Chapter 35: In the Heat of the Moment
The next morning. Pardi messaged Collingswaggle, informing him they needed to meet urgently. Within the hour, Collingswaggle arrived at Pardi’s office.
‘What’s so urgent that we couldn’t discuss in a video call or at your home tonight?’ asked Collingswaggle.
‘The plan was to get nine Business Sector guys in Government,’ said Pardi.
‘Actually, it looks more like seven Business Sector guys and two Business Sector girls,’ replied Collingswaggle jokingly.
‘We need to change that target to eight,’ said Pardi.
‘It has to be nine to give us absolute control,’ replied Collingswaggle.
‘That is true, but everyone will know that gives us absolute control. That will work against us at the General Election,’ said Pardi.
‘So you are suggesting we try and get an independent in Government,’ said Collingswaggle. ‘Therefore, by creating the illusion, we do not have full control.’
‘No, still not believable,’ replied Pardi.
‘Then what?’ asked Collingswaggle with a hint of frustration in his voice.
‘We allow four governors aligned with the House of Divine Knowledge,’ said Pardi.
‘That’s insane. They will block everything. I doubt the representatives will support us every time,’ replied Collingswaggle angrily.
‘I made a deal with Lily,’ said Pardi.
‘That is the worst thing you could have done,’ replied Collingswaggle as he slapped his thigh hard.
‘We have the upper hand in this deal. Trust me,’ said Pardi.
‘Lily doesn’t make deals unless it is in her best interest,’ said Collingswaggle. ‘Her best interests conflict with ours.’
‘She is the biological aunt of my two daughters. I know how to play her,’ replied Pardi.
‘Your daughters are dangerous, and they are only children,’ said Collingswaggle. ‘Imagine what they could do when they are adults. Well, Lily is that adult.’
‘Come over tonight. We can discuss our strategy in the privacy of my home,’ said Pardi.
That evening. Collingswaggle arrived at Pardi’s house. The twins opened the door.
‘Hey Collingswaggle, we’re having a burrito party night,’ said Yassmay.
‘That sounds like fun. Did you make me a burrito?’ asked Collingswaggle.
‘No, but we have lots of extras. You can help yourself,’ said Yassme.
‘That’s so sweet of you,’ replied Collingswaggle.
The girls led Collingswaggle to the dining room. Pardi had his strategy map laid out on the table. Next to that was a plate of burritos.
Collingswaggle looked at the map. ‘By the looks of the colour scheme. It seems like you are committed to just pushing for eight governors,’ said Collingswaggle disapprovingly.
‘With Lily on our side, it will be like having nine,’ replied Pardi.
Collingswaggle reached over and began rubbing Pardi’s face.
‘What the hell are you doing?’ asked Pardi sharply.
‘I assumed you were an imposter, and I was trying to remove your mask,’ replied Collingswaggle in a frustrated tone. ‘I now believe you are a victim of some sort of witchcraft.’
‘Just calm down. I know what I’m doing,’ said Pardi as he placed his hand on Collingswaggle’s shoulder.
‘Mind if I grab a burrito, they smell good?’ asked Collingswaggle.
‘Help yourself,’ said Pardi.
Collingswaggle picked up a burrito, and he took a huge bite. He began chewing. A few seconds later, he started gasping for breath. His eyes became bloodshot, and his face turned bright red. He quickly got up and ran to the bathroom. He put his head under the tap while turning the water on full blast.
Pardi quickly followed him. He turned the shower on full blast and shut the door. Collingswaggle fell on his back in the shower as the water sprayed into his mouth. He mumbled something incoherently.
Pardi got on the floor. He whispered something in his ear. Collingswaggle continued to gasp. Pardi ran out of the bathroom. He returned with a bowl of sugar. He poured some into Collingswaggle’s mouth. Collingswaggle regained his composure. He sat up. He was soaking wet.
‘Feeling better?’ asked Pardi.
‘Much better,’ said Collingswaggle.
They left the bathroom to head back to the dining room. They could hear the twins giggling in the next room.
‘Enough fun and games. Time to get serious,’ said Pardi loudly.
Collingswaggle looked at the map again. ‘Maybe this strategy isn’t so bad after all,’ said Collingswaggle.
‘I doubt the spice gave you a change of heart,’ said Pardi.
‘No, it just cleared my head. I should thank your girls,’ said Collingswaggle as he grinned.
Pardi noticed Collingswaggle was glancing at the name ‘Jallelle’. ‘I don’t think you’re smiling because you support this new plan,’ said Pardi.
‘Seems like you just want to pick a fight,’ said Collingswaggle. ‘Nothing I say seems to please you.’
‘You’re not telling me something,’ said Pardi.
Collingswaggle shrugged his shoulders.
‘You’re smiling because you know this plan isn’t going to work,’ probed Pardi.
‘You're right; it’s not going to work,’ replied Collingswaggle in a smug tone. ‘The wheels have been set in motion. We’re getting nine governors. You should be happy.’
‘How popular is Jallelle?’ asked Pardi.
‘Reasonably, she was elected as a governor,’ replied Collingswaggle.
‘Cella, give me the most recent polling for Jallelle?’ called out Pardi.
Cella was a prototype artificial intelligence system designed by the Carvaress Company. Her primary role was to answer any questions using information found on the web.
The television screen was turned on in the dining room. The results of four recent polls were displayed. Three polls were very good, and one was very bad. The only poll taken since the vote of ‘no confidence’ was very bad.
‘Did you know about this?’ asked Pardi as he turned to Collingswaggle.
‘Yeah, but only a few hours ago,’ replied Collingswaggle.
‘Well, I’ll need to let Lily know that she needs to push support behind someone else,’ said Pardi.
‘Lily and Jallelle are great friends. Asking her to go against Jallelle would only antagonise her,’ said Collingswaggle.
‘Awesome, I’ll do exactly that,’ replied Pardi sarcastically. ‘After all, what can we do to stop the wheels once they’re in motion?’
‘I’m done with your nonsense,’ said Collingswaggle as he headed to the front door to leave the apartment. ‘We can take care of things from here. Don’t call me until you come to your senses.’
‘Good riddance to him,’ said Yassme.
Pardi turned to Yassme. ‘Well done with those burritos,’ he told her.
Lily was sitting in her hot tub, sipping pineapple juice. She had heard everything from the meeting. She was scrolling through the most recent polls on her phone. She looked at Jallelle’s polling for a few seconds before scrolling to look at a few other candidates. She stopped at a representative named Maria. ‘You’ll do nicely,’ she said to herself.
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