Chapter 22: The Race to the Palace Begins
Waldo had several meetings with all the chiefs across the continent. He won most of them over in the initial meeting. However, some chiefs were stubborn and did not want to risk their positions for what they thought was nothing. Eventually these chiefs caved to pressure. They knew if the other chiefs stood for election and they did not, they would be perceived negatively, and they could be forced into an election. Under these circumstances, the odds would not be so strongly in their favour.
Three weeks later, a stage was set up outside Waldo’s palace in the Capital City. There was a podium in the centre of the stage. Eleven chairs had been lined up across the stage behind the podium. These chairs were for the visiting district chiefs.
Yensid Media was covering the event exclusively. They had several cameras set up to capture the event from different angles. For this event, there was only a small live audience consisting of the family members of the chiefs. However, the event would have enormous reach as it was to be covered by both television and radio.
Waldo was going to make an announcement declaring elections in every district in Sapey. He was going to declare formally the districts of Sapey as democracies.
The students from the schools gathered to watch the announcement on a large television set up at one of the campuses. Joan had organised the event. She hoped this would be an historic day and victory for her cause. However, she deeply distrusted Waldo. She believed it to be some kind of ruse.
The eleven chiefs walked on stage to take their seats. Once they were seated, the broadcast of the announcement began. Music began to blare out. A few moments later, Waldo strutted out on stage. He was wearing his favourite purple robes and a pink and white striped top hat. Just before standing at the podium, Waldo did a little dance. Finally, he stood in position to begin his speech.
‘Friends!’ he shouted. ‘You heard me right. I consider all of you my friends. I care very deeply about how all of you feel. That’s why today’s announcement is so important.’
The audience began to clap loudly. Yensid Media turned the volume up to the maximum so that it sounded incredibly loud.
‘The protest from a few weeks back greatly moved me,’ said Waldo as his head bobbled up and down slightly. ‘Our young people are correct. Our civilisation has matured to a point where its citizens have become capable of choosing their own leaders and Government.’
The audience applauded, and it was again amplified.
Joan turned to Sally and said, ‘Wait for it. He’s going to announce elections where only his family and friends are allowed to vote.’
Sally grinned while shaking her head slightly.
‘Four months from today we will have elections,’ said Waldo as he pointed his finger at the camera. ‘These elections will be open to every adult in the land. Candidates have two months to announce their candidacy. This will be followed by a two-month election campaign period.’
Joan and Sally turned to each other and screamed. They grabbed each other and jumped up and down. The other students erupted in excitement.
‘I know most of you believe I’m the most fabulous chief of all time,’ said Waldo as he lifted his hat up and down. ‘I want you to know I’m not abandoning you. Today, I officially announce my candidacy in the Capital City election. Behind me are the chiefs from the other eleven districts. They too will announce their candidacy.’
Waldo stood back from the podium. He pumped his fist into the air three times. Presumably as a gesture to indicate that he was Waldo the Third. Waldo then swaggered off the stage as the other chiefs approached the podium to announce their candidacy.
James scurried over to Waldo with his arms outstretched. ‘That was an amazing speech,’ said James with excitement. ‘You sounded like a true leader, and you looked fabulous.’
‘This is just the tip of the iceberg,’ said Waldo with a great look of determination on his face. ‘I’m not only going to be the greatest leader in Sapey’s history. I’m going to be a spectacle, a marvel, the ultimate celebrity.’
‘What’s ironic is that you are using Alset’s technology to amplify your greatness,’ said James as he clutched his fist.
‘First they gave me the technology, and now they have given me the reason to put myself on display,’ chuckled Waldo as he pranced back into his palace.
The next day, James and Jeff went to visit Saliyah at her house on the outskirts of the Capital City. Ryan had moved in with her. He had daily physiotherapy. He was making great progress. He was able to walk unassisted.
Saliyah was sitting in the garden drinking pineapple juice with her best friend and fellow celebrity, Ginger.
‘How are my two favourite celebrity performers doing today?’ asked James as he approached them.
They both giggled.
‘I heard the great news about Ryan,’ said Jeff as he pulled up a chair and sat next to Ginger. James sat next to Saliyah.
‘He’s so strong and so determined,’ said Saliyah. ‘He got off the crutches two weeks ahead of the plan.’
‘There’s no need to rush things,’ said Jeff firmly. ‘It is better to think of his long-term condition.’
‘He believes he will be able to play again next season,’ said Saliyah. ‘I can’t bear to see him put himself through such risks.’
Ginger put her arm around Saliyah.
‘Ryan is remarkable in every sense of the word,’ said James confidently. ‘I would not be surprised if he completely defied the odds and came back better than ever.’
Ginger gave James an angry scowl as she shook her head.
‘Speak of the legend, and he shall appear,’ said Jeff as Ryan, his physiotherapist, and the camera crew that had been documenting his recovery approached them.
‘Hey Ryan, you’re looking great,’ called out James as he grabbed the pomelo on the table. ‘Show them you still have the magic.’ James tossed the pomelo towards Ryan.
Ryan reached forward to grab it, but as his hands touched the pomelo, he screamed out in pain and fell to the ground.
‘Damn it, James,’ shouted Jeff as he rushed over to Ryan. Saliyah and Ginger got up as well.
‘I’m fine. I’m okay,’ grimaced Ryan as Jeff and the physiotherapist gently helped him to his feet. They assisted him over to a chair at the table.
‘This is what I have been worried about for a while,’ said the physiotherapist. ‘Jeff has been kind enough to provide me with several hours of footage from your games. It is very obvious from the films that you place tremendous strain on your tendons and ligaments when you make catches, change direction, and even accelerate downfield.’
‘Don’t tell me you’re wasting my time,’ said Ryan as he looked angrily at the physiotherapist.
‘The most important thing is that you get better,’ said Saliyah firmly. ‘Your health is more important than Pound Ball.’
‘Your leg can heal to the point you can have a normal and pain-free life,’ said the physiotherapist. ‘However, if you play Pound Ball, there are no guarantees. A rough or badly timed tackle and you could be seriously hurt. The next time around, we might not be able to heal you.’
‘When a door closes, a window opens,’ said James as he placed his hand on Ryan’s shoulder.
‘Excuse me, sir. May I say something?’ asked one of the camera crew.
‘Sure, but make it quick,’ snapped James.
‘I’ve been filming your recovery for weeks,’ said the crewmember. ‘Every day, I see you push past the pain. One more step, two more steps, you keep going. I see the veins in your neck and the look in your eyes. I’m inspired. You make me want to do better in my life.’
‘It all means nothing if I fail,’ said Ryan as tears rolled down his face.
‘You have not failed,’ said James firmly. ‘You’re too good for Pound Ball. Your true calling is to lead and inspire others. This guy is another example of that.’
‘You inspire me every day,’ said Saliyah as she put her arms on Ryan’s shoulders. ‘I’ve become so much more because of you.’
‘I’m feeling inspired right now,’ said Ginger as she jumped to her feet. ‘I don’t know how or why it’s like magic.’
‘Your true calling is leadership,’ said James as he looked intently into Ryan’s eyes. ‘If you do not embrace that, you would have failed. Seize the moment; declare your candidacy in the Capital City election. Lead our great city like you led the Scarecrows to the most spectacular Grand Final victory of all time.’
Ryan looked around at the table. Everyone was nodding in agreement. He stopped and turned to Saliyah.
‘Would you support me if I ran to be the new Chief?’ asked Ryan as he looked into her eyes.
‘With all my heart,’ said Saliyah as tears formed in her eyes.
Ryan looked back at James and nodded his head.
That night James arrived home. He was in great spirits. He could not help himself. He suddenly broke out into a song. He grabbed a broomstick and pretended it was a microphone. He jumped on and off the sofa, belting out the words to his favourite Saliyah song.
Suddenly, the light in the corner of the room went on. Sitting in the chair next to the light was the female that James had met outside the palace.
James had become closely acquainted with her over the past couple of years. However, he did not know her name, and it seemed neither did anyone else. She insisted on keeping it a secret. She sometimes identified herself as the Hat Lady. She loved to wear colourful and fanciful hats.
‘I couldn’t put up with the din,’ said the Hat Lady in an unimpressed tone. ‘Please leave the singing of this song to Saliyah.’
‘How did you get in?’ insisted James.
‘Let’s just say the door was closed, but a window was left open,’ she smugly replied.
‘I hope you are enjoying my performance,’ said James as he put the broom down. ‘I’m playing 3D, no 4D chess, and everyone else is still learning to play checkers.’
‘Hahaha,’ laughed the Hat Lady. ‘You talk like it is all you. Intelligence wears off, while arrogance is forever.’
‘My, time really flies when we’re having fun,’ said James with an awkward smile. ‘Is it already that time of the month again?’
The Hat Lady opened the bag placed next to her chair. She pulled out a vial containing a blue liquid.
‘You are too smug,’ said the Hat Lady as she began to fill a syringe with the blue liquid. ‘Your intelligence and your cunning all come from this little bottle. Without it, you’re so very ordinary. Without me, you wouldn’t have this. So please, show some humility.’
James rolled up his sleeve and said, ‘Give me a top-up. My brain has some real heavy lifting to do.’
The Hat Lady aggressively stuck the needle into his arm.
‘Ouch!’ yelped James. ‘You used to be so much gentler.’
She shrugged her shoulders as she put the empty vial and the syringe back in her bag.
‘So, are you back on the broomstick to Carrington?’ asked James as he rolled down his sleeve.
‘Ohh, you are the charmer,’ she replied. ‘No, I’ll be spending another week here. So many sights to see. Besides, the boss is too busy exploring tunnels to notice I’m not there.’
‘Let’s meet up for dinner tomorrow night,’ said James as he winked at her.
‘Goodbye, James,’ said the Hat Lady as she walked into the darkness of the hallway.
‘At least let me show you out,’ said James as he ran into the hallway. He flipped the light on, but she was gone.
Sapien Loop: End of an Era
Sapien Loop: Frozen in Time is the sequel to the book Sapien Loop: End of an Era. Sapien Loop: End of an Era is available on Amazon, in collection series on my @spectrumecons account, and in individual chapters in my @captainhive account.
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