Post by RICHARD PLANTAGENET on Jun 2, 2011 16:01:39 GMT -5
Another new beginning. Only this time the glory wasn’t his to revel in. It hadn’t lasted, as he had assured himself it would. But it wasn’t just that fact that was irking Richard Plantagenet. No, it was the fact that Hector Tormei was taking his place. Hector Tormei, mob boss. Hector Tormei who, if he felt like it, could very easily ruin him. Not that he already hadn't.
When the results had been announced the press had had a field day. Those who were more on Richard’s side mourned the end of the Plantagenet era of mayoralty, but the majority were on the side of Tormei and the new beginning he would bring. Despite there being a majority in Tormei’s camp the result of the election had been a close one; despite Richard’s evident unpopularity his family’s experience in office had been a blessing. However, this advantage wasn’t significant enough to keep him in power.
“You may have got the top spot, Rickyboy, but you won’t have it for much longer. Pride before fall, as the old saying goes.”
The words of Edward’s ghost (if indeed it had been a ghost and not a figment of Richard’s overly stressed mind) still rang in his ears long after they had been said (or imagined), even now when he was preparing for his final speech as New York’s Mayor. He wanted to forget them, but he couldn’t. The fact they were ringing true was too un-nerving. How could this have happened…after all he’d done?
He made his way haltingly up to the microphone festooned podium he’d stood at so many times before, greeting officials he passed with a handshake and a smile. Hector stood to the side, all set to make his inauguration speech once Richard had said his piece. This made Richard want to drag his own speech on as long as possible, to avoid the inevitable moment of handing over his power, but knew Hector would see right through this.
The mayor turned at last to face the crowd who’d turned out to watch the spectacle in person, duly noting expressions both triumphant and disappointed. Attempting to quell his own feelings he focussed on keeping up his act, afraid to let it slip as ever, but even more so than before. Recent events had shaken him, and Richard clearly wasn’t himself.
“Ladies and gentlemen, as many have noted in these past few days, we have come to the end of an era. But as one age ends, so another begins –Hector Tormei is this new age. Change can be for good or ill, but in this case I believe the former rings true.”
He hated how these words sounded; calm acceptance of defeat, praise of Tormei…this didn’t sound at all right, not coming from him. But he couldn’t exactly express his true feelings – not now, not ever.
“It is a great honour for me to be standing here today, not due to my position but due to the man who shall soon obtain it. I believe Mr. Tormei to be the right choice, a step in the right direction for this city. I have made many mistakes during my time in office and, although I’m not insinuating Mr. Tormei won’t, I’m certain that he won’t follow in my footsteps and make the same mistakes I did.”
He noted a few disapproving glances and nods at this and inwardly winced. That hadn’t sounded right. Not that any of this sounded right to him. But since when was he unable to impart a coherent speech?
“During the time my party has been in this position, New York has undergone great changes and upheaval. As Mr. Tormei himself has said, a rift has formed between the government and people of this city. Myself and those before me have attempted to solve this problem with limited success but I believe your new mayor will be able to do more.”
Of course he would be able to. Hector was a man who had the entire underworld of New York under his thumb, at least it seemed that way to Richard. He may have had years of experience in politics and fought in a war, but when faced with a man like Hector, a mafioso who had turned his attentions to the political spectrum…it was clear even without his new title that Hector had the upper hand.
“You may have got the top spot, Rickyboy, but you won’t have it for much longer. Pride before fall, as the old saying goes.”
“It therefore gives me great pride and pleasure to confer the position of Mayor of New York City upon Hector Tormei and to wish him success in governing this fair city.”
A triumphant roar from the crowd as Hector stepped forward to shake Richard’s hand. Richard’s smile didn’t quite meet his eyes and he was certain Hector saw this, but he gave no indication of it as he stood at the podium to begin his speech.
Richard stepped back to watch as Hector began to speak, but he found he wasn’t really paying attention the man’s words. He was more concerned with the voices inside his own head, the voice of his conscience and the voice of his deceased brother, refusing to be silent, as though trying to outdo each other.
Pride before fall.
Pride before fall.
Pride before fall.
When the results had been announced the press had had a field day. Those who were more on Richard’s side mourned the end of the Plantagenet era of mayoralty, but the majority were on the side of Tormei and the new beginning he would bring. Despite there being a majority in Tormei’s camp the result of the election had been a close one; despite Richard’s evident unpopularity his family’s experience in office had been a blessing. However, this advantage wasn’t significant enough to keep him in power.
“You may have got the top spot, Rickyboy, but you won’t have it for much longer. Pride before fall, as the old saying goes.”
The words of Edward’s ghost (if indeed it had been a ghost and not a figment of Richard’s overly stressed mind) still rang in his ears long after they had been said (or imagined), even now when he was preparing for his final speech as New York’s Mayor. He wanted to forget them, but he couldn’t. The fact they were ringing true was too un-nerving. How could this have happened…after all he’d done?
He made his way haltingly up to the microphone festooned podium he’d stood at so many times before, greeting officials he passed with a handshake and a smile. Hector stood to the side, all set to make his inauguration speech once Richard had said his piece. This made Richard want to drag his own speech on as long as possible, to avoid the inevitable moment of handing over his power, but knew Hector would see right through this.
The mayor turned at last to face the crowd who’d turned out to watch the spectacle in person, duly noting expressions both triumphant and disappointed. Attempting to quell his own feelings he focussed on keeping up his act, afraid to let it slip as ever, but even more so than before. Recent events had shaken him, and Richard clearly wasn’t himself.
“Ladies and gentlemen, as many have noted in these past few days, we have come to the end of an era. But as one age ends, so another begins –Hector Tormei is this new age. Change can be for good or ill, but in this case I believe the former rings true.”
He hated how these words sounded; calm acceptance of defeat, praise of Tormei…this didn’t sound at all right, not coming from him. But he couldn’t exactly express his true feelings – not now, not ever.
“It is a great honour for me to be standing here today, not due to my position but due to the man who shall soon obtain it. I believe Mr. Tormei to be the right choice, a step in the right direction for this city. I have made many mistakes during my time in office and, although I’m not insinuating Mr. Tormei won’t, I’m certain that he won’t follow in my footsteps and make the same mistakes I did.”
He noted a few disapproving glances and nods at this and inwardly winced. That hadn’t sounded right. Not that any of this sounded right to him. But since when was he unable to impart a coherent speech?
“During the time my party has been in this position, New York has undergone great changes and upheaval. As Mr. Tormei himself has said, a rift has formed between the government and people of this city. Myself and those before me have attempted to solve this problem with limited success but I believe your new mayor will be able to do more.”
Of course he would be able to. Hector was a man who had the entire underworld of New York under his thumb, at least it seemed that way to Richard. He may have had years of experience in politics and fought in a war, but when faced with a man like Hector, a mafioso who had turned his attentions to the political spectrum…it was clear even without his new title that Hector had the upper hand.
“You may have got the top spot, Rickyboy, but you won’t have it for much longer. Pride before fall, as the old saying goes.”
“It therefore gives me great pride and pleasure to confer the position of Mayor of New York City upon Hector Tormei and to wish him success in governing this fair city.”
A triumphant roar from the crowd as Hector stepped forward to shake Richard’s hand. Richard’s smile didn’t quite meet his eyes and he was certain Hector saw this, but he gave no indication of it as he stood at the podium to begin his speech.
Richard stepped back to watch as Hector began to speak, but he found he wasn’t really paying attention the man’s words. He was more concerned with the voices inside his own head, the voice of his conscience and the voice of his deceased brother, refusing to be silent, as though trying to outdo each other.
Pride before fall.
Pride before fall.
Pride before fall.
