Nina Clarke: ᴍᴀʏᴏʀ, ᴀᴜsᴛɪɴ ᴛx & sʜʏ ʙʟᴏʙ (commonlaw) wrote in remains_rpg, @ 2016-06-18 22:53:00 |
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Upon inheriting the position of Mayor, Nina had also inherited the office. It was still full of his things, too, files and pictures and a surprising amount of clutter on the shelves and desk. Despite the post-apocalyptic nature of their society, the man had also managed to impose a coordinated -- yet, in her eyes, unattractive -- design scheme throughout the office, from the carpet to the curtains and the upholstery on the chairs. She'd spent a good portion of the previous evening cleaning it out, packing the unnecessary things into boxes and beginning to go through the files and reports Olinger had kept. That morning, before the two police officers were set to arrive at the office, she'd done more of the same. By the time that she had company, Nina was pleased to say that the place looked a little bit less like his, a little bit more like hers. It was a start. -- NINA: Lieutenant, Sergeant. Thank you for meeting with me, this morning. [she gestures to two chairs, both taken from the Department of Justice to replace the ones she'd removed the night before.] Please, have a seat. Would you like water? JOEL: No, thanks. [he takes a seat in one of the empty chairs, and sprawls a little, out of habit] I appreciate you asking. [it’s a subtle dig at the methods the US Government used recently] JANE: [hesitates, clearly uncomfortable with the formality and gravitas of the situation, but eventually acquiesces to sit on the edge of the proffered chair. She perches with legs slightly apart, elbows propped up on knees, fingers threaded together.] S’no problem and nah, I’m okay. Thanks, though. NINA: Sure. [she pours herself a glass of water, leaving the pitcher in the center of the desk should either of her guests change their minds.] JANE: So, what do we call you now? Miss Clarke? Miss Mayor? Mayor Clarke? Anything I called the last Mayor can’t really be said in polite company and isn’t applicable any longer, thank Christ. NINA: [the pause before her response, coupled with her tone, make it clear she's as unused to this as they are.] My given name is fine, thank you. But I suppose if you'll be discussing me with the others, the title should be used. JANE: [nods] I can handle that. [Jane looks around the office, noticing the change in decor from the last time she’d been in the office when it had been Olinger’s. The uncluttered, bare bones look of the still-moving-in Mayor Clarke was, in Jane’s opinion, a huge improvement over the busy, fugly aesthetic Olinger had favored.] Nice digs. Looks better in here already. NINA: Thank you. [she takes a sip of her water.] I appreciate your noticing. JANE: If you're ever thinking about going with a beach theme in here, I know a man with a kiddie pool. [The familiarity between the cops and the new Mayor slips out before Jane can check herself. She clears her throat and veers back to the subject at hand.] So, uh, your text mentioned something about policies? JOEL: Hey now, that kiddie pool’s been claimed. [he interjects with a barely suppressed laugh] I have to say, mentioning policies raised my interest. What are you thinking? NINA: [an amused look had crossed her face at the remark about the kiddie pool, but she too suppressed it in favor of responsibility.] If you'll pardon the brief digression, before we talk policies we'll need to talk staffing and who'll be responsible for determining said policies. As you know, we're now short a Chief. From what I can tell, none of the force were quite as in cahoots with Olinger as he was, but there's still the question of whether loyalty to Austin's growth is present among the entirety of the APD, or if there's anyone who'll need disciplinary measures. [she pauses, her eyes glancing back and forth between the two cops in front of her.] As you also know, I've had my own concerns about certain APD members. But this isn't about me; this is about the city and what's best for it. JANE: I gotta admit, you’re not exactly alone in wondering whether or not all our coworkers are entirely on the level. [glances at Joel] I know both Joel and myself have shared concerns privately amongst ourselves about certain officers but I think, for the most part, any balls that were dropped by the APD were due corrupt leadership, personal incompetence and all around stupidity rather than outright malice or subversiveness. Just to make myself clear, I’m sure as hell not making excuses for them. It’s just, we know these guys. They’re not as shitty as they could have been, which I know isn’t a glowing recommendation, but it is what it is. I think with a strong, honest, upstanding leader, they could live up to the potential they ought to have been doing this whole time. [elbows Joel in the side] “Not as shitty as we could have been”: new APD tagline? Think about it. JOEL: [he laughs, a short barely audible sound] That’ll instill real confidence in the population. [his words are wry] But, if you have some authority in naming the next person to the job, Jane and I will do our best to back whoever that is up, and help bring the department back on a level that’s more on the level of a healthy police force. NINA: I do have the authority, yes. [she pauses, looking back and forth between the again, before she continues:] And part of this meeting today was to ascertain both of your interest in taking on some new positions within the force and in Austin as a whole. I suppose I'll start with the most relevant: Joel, we feel you'd be an excellent candidate to take up the mantle of Chief. [she holds a hand up, anticipating immediate responses and staving them off.] No partnerships are being dismantled out in the field, for the record; I'm not interested in making things more difficult where they already are. But we need a leader who can be trusted, and I know of no one better. JANE: [looks at Joel, looks back at Nina, and then back to Joel] Holy shit. I mean, you’re right. There’s nobody more upstanding than my partner here. [clearly thrilled for her partner, she punches Joel’s shoulder affectionately] What do you think, Joel? Do you want to be head honcho? JOEL: You're sure about it? [It’s not a no, but he knows the kind of responsibility that comes with the title. He’d never wanted it before] NINA: [she smiles, wryly.] No, I'm just bringing it up for fun. JOEL: It's not something I would have jumped at if the offer was on the table for everyone. [he stops and looks at Jane, then back at Nina] I’ll be honest, I’m not a natural leader. But if you’ve got enough faith to think I can't fuck it up any worse than the last guy, guess I can’t say no. NINA: You really know to sell yourself. JOEL: [he shrugs] Must’ve missed that day at the academy. NINA: [her gaze shifts over to Jane.] Do you think he can handle it? JANE: [Jane laughs through her wide grin; she’s inordinately pleased and proud of her partner] I mean, I think we know I’m super biased on this matter. Joel keeps a cool head, he doesn't take anybody’s shit, he’s loyal as hell, and he practically bleeds blue. His co-workers respect his work ethic, his shrewd and thoughtful opinion and the fact that he will fight for them no matter what. I know if you ask the lowest rookie up to the highest stuffed shirt in the APD, they’d all tell you they’d all tell you they’d follow this guy to the ends of the earth and back again. Would Joel make a great Chief? Abso-fucking-lutely. [unembarrassed at doling out the effusive praise, Jane beams] JOEL: I wouldn’t go as far as saying everyone. [Joel corrected with a wry smile] You can dial the praise back a hair or two, Rusten, you’re not getting anything for making me look good. [the look he shoots her is still pretty entertained, before he looks back at Nina] I get to choose my own people? I’ll understand if that’s not how this is going to work, but I’d be more comfortable doing it myself than letting some board do it for me. NINA: Oh, yes. [the look she gives him is expectant.] You'll need to submit your recommendations for approval, but I'm not interested in putting a fresh coat of paint on a broken-down house and calling it brand new. JOEL: Sounds good. Just wanted to start from the same page. NINA: All right. Now that that's settled, there is one more thing to discuss. We're also going to be reworking the city council so it's more of an accurate representation of Austin as a whole. Eight people from the Capitol making decisions for the entire city never sat right to me then, and it sure doesn't now. That said, we will need a Capitol representative on the council, and when I got to thinking about an interim individual I thought you might be a good fit, Sergeant. [her gaze shifts over to Jane.] No final decisions need to be made now; the council won't begin to meet until July. But in the meantime, I'd like for you to consider it and, if you have any questions on how it may work, please feel free to ask me. JANE: [clearly dumbfounded, Jane blinks at Nina for a few beats before responding] Uh...wow. I didn't know what I was expecting but it certainly wasn't that. I'm honored you’d think of me and frankly, really, really surprised. I don’t know if I’ve ever considered myself particularly diplomatic or political and I’ll definitely put some questions about the position together when I can finally pick my jaw up off the floor, if that’s alright with you. [looks to Joel; she’s out of her element, floundering a bit, and Joel’s familiar mug works as a reminder of who she is] In the meanwhile, I’ll give your offer a lot of thought and get back to you with a formal answer? NINA: That's fine. Again, there's no rush on this at this point in time. I just appreciate your considering the position. And to be frank, I don't think any of the people on the council will have had prior diplomatic or political experience, so you certainly wouldn't be the odd woman out. JANE: [chuckles with relief] Well I’m not sure if that’s either a really great idea or a really terrible one but I do know that I trust you, and your judgment. We’ll just play it all by ear. It’s all we can do, really. We’re all brand spanking new at this, we’ll learn together. Right, Chief? [Jane nudges Joel’s shoulder with her own] JOEL: [he only exhales an exasperated kind of noise at the new title. It’s going to take a while to get used to] NINA: Exactly. [an amused expression crosses her face briefly before she tamps it down, forcing her features into something much more serious.] May I remind you, Sergeant, that I lack prior political experience as well. JANE: [blinks once, twice, and then shrugs] Well, you’re doing a helluva job faking it, Mayor. From where I’m sitting, it looks like you were made for this office. JOEL: Better than the last guy, at least. [he’s reserving some of his confidence until they’ve been tested a little more] NINA: [reaches for her water and takes another sip.] Thank you. JOEL: Who else is sitting on the council? Might be good to know the people Rusten’s most likely to piss off. NINA: I don't have final confirmations yet, but leaders from UMCB, LBJ, and the Greenbelt will all be present. I'll be there, schedules permitting, too. And my liaison from Denver, Ms. van Eeden. You both will meet her in due time, I'm sure. JOEL: [he raises his eyebrows] The Greenbelt? You mean a Hellhound? NINA: Yes. [her gaze is unwavering.] If you recall, the purpose of democracy is to ensure people are represented by their own. JOEL: All I wanted was clarification. If they’re willing to sit at the table, I’m not disputing their presence. JANE: [Jane’s expression has gone dark; obviously, this was not something she had considered] So, you’re telling me you’re going to sit me at a table with convicted felons, cop killers, and expect me to keep a civil tongue? [Jane sucks air through her teeth, barely keeping her shit together] NINA: One representative, Rusten. Unless you consider LBJ's leader an accomplice. JOEL: Jane. [he warns, even though he’s banking on not having to reign his partner in from an argument with their new mayor.] JANE: I said I’d think about the position and I will. And out of respect for you and this office, that’s all I’ll say about it right now. [Looks between Nina and Joel] Are we done here or is there more to discuss? NINA: Thank you. I know this is difficult. [takes a deep breath to steady herself and refrain from saying anything more on the subject.] Yes, there's a bit more. The policies to implement once we begin leaving the shelters for the rest of Austin. JANE: [still bristling, but knowing it’s neither the time nor the place to address her indignation, moves past it] Let’s get to it, then. |