I started writing this several weeks ago after binge watching the first two season of The West Wing. My intention is to continue with several short chapters, each a vignette of Oliver's term as Mayor. It may only be a few chapters or it may turn into something a little longer, who knows.
STAR CITY ELECTS FORMER PLAYBOY AS MAYOR
Lucy Emmerstein, blogger
Huffington Post
Posted: May 26, 2016 11:34:05 Updated: May 26, 2016 13:15:44
During what can only be described as a highly charged political year here in the U.S. some smaller and lesser known candidates for public office have caught the attention of this author.
Take for instance the mayoral race in Star City, Washington, a city that in four short years was the victim of not only a manmade earthquake but three terrorist attacks and has had not one but three former mayor's fall at the hands of said attackers. This is a city where a name change and a masked vigilante couldn't stop the flow of crime from invading its streets, from families fleeing for the sunnier disposition of its prom queen neighbour , Central City, or stem the tide of failing businesses from shutting up shop and laying off workers.
So, when former billionaire playboy and renowned party-boy Oliver Queen threw his hat in the political arena last fall in an attempt to 'save his city' many – this author included – were skeptical.
For those readers unfamiliar with Mr. Queen, he is the only son of the late Robert & Moira Queen, a four-time college dropout, and a one-time darling of the paparazzi before a tragic accident stranded him on an island in the North China Sea from where he was finally rescued five years later. Since his return to the then named Starling City, he has appeared in public intoxicated, opened a night club in the roughest part of town and even took a turn as CEO of his family's company, Queen Consolidated, before losing everything (including most of his personal wealth) after a serious of bad business decisions.
Despite his rugged good looks, obvious charm and former status as a darling of the upper echelon of Star City society this author had to wonder at Mr. Queen's true intentions after his mayoral candidacy was announced. The speeches were good, his appearances plenty – the man rocked a tux at the policeman's benefit – even his personal life became fodder for the local headlines when only hours after surviving a kidnapping attempt his girlfriend quickly changed her status to finance after saying "yes" during an idyllic Christmas Tree lighting ceremony.
Needless to say many were shocked when Mr. Queen dropped out of the race a few short months into the New Year and publicly endorsed his opponent. However, we were barely left with a moment to consider the why's when he was suddenly back in and going full steam ahead to a landslide victory in last night's election. Not only did Mr. Queen win by a considerable margin, he did so with a 73% of the popular vote, a number rarely seen even in local politics.
Mr. Queen's time in office will be fraught with turbulence and crucial decisions needing his undivided attention – a crumbling local economy, a police force in desperate need of overhaul, a fire department steeped in scandal, a dismal lack of attractions meant to lure tourists and a city hall with a year's' worth of paperwork laying incomplete.
So, now that Star City has yet another new mayor, a young inexperienced one with little to recommend him and a history of bad choices, this author wants to know, what does he do first?
Inquiring mind wants to know.
"Throwing the first pitch at a baseball game?"
Felicity tried to keep the incredulity out of her voice but, really, how was she expected to when her finance, the newly elected mayor of Star City had just informed her that his first act would be to throw a ball.
Seriously?
"Well, it is the Rockets," Digg deadpanned, one eyebrow and a corner of his mouth lifting, threatening to betray him.
Felicity threw up her hands in frustration. The fascination with baseball, Oliver's fascination with it, was something she would never understand. She would rather connect to the internet using dial-up than be forced to endure another baseball game.
"Digg's right, Felicity," Thea interrupted, her new position as Oliver's press secretary evident in her tone and posture. "Besides it's sending a positive message to the public. Something we need to maintain now that the threat of HIVE has been eliminated."
If she looked skeptical at Thea's words it was hardly surprising. She swung her attention back to Oliver.
"Is this really about the public or more about fulfilling some adolescent fantasy?"
Oliver shrugged and attempted to appear apologetic for using the opportunity to his own advantage. "Why can't it be both?" Despite what she perceived as his idiocy she didn't pull away when he grasped her hands and squeezed ever so reassuringly. "Listen, it's a simple pitch at a baseball game. I throw the ball, shake hands with the team and get to spend a few hours relaxing in the owner's box watching the game. After everything we've been through recently, don't we deserve this?"
Felicity eyebrows shot up at his use of the word we. We did deserve an afternoon of fun. We did deserve to not have to worry about people trying to kill them. But we didn't all like baseball. She tolerated it for his sake.
"Okay so maybe we wasn't the right thing to say," he conceded.
"You think?"
"Felicity…" he started.
She shook her head. "No, you're right. If throwing a ball in front of a couple thousand people and in front of live TV makes you happy, then well…I'm happy." Even if it meant an afternoon at the ballpark with bad hot dogs, the smell of stale beear and Oliver out of his seat every time his team was at bat.
The grin on his face was so wide it threatened to split his face in two.
"Of course it doesn't hurt that the Rockets are playing Central City," Thea added with a smirk. "Their mayor called this morning to suggest a friendly wager."
Felicity frowned. A wager between rival mayors didn't sound all that friendly to her. "Please tell me you didn't do anything stupid?"
Oliver opened his mouth to speak but quickly changed whatever direction he'd about to go in and tilted his head in response. "What makes you say that?"
She snorted. "Because I have a master's degree from the Oliver Queen School of Bad Decisions [LP2] and personal experience tells me you did something you're going to regret."
He smiled at her ruefully before leaning in and placing a swift gentle kiss on her disapproving mouth. "It's a simple wager. What could possibly go wrong?"
STAR CITY MAYOR FLASHES HIS LOVE AFTER PUBLIC DEFACEMENT
Lucy Emmerstein, blogger
Huffington Post
Posted: May 30, 2016 19:17:33
It is hardly what one would call customary for a political leader (or celebrity) to throw the first pitch in a baseball game. However when you're a newly elected mayor with a huge public approval rating you do as asked and throw.
Apparently not all of Star City's "residents" got the memo.
Mr. Queen, who's first act as leader of the beleaguered city was to perform the ceremonial duty just three short days after winning the election, took to the field at Rocket's stadium this past Saturday casually dressed for an afternoon at the ballpark – baseball jersey and jeans, his face a mixture of boyish charm and determination. With the game being televised and the stadium packed with fans of both The Rockets and the Central City Stars, all eyes were on Mayor Queen as he took to the mound and after a few warm up arm swings (sideline – what is up with those forearms Mr. Mayor?) he wound up and let the ball fly.
Directly into the visiting team's dugout, knocking out their ball boy and narrowly missing their star player.
Instant replay from several angles clearly showed the reasoning behind the wild pitch to be one white feathered friend (AKA a Star City seagull) swooping in and with precision timing, droppinged a "bomb" on the Mayor just seconds before the ball let loose – down one side of his face.
Sports commentators and media personnel later all agreed on one thing – if Mr. Queen had been wearing a hat, the results would have been far less disastrous and perhaps the (rumoured) tetanus shot his finance insisted he be given wouldn't have been necessary.
Unfortunately the Mayor missed the first five innings of the game, presumably for cleanup and washing purposes. Having never experienced bird excrement dropped on their head, this author can only assume that it took considerable effort and scrubbing to remove the offending material from Mr. Queen's visage. When he final returned to the game, in the owner's box no less, the Mayor spent little time in his seat and most out of it, cheering on his beloved Rockets, clearing showing he was none the worse for wear after his humiliating debacle.
In the end, all the encouragement couldn't propel the Rockets to victory and after what can only be described as a barnburner, they came up one run short after twelve long innings and walked off the field, the celebration sounds of their opponents following them to the locker room.
Mayor Queen, addressed the media after the game saying, "The Rockets played well today and should hold their heads up high despite the loss." No comments were made regarding the bird incident in spite of the numerous questions fired his way.
It was only after the game that the public was made aware of a secret but friendly bet made between the mayors of the opposing city's teams.
For what other earthly reason would Mayor Oliver Queen have to show up at city hall on Monday not sporting his customary suit but a red t-shirt, white lightning bolt insignia emblazoned in the center surrounded by the words, I LOVE THE FLASH.
To paraphrase Star City's vigilante, Mayor Queen you have failed your city.
