"Hello, and welcome to the first debate between the candidates for mayor of Zootopia; only on WZTP. My name is Jane Hirsch, and I will be moderating today," the doe sat behind a desk facing a large stage set with five podiums. She wore a fairly conservative blazer with a pearl necklace and a pair of rimless glasses. "Joining us tonight are the top five candidates according to independent polls conducted by Gallop. Our first candidate, polling fifth, is Arthur Bernhard."
From the right side of the stage, the great grizzly bear made his way to the closet podium on the right edge of the stage. There he adjusted his thick glasses and fidgeted with some papers. He gave a meek wave to some of the sparse claps that accompanied his name.
"Our next candidate is sister to former mayor Leodore Lionheart and local university professor, Ariel Lionheart," Jane announced. Ariel strode almost defiantly to the farthest left podium. Despite being a foot-and-a-half shorter than Bernhard and on the other side of the stage from him, she seemed to dwarf the timid bear via sheer confidence alone. Mixed in with applause were a few boos from detractors who felt she was running on her name alone.
"Next we have journalist and author Carlos Lupez," Jane had scarcely finished his name before the wolf stormed across the stage, fury barely concealed in his eyes. He took the podium beside Bernhard, receiving a respectable amount of applause and a few cheers.
"Our second place candidate is Interim Mayor John Nileworthy," the hippo stepped onstage; waved politely to the crowd; and received in return widespread, but polite applause. He took the podium beside Ariel.
"And finally, our frontrunner and CEO of Turnbull Enterprises: Andrew Turnbull," the crowd erupted into a mix of cheers and jeers. The rust-colored bull gave a smug smile as he strode to the central podium, but it was impossible to tell whether it was because of his supporters, his detractors, or simply from the sheer joy he got from being himself. After a moment, Jane gestured at the audience. "Please, settle down. Without further ado, let us commence the debate. We'll begin with opening remarks. Mr. Bernhard, you may begin."
The bear's eyes widened. He loosened his collar nervously before speaking. "T-thank you, Jane. M-my campaign is based on the idea that the Mammal Inclusion Initiative is discriminatory and should be abolished." Though this elicited a few cheers from a few of those attending, they were nearly drowned out in a sea of murmuring and a few boos. The bear looked for a moment as if he would continue his statement, but he instead shrunk back from the microphone. After an expectant pause, Jane turned to Ariel.
"Mrs. Lionheart-" she began.
"Dr. Lionheart," Ariel's voice betrayed a lifetime of making this correction.
"My apologies. Dr. Lionheart, your opening statement?"
The lioness adjusted her jacket. "My fellow Zootopians, the Mammal Inclusion Initiative is vital, and has helped many mammals. However, that is not what I wish to discuss today. In the chaos of Bellwether's terror, many innocent predators lost their homes and livelihoods," she spoke with all the skill and power that her brother had. "I, myself, nearly lost my position at Zootopia University after former mayor Lionheart was arrested for attempting to find a solution to Bellwether's scheme. I am calling for reparations for the predators who lost everything. I am calling for a restoration of predators to their previous status after Bellwether's terror. I am calling for justice." A tangled mix of cheers and boos made gauging the reaction of the crowd near impossible.
"Thank you, Dr. Lionheart," Jane calmed the crowd. "Mr. Lupez, your remarks."
The wolf took a deep breath before speaking."I was going to speak on environmentalism and the need to upgrade the wall between Tundratown and Sahara Square, but now I simply want to implore you to vote for anyone but Andrew Turnbull." The crowd exploded. Turnbull supporters shouted over detractors who shouted over supporters. Carlos tried his best to continue over the crowd. "He is dangerous. He preaches anti-predatorism in the guise of security. What is wants is what Bellwether wanted."
"Thank you, Mr. Lupez," Jane nearly shouted into her microphone to be heard over the crowd, her tone conveying a message to the candidates to avoid riling up the audience intentionally. "Please settle down," she urged the crowd with surprising effectiveness. "Mayor Nileworthy?"
"Thank you, Jane. The work of my predecessor Leodore Lionheart was indeed important. The Mammal Inclusion Initiative has already proven its worth through the work of Officer Judy Hopps, without whom former mayor Bellwether would have continued in her crimes. The MMI must be continued." The audience clapped.
"Thank you, Mayor Nileworthy," Jane hesitated for a moment before continuing. "Mr. Turnbull?"
The air buzzed with expectant energy as Turnbull deliberately paused before speaking. "This city is weak," the great bull began. "What this city needs is a mayor willing to take the steps necessary to make the city safe for everyone. I would be that mayor. A safe city is a prosperous city. A safe city is a happy city. A safe city is the only city where anyone can be anything." The crowd resumed its now characteristic jumble of noise.
"Thank you, let us begin the questions. Mr. Turnbull, the first question is for you,"Jane adjusted some papers in front of her, waiting a moment for the audience to calm. "The accusation has been made by many, including those on stage with you now, that you are anti-predator. Would you care to respond to these allegations?"
"These accusations are ridiculous. I am not anti-predator in the slightest. I want a Zootopia safe for everyone, including predators. My opponents say I'm anti-predator because I acknowledge that, while the biological component of the incident of a few months ago was disproven, it remains a concern that many dangerous animals have natural weapons. Claws and fangs are deadly. I am not calling for the declawing or defanging of all predators, simply dangerous criminals. This is no different than confiscating the knife of a rabbit convicted of assault. The fact that none of my opponents, especially the hippo currently running the city, have even considered anything like this shows their weakness. They are willing to allow innocent mammals continue to suffer from dangerous animals who haven't been disarmed." Applause underscored by murmuring spread through the crowd.
After a moment, Jane spoke again. "Thank you, Mr. Turnbull. Mayor Nileworthy, would you like to respond to the statement that your administration is weak on crime?"
"Well, 'my administration' has only lasted a few months. To accuse it of anything is fairly ridiculous as there hasn't been any major deviation from the policies of my predecessors. Further, we are not weak on crime. The ZPD is quite effective, and has only become more effective due to the Mammal Inclusion Initiative." The hippo's flustered voice sounded hollow following Turnbull's deep boom.
"Thank you, Mayor Nileworthy. Dr. Lionheart, the next question is for you…"
The rest of the debate continued in the same vein. Turnbull clearly stole the show. Every question and every answer seemed to be about him or something he said. Nileworthy only managed to stay marginally relevant because he was the target of the vast majority of Turnbull's attacks on the current system. The other candidates failed to stand out at all.
The next day, Bernhard dropped out of the race.
