Standing in the door way of Marks office, I managed to get his attention.
"Can I help you?" He asked politely.
"My name's Emma Greystone, Leslie's Knope assistant." I greeted politely, "I need your help creating the play ground at lot 48." showing him the pictures on my camera that I took of what it looks like. " I wasn't sure if you ever saw this." I chuckled.
"Did Leslie tell you to talk to me?" He asked curiously.
"I've heard your name from her before, but no this was my decision in talking to you." I admitted "I believe that a park can be made right here. I understand that there are many obstacles in building one, but with the help of others I think its possible." picking up the camera and putting it back in my bag.
"I'll see what I can do" He sighed "But I'm going to need your help if we convince Ron in this" He said.
"Thank you so much" I told him sitting down and planning out a way of trying to convince Ron.
Ron's POV - Next day
Leslie came storming into my office. Standing in front of me.
"Ron please" She begged.
" way." I told her straightforward.
"Come on Ron." She started to beg "I've been a loyal foot soldier. Give me my shot." trying to convince "Let me have lot 48." adding to her speech.
Looking at what was wrapped around her neck "Is that a travel pillow?" I asked her confused.
"Ron, I don't know how to explain this to you" She started ignoring my question "When you've been down into the pit" stopping at mid sentence "Have you been in the pit? She asked.
"No, I have not been down there yet" I admitted to her.
"Well I have" She told me.
"When you fell in" I commented after her.
"When I visited the bottom of the pit on a fact finding mission" she corrected me "And when your down there, you get some perspective about what it all means" she started putting down pictures that were taken from the event "And let me tell you something, Ron. What it means is, I want this subcommittee" She told me seriously.
"Well, I will defiantly think about it." I told her.
"I like the sound of that definitely." She replied "I'm going to leave before you change your mind" She said walking away.
As she walked away I picked up the pictures and threw them away.
I've been quite open about this around the office, I don't want any of this parks department to build any parks. I don't believe in Government. I think that all Government is a waste to taxpayer money. My dream is to have a park system privatized and run entirely for profit by corporations. Such as Chuck E. Cheese, they have an impeccable business model. I would rather be working for Chuck E. Cheese.
Past these few days Leslie has been coming to my office and asking about lot 48. She's insatiable. She's like a little dog with a chew toy. Overall it's very frustrating.
As I was pretending to work, I saw Emma and Mark walk in and taking a seat on the bench.
"I want you to give lot 48 to Leslie." Mark started out "So she can try to build a park." He added.
"Why should I?" I asked.
"If we don't, then she's just going to push her way into building this park." Emma told me.
"Plus you owe me one, remember?" Mark added on recalling my memories.
"Do you want to cash in for this?" I asked.
"Yeah I do." He smirked.
"Fine, I will give Leslie the lot 48." I told them.
"Emma go tell Leslie." Mark told her.
She nodded and walked out.
Emma POV
I walked out of the main office and down the hall. There I saw Leslie and Ann. Leslie was telling Ann all about the murals.
"Hey, Leslie." I called out to her.
Both Ann and Leslie stopped to look at me as I was walking towards them.
"We did it." I told her happily "Ron approved our committee" I continued on.
"Oh my god" She replied excitedly "That's great" she turned to Ann
Leslie's POV
I was excited. This is huge. I barely 34 and I've already landed a parks development exploratory subcommittee. I'm a rocket ship.
I was in the main office when I heard mark coming in.
"I just heard the news" He told me happily.
"Isn't it great?" a rhetorical question indeed.
"Congratulations" He told me, giving me a hug.
"Thank you" I replied ending our hug.
"Should I call a press conference now or" I started getting cut off by Tom.
"Yes call one, definitely." Tom agreed.
Emma's POV
Every now and then we have these little gatherings and Leslie gets plastered. One time I convinced her to try and fax someone a fruit roll up. She one time made out with the water delivery guy in her office. On Halloween she was dressed as batman and Tom convinced her to go stop a crime that was going on outside. And these little gatherings are Tom and I favorite thing in the world.
Leslie POV
A week went by after the subcommittee was in progress. However, we still have to organize little fun events for kids. Today is our annual Easter egg hunt.
On this day, Tom and Emma hides the eggs, and I have to say they both did an exceptional job this year. I've been searching for 25 minutes and I haven't found a single egg and I'm an adult. Maybe their both trying to make this year a challenge and if so their both succeeding.
I don't think a single egg has been found yet.
Tom's POV
Emma and I have both forgotten to do this, this year. Nobody has found a single egg yet and I'm pretty sure everyone is upset. However, Leslie keeps motivating the kids that they are going to find one.
Speaking of which, where is Emma this year?
Emma POV
I was running late today and looking at the clock, I missed the egg hunt challenge. Speaking of which I don't remember doing that part and knowing Tom he probably didn't do it either.
Running to the kitchen I grabbed my car keys and headed out the door. From my apartment to City hall is about a thirty minute drive and I was already running an hour late.
Parking my car far away from my normal parking spot, I walked quickly to the entrance. Finally making my way to my office, Tom looked up at me.
"Where have you been?" He asked.
"Long night and yes I know I missed the Easter egg challenge." I told him putting my things down and sitting in my chair.
"Do you want to talk about it?" He asked.
"No" I told him politely, "Anyways, where's Leslie at?" I asked.
"I heard her talk about visiting her mom" Tom told me.
Leslie POV
I'm going to see my mom. She's a big mucky-muck in the school in the county school system. She's my hero.
How do I explain her? She's as respected as mother Teresa, she's as powerful as Stalin, and she's as beautiful as Margret Thatcher.
I walked near her office. I wasn't sure if she was busy or not, but I made my way partially in and partially out.
"In or out, Leslie." my mother ordered "Doorway is creepy" she added.
"Right, sorry. Choosing in" I told her walking in her office.
"So, what do you want, Leslie?" she asked as I stood in front of her desk.
"Just here to gossip, gab, chat. Stuff we do." I told her "but it looks like you are busy and I am busy. So I shall adieu." I told her quickly walking slowly out until I realized why I came here "Oh that's weird, I just remembered something." I slowly made my way back to her "I have my own subcommittee now." She looked at me shocked "Yeah, I'm sure you've heard something about it, people are talking about it" I added.
"No" I heard her say.
"Oh, well. Anyway, were having a town hall meeting tomorrow at 7 at the Smithfield community center." I explained "Its not biggie. I mean it is. It's a big deal I mean" rambling on with my sentence "I don't know, I mean, you know" thinking of how to word my sentence properly "Wanna come?" I straight out asked waiting for a response.
"Oh, honey, Jeeze, you know how busy I am." She started telling me.
"I know, I know, I know" I told her hiding my disappointment "That's why I faked- invited you." I played it off.
"I'll try to be there." she told me.
Got her.
Emma POV
While working on school work and the subcommittee, I heard Leslie coming in.
"I'm hosting a meeting, meet me outside." She ordered.
I waited for five minutes until everyone was outside and sitting around a small table. I was surprised and not surprised that Ann was here.
"Okay, so everybody's here." Leslie started "Lets get started" she added hitting the table with a wooden gavel.
Everyone covered their ears.
"Sorry. Oh, I'm sorry. Metal. Sorry." she apologized quickly "Subcommittee members, are we prepared for tomorrow night?" she asked excitedly looking at Tom "Tom, have you booked the hall yet?"
"Yes sir" Tom replied unenthusiastically
"Ann did you clear your schedule?" She asked looking at Ann.
"I did, I changed my shift." Ann replied.
"Leslie, I just have to say, I think you might be taking this to the public a little too soon." He told her thinking out loud "It literally doesn't matter what you propose to the public, they might call a vote." he explained to her "And if they vote you down, then your done." he added.
"I don't care if there's going to be a vote" Leslie told him. "I have a secret weapon." she smirked.
I don't like the sound of this at all. Looking at everyone else, I can tell Tom or Mark isn't liking it either.
"Canvassing" she announced "Nothing better than good old fashion door to door campaigning." she added
I am not going door to door and telling people this. This is a way to get on people's bad side really fast. Honestly no one, except Leslie, looked happy.
This was going to be a mistake.
