Beep Beep Beep

"Wha?" I mumble, I look at my clock and bolt up.

I was two hours late!

I get dressed and take an Advil to soothe my headache

"Dammit how could I let this happen!" I say to myself in the mirror.

I quickly put on some makeup and run to Town Hall.

Why is everybody looking at me?

I dismiss it as just natural stares seeing as she was running straight down the street looking like she had gotten wasted at a bar.

I burst through the Town Halls double doors.

"I'm so sorry for being late Mayor Lee, please forgive me!" I almost yell.

But nobodies there.

The memory of what happened yesterday sets in and I feel horrible immediately.

"You can do this, it's just a bit more work Isabelle" I say to nobody in particular.

I take a seat at Mayor Lees, no my desk and just as I'm about to get started I hear knock knock knock.

I open the door and see Tom Nook standing there holding a pile of paperwork.

"I need you to sign these forms, Mayor Isabelle."

"Of course Tom" I say tiredly.

"Are you okay Isabelle? Not to be rude but you look like a train wreck."

I'm fine Tom, just a bad nights sleep."

Tom passes a concerned look and shrugs.

"I hope you feel better soon Isabelle, I'll be here tomorrow to pick up my building permits."

Tom gives one last glance at the tired Temp Mayor and leaves to handle his daily business.

"Housing permits, next weeks financial report, finding a way to solve the dirty river, how am I supposed to handle this before the end of the month!" I mutter to myself.

I sit at my desk and get to work filing forms.

3 Hours Later

"All done!" I exclaim to myself.

I open my drawer and pour myself a glass of Scotch for celebration.

Right when it looked like another long night I hear.

Bank Bang Bang

I just barely manage to hide the Scotch under my desk before Tom comes in.

"Hey Isabelle I forgot to hand you this but I need you to negotiate with another Town about a material deal with their contractors."

"Of course Tom."

"Thanks a ton Isabelle, have a good night!"

I ponder the bottle of Scotch and dump it in the Staffroom sink.

I end up buying another bottle on my way home.

4 Weeks Later

"Yes I hear you Tom I'll handle the contract please be patient!"

"Yes I hear you ma'am, yes we will handle the clogged river."

"What do you mean the shipment was delayed!"

Oh how naive I was. I think while handling 3 different phone calls and writing a letter to the hospital to inquire about the health of Mayor Lee.

During this time I had resorted to Scotch to get me through the busy days, but honestly I don't know how much longer I can do this alone.

Knock Knock Knock

"Come in!" I yelp.

The mailman comes in and takes a long stare at the dilapidated office and Mayor.

"Are you okay Mayor?"

"I'm fine Perio. What do you have for me?"

"Three requests from citizens, a reply to your letter to Coldridge, and this letter from the Animal Staffing Committee."

I almost have a panic attack.

Did someone report my behavior to HR?

I slowly open the letter, it had a wax paw print on it and read.

To Mayor Isabelle

"Dear Mayor Isabelle, Mayor Lee has officially retired from his position, a new mayor will arrive via train tomorrow to take over, thank you for your service."

New Mayor?

"NEW MAYOR!" I yell, startling Perio.

I hug Perio hoping he doesn't notice the smell of scotch on me and rush outside to get ready.

One Day Later…

I'm standing at the train station getting ready to meet the new Mayor when I hear in the distance, a whistle.