Chapter 4

In the meantime, Emma had changed her wardrobe once again to match Regina's expectations and had made her way to the mayor's office. Taking a look around, she sighted.
How can she work in such a gloomy environment? I feel depressed just from the sight of it. Maybe it's a kind of evil queen thing? Whatever… She thought and casted a curious look around while waiting for Regina's computer to boot. She then seated herself in front of it to check the mail. 85 new emails in just one day.

Wow. Who knew so many people have business with the mayor? What do they all want?
Delving into the messages, Emma had to laugh from time to time.
A farmer wrote: Dear Madame Mayor, we need more rain for the harvest. As I know, you can perform magic, so could you please make it rain?
Another person wrote: Mayor Mills, the taxes are too high! I demand you to reduce them!
Emma shook her head, part of her amused, other part in disbelief. What were the people thinking these days? Then she saw another email, sender unknown. Curiously she opened it.

To the evil queen:
Even though you're pretending to be good and sincere at the moment, everyone knows exactly what a rotten, evil person you actually are. You will never change! You still are the worst person who ever set foot on earth and you will certainly pay for it one day! Be on your guard, witch!

Emma gulped. Wow, that really is hurtful. I hope she doesn't get messages like that regularly? She surely doesn't deserve this; she really worked hard to change!
A thought crossed her mind, causing a pang of conscience – she herself had called Regina an evil queen during their last argument. Regarding the email, it probably had been rather below the belt… Deleting the email, even cleaning the trash folder – so that Regina would never find a clue to the threatening note – she went on looking through the emails, trying her best to fulfil the demands if they were decent enough. Some were just questions for pure information you could have easily found yourself on the internet, some were issues a mayor simply had nothing to do with and after a short while Emma was at the end of her patience, when she suddenly heard a knock on the door.

A little nervous she cried: "Come in."
Curious about her unexpected visitor she craned her neck to catch the first glimpse of him. The well known face of an old lady emerged. Emma coughed slightly. No mistakes now…
"Ah, Mrs Lucas. What a surprise. What special occasion do I owe this unexpected visit?" She tried to put on Regina's smug smile, her voice shaped by reserved civility mixed with the exact pinch of sarcasm while she clasped her hands on the desk, implying her increasing impatience with every further minute the interference would cost her.
Granny just threw her a gloomy look.
Oh damn, was that to much? Does she now I'm not Regina? Emma suddenly became anxious. She didn't need anyone to know about the accident… But then again, Granny always looked cloudy. Ruby once had said, that the day her grandmother would simply smile without any good reason, time would suddenly flow backwards. So Emma calmed down again, while the old woman started to talk.
"Mayor Mills. You remember the last time I paid you a visit?"
Emma nodded. Regina would rather die than having to admit not having a clue what her opponent is talking about...
"Well, two weeks have passed and still no action has been taken to repair the roadway damage in front of my diner. This is scaring away potential costumers! What are you intending to do about it?"
Oh damn. I don't know anything about this. What am I supposed to answer? I can't simply cave in… That wouldn't be Regina-like at all. She paused for a moment. Okay what would Regina reply in a situation like this? Something irrevocable and overbearing without a doubt. Let's try...
Throwing the old lady a markedly unimpressed look she answered in a cool voice: "Mrs. Lucas. As you may comprehend or not, I have various tasks to fulfil in my function as mayor. And I do believe some of them to be of greater importance than your little…establishment. But be assured, despite my numerous duties I sure will find a moment or two to take care of your little problem, if you would just have the decency to be patient enough."
It only took another thin smile, eyebrows arched and Granny found her way out of the office again.
Emma breathed a sigh.

Little by little I start so understand Regina's manner regarding social intercourse. People surely are annoying sometimes…