Arthur Puppington was sitting at his kitchen table drinking some coffee and listening to the news on his radio when something caught his ear.

"Mr. Clay Puppington has been married by Mrs. Bloberta Puppington. We pray for their years of happiness, and pray they create a wonderful God serving family. Christ be with them. Amen."

Arthur spat his coffee out.
"Clay? Married?" He said to himself.
Apart of him was still very angry with his son, but maybe this was a sign that it was time to bury the hatchet and try to reconcile with his son. He didn't want to die a bitter old man. A small little droplet of true love for his son wanted to grow, it wanted to flourish. The anger, and the resentment was all to much to bear.

Clay wandered Moralton to the Church of Reverend Putty. He briefly eyed the bar on his way, as if he longed to go in. He didn't even know what they did in there. But it certainly was a popular place to be. He snapped out of his wandering mind and set his sights to the church. This was the only true church in Moralton. His father for the most part didn't care about what Clay did but when it came to going to church and practicing his faith its as if he was trying to inject his own cynical view on spirituality into him. That could be why Clay happened to find himself watching a wedding and swept up by a desperate girl instead of just listening to a regular service.

Reverend Putty sat in his confessional box reading the newspaper...The mayor was enacting new legislature to allow for all new churches to built on Main street. New churches that believed in something other than protestant Christianity...Reverend Putty groaned to himself. At first this mayor was more of the same throughout Moralton's history. Predictable, safe, traditional to the values upheld throughout the town's mayoral lineage. But as of late the mayor has been increasingly more independent and thought provoking. It was beginning to scare him.
Just then a figure appeared in the confessional box opposite to him.
He calmed his demeanor and began to speak.

"Yes, son what can I do for you today?"

"Yes, my name is Clay Puppington..." Clay looked over and then down to the ground.

"Oh, yeah! You just got married to Bloberta Hymentact. Congratulations man, certainly lucked out, very pretty lady you got there."

Clay squinted not sure if he was joking or not. "I don't feel very lucky, reverend..." Clay said with a sigh.

"What's wrong? Trouble in paradise already?" The reverend smirked.

"I never really got that expression...Are people under the impression people can't be in paradise while they are single?"

Here we go...Reverend Putty thought to himself another married husband upset he got married. Putty couldn't stand listening to these people...and yet Clay seemed somewhat different with his attitude. Not overly upset, just...sad.

"Well usually the single folks aren't exactly happy being single. But enough about that, tell me more whats on your mind?"

"Don't get me wrong...she's...nice. She's trying her hardest I know she is. But she's going really, really fast for me. I just met like a few days ago and she's talking about making a son with me."

"Cry me a river! I specially wrote up that radio sermon this morning to get you guys in the mood, it didn't work?"

"That was y-?! Never mind that, I don't even own a house! I work at Figurelli's corner store for God's sake! I didn't want this! But like we at the very least deserves a comfortable living situation before we bring a mouth to feed into the world."

Reverend Putty thought while looking down the newspaper for a moment. He set aside some of his opinions on relationships to perhaps start a much needed new companionship with Clay Puppington...
"You have a point, Clay. I'll give you lots of credit, you are a mature fellow! You don't want to just make babies willy-nilly, you want them to live comfortably. God knows you can't be working for that cheapskate Figurelli if you are going to have a kid soon..."

"Exactly. Thank you!"

"But hold it. What if I could offer you a job that paid you more than enough for your family. Your son's needs, your wife's needs and most importantly your needs!"

Clay paused for a second taking that in.
"Uh...a new job?"

"That's what I'm saying partner!"

"What kind of job, your janitor?"

"Well lets see what you qualify for! I have some questions for you Mr. Clay Puppington."

"What?"

"What are your opinions on other religions besides Protestant Christianity being advertised in this already confused town?"

"Uh...gee I hadn't thought about it really..."

"We have our mayor attempting to get new churches with the likes of crazy Mormonism, Catholicism, and Heaven forbid even Islam to come in here and sway the good people of our town down to Hell! Obviously you don't want your loved ones going to Hell one day right?"

"Well yeah, of course not."

"What are you opinions on abortion?"

"Aheh...I don't know...uh"

"How would you feel if some doctor came in while your being birthed to say 'hold the phone it looks like your giving birth to a product of unintentional necrophilia!' I'm afraid we'll need to stab some scissors into your skull"

"Jesus! No!"

"Finally! What are your opinions of polygamy?"

"Who in their right mind wants more than one wife, reverend?"

"Mr. Clay Puppington I want to nominate you as a candidate for mayor of Moralton."

"M-mayor?"

"Yeah! Think about it Clay, you could bring much needed lighthearted hi-jinks into this dreary depressing town! Come with me down to the Library, I'll introduce you to Ms. Censordoll so we can formally start your campaign!"

Clay could hardly believe what he was hearing. The reverend wanted him to be mayor...everything was going really fast for him. One moment he was a happy go lucky single man working at a corner store. Now he was a husband to a wife that wanted to start a family being prepped to be mayor of his town. This was going to be rough...

"I better call my wife before we do this..."

"Of course here I'll bring you to my office."

-
Bloberta answered the phone that began to ring. How exciting! Her first phone call as a wife she briefly thought to herself.
"Hello, this is the Puppington residence, Mrs. Bloberta Puppington speaking."

"Hey Bloberta, its me."

"Hello, Clay, are you done consulting yet?"

"Well actually...I've just been offered a potential new job..."

"What really, already? What is it?"

"Reverend Putty wants to nominate me to be the Mayor."

Bloberta's eyes widened, she gasped in excitement.
"That's wonderful, Clay! If you became mayor we could more than enough to support a family!"

"Yeah...I figured you'd say that."

Bloberta couldn't help but notice the somber tone Clay was taking. She wanted to be happy for this opportunity but the caring side of her decided to prod Clay and question him.
"I think this is all great news and all...but is this something you want to do, Clay?"

"When has what I wanted ever been important to anyone?" Clay said under his breath

"I couldn't hear you, what was that?"

"I mean this is the right thing to do, God likes it when people do the right thing. I'll talk to you about all of it later, the Reverend wants me to start the campaign with someone named Ms. Censordoll at the library."

Ms. Censordoll was the librarian of the town's Library but she was much more than that in the grand scheme of things in Moralton. Bloberta remembered trying to please Ms. Censordoll by picketing with her and her other friends. But much like her "mother" she was usually quick to cut her down. She couldn't deny the fact she admired her leadership ability, but naturally that didn't make her a good material to be a wife.

"That's fine, I'll be waiting here, I'll make dinner before you get home!"

Clay smiled weakly
"T-thanks, I'll see you later."

"Goodbye! I love-"
The phone clicked before she could finish her line. Bloberta sighed but quickly got over it, she'd get her chance one day...she just had to prove to him she was worth it...

At the library Ms. Censordoll and reverend Putty had been questioning Clay Puppington on various topics. Clay was getting rather bored not to mention somewhat irritated at reverend Putty. Clay saw through the reverend's guise. He had manipulated him, took advantage of him, and opposite to him, Ms. Censordoll was doing the exact same thing to Putty. And yet Clay couldn't find the strength in him to call them out...The liquid courage had run its coarse and his body longed for more.

"See what I'm saying, Censordoll? Perfect man for the job right?" Putty asked Ms. Censordoll.

"I'll admit he does have the qualities of a perfect puppet- I mean a perfect mayor. We should get started on his campaign as soon as possible. We can't have the current mayor focusing himself on sweeping more harmful legislature to his damned town. We need him to focus on his new opponent we have found."

Clay decided to voice some concerns.
"I don't think anyone's going to want me to be mayor...I mean I hardly have any experience."

Censordoll retorted: "One does not need experience to be mayor, Mr. Puppington. Only character."

"And besides, Clay someone wanted you to be their husband! Our current mayor? Forget about it nobody wanted him!" Reverend Putty said.

"Precisely, you are far more likable than our mayor as is."

Clay couldn't argue with that he guessed...He didn't even know the mayor of Moralton's name, maybe he was as forgettable as they say.

"You may go on your way Mr. Puppington. We will be in touch." Censordoll directed Clay out of the library. Clay looked up to the moon, the nightmare was only just beginning he tried to think about the positives...There was still half a bottle of whiskey at home.

Bloberta had made a wonderful dinner with what she could find in Clay's fridge. She was proud of herself...But she was also proud of Clay who seemingly by just walking out of the house gained an incredible opportunity. The fact they didn't make love this morning was a blessing in disguise she thought. Besides there was still time tonight to see to that...
Clay walked in mouthing some words to himself as Bloberta walked to him.

"How was your day, dear?" She asked with a smile on her face.

"It was...a pretty good day all things considered." Clay said.

"I made us some dinner as I promised." Bloberta out stretched her arm to present the table, a lovely roast, with many sides decorated the table.

"Oh...gee you didn't have to..." Clay sounded somewhat sad even. The truth of the matter was that he felt bad for Bloberta. He could tell she was trying her hardest to be a good wife. A good person even. Despite all that Clay's energy felt so drained. He wanted to just drink some whiskey and retire to bed...but she was pull her own weight and then some. He couldn't just go to sleep he had to play husband now...But he wanted that drink dammit. "Where'd you put the bottle I had this morning?" Asked Clay determined to have his just desserts.

"Calm down, honey I'll get you a glass once you've sat down to enjoy your meal." She said in a chipper tone.

Clay noticed he felt annoyed. She was treating him like a little boy asking for ice cream. He kinda liked it admittedly deep down, but he needed that drink, and he needed it now. He moved past Bloberta and ignored her opening all the cupboards and drawers until he finally found what he was looking for. Bloberta looked back at Clay and clenched her teeth.
"I said I would get you a drink when you sat down..." She tried to push the anger in her voice down.

"I had a long day, I'm not up for playing house right now."

"We aren't playing house, Clay. We're having dinner. I know you parents weren't around to teach you proper manners, but its time you learned especially if your going to be mayor."
Clay ignored that statement and poured a glass, walked back to the table and sat down in a huff.
Bloberta followed and sat down with him. "I think you should start The Lord's Prayer off for us, it is our first dinner together..."

Clay looked up at her and down at his drink, he took a sip and set it down.
"Yes I'll start..."

"Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done; on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen."

The two ate their dinner and talked a little bit about the day. They laughed together as they insulted reverend Putty and Ms. Censordoll. Calling them names and mocking them merrily. Bloberta felt a little bit happier, it reminded her of when they first met. Laughing, together. The night became too much for Clay as he clumsily left to bed. Bloberta felt that pang of rejection yet again...What was she doing wrong? She thought to herself...He still wasn't going for the clues...Did Clay even know how babies were made? Well his parents probably didn't get around to teaching him. Or maybe he felt afraid to do it?
She walked into the bedroom and eyed his figure...he certainly was handsome...From that very first moment she saw him in the sunlight at the church to the one right now. He made her giddy despite all the flaws. He was like a naive little boy in ways...his little bursts of frustration, his inability to wait for what he wanted, his cute face...Her sexual frustration was getting the better of her...She thought that by getting married she wouldn't have to deal with this feeling anymore. She cursed to herself almost seeing it fit to advance on him all by herself. She couldn't do that to him...she wouldn't do that to him. After all it was supposed to be the man to lead the way...She was a traditional woman and she'd stick to being one. She squirmed in place next to Clay on the bed and tried to think about their future son rather than the "making of their future son" to sate off her burning desire.