CHAPTER 10

Bloberta had been told to wait for Clay outside, the reverend and Ms. Censordoll needed to further discuss the upcoming election and review the debate transcript. She sat on the stairs of the city hall back to the door, the commotion had died down but she did observe and hear a lot of enthusiasm regarding her husband as mayor. It sort of felt alien to her. So many people saying so many good things about him. She wish she could be like them, and only see that side of him.

The door had came open to the entrance, Clay was absolutely exhausted and drained. Bloberta had turned to him without getting up. Simply greeting him: "Hello Clay."

Clay not even hearing her sat beside her on the stairs leaning back with his head looking to the sky. Bloberta offered him a compliment laced with a hint of disappointment. "I'd never seen you with so much conviction, it was impressive to say the least."

"Thanks...I don't really know what came over me to be honest."

"So you really do want to be mayor then?" Bloberta asked, she was under the impression Clay was simply doing this to either appease her or out of necessity.

"I guess I'm just getting use to the idea that this is my life now..." Clay lamented. Bloberta closed her eyes relating to her husband's statement.

"I feel the same way..." Bloberta had responded.

"You do?" Clay asked a little bit surprised. Bloberta just squinted unsure if she should continue that conversation with him. What good would it be to relate to Clay in their mutual unhappiness? Bloberta stood up and figured it'd be best to just return home.

"We should get back. Its been a long night." Clay struggled to get up and groaned.

"Yeah...you're right. Lead the way I'm so tired..."

"Fine." Bloberta led her husband to the alonefords.

-

The morning after the debate, the general consensus was that Clay had completely destroyed and humiliated Mayor Forghetty. The mayor was in panic mode, he was sure to lose the soon coming election. In the office of the mayor, Forghetty was drinking some brandy accepting his at hand defeat. He was sure some the anonymous tip he received about Puppington would at least get some more attention. Clay however completely dodged the attack in stride. In a way he was impressed. One of the mayor's interns Dolly cautiously entered the office. Seeing Forghetty looking to his desk quite upset looking. She greeted him in a chipper tone in an attempt to cheer him up.

"Um- Hello mayor!"

"Not for much longer..."

Dolly walked further into the office giving a sympathetic look, seeing he was reading the paper, the headlines bashing the mayor's debate skills rather straight forwardly. She had only been an intern for a couple months but she really got to grow fond of the mayor for his endeavors to help the town. She tried further to cheer him up. "Hey come on Mayor, maybe this is the end of your political career but-"

"Thanks for rubbing it in Dolly." He said tears in his eyes.

"Let me finish. This isn't the end of the world. I'm sure there are plenty of avenues your talents could help out."

"Like what?" Forghetty said slumped over defeated and desperately looking for a way out.

"Well maybe you could be a business owner, the old bar down the street is up for sale. I'm sure you could turn that place around if you tried."

"Ugh, maybe you're right...Perhaps I should concede now to save some money and just start anew..."

"I think that would be for the best. Whoever this Puppington guy is he sure seems to be the clear popular choice."

"Dolly, you say the cold facts when they are needed the most. I thank you."

"Hey no problem Mayor!"

-

Mrs. Hymentact had listened to the debates, she was mortified that she had to choose between that degenerate Forghetty and the disaster of a husband, Puppington. It really got to her, furthermore it didn't help that Puppington mopped the floor with Forghetty and she actually felt jealous that her fake daughter was about to be wife to the most powerful man in town. She decided to sit out the elections believing God can do the rest. Modella was secretly proud of her sister, and prayed for her success as a wife.

-

Arthur Puppington was pacing back and forth, he was angry to admit it, but he indeed tuned into the debate over the radio. The mayor's defeat was embarrassing. Arthur's tip off proved ineffective and Clay's rebuttal was bullet proof it only made the mayor look worse. There was no way around it, Clay was going to win this election no matter what, Arthur's interference or not. Arthur could hardly drink his coffee he was feeling to agitated. The last 'conversation' Arthur had with Clay solidified his hate for his son. The man was destined for a life of misery and anger...And sadly, Arthur realized it was his destiny as well. He figured that he shouldn't have bothered in the first place and concluded he'd never talk to Clay ever again

-

The election was secured from everyone's opinion, yet Clay still felt uneasy. Clay paced the apartment sipping his whiskey periodically. He could not sleep at all. Intrusive thoughts, anxiety, fear of the unknown persisting in his mind at the greatest force he'd felt. Bloberta attempted to calm him down:

"Maybe there's a way I can help calm your nerves?" Bloberta said with a slight seductive tone.

Clay's mind was elsewhere. He may have cared about the citizens of Moralton and his wife, but ultimately he was mostly worrying about how he was going to play out in this future.

Clay spoke out ignoring Bloberta's past statement: "How can I turn this town to where it can bend to my will...?" An oddly specific and authoritarian question Bloberta never expected.

"Ahem...Well not really too sure dear..." Bloberta meekly stated

"Everyone is trying to get to me. I need to stop it. I need your help to stop it." Clay desperate for answers prodded. Bloberta shuddered at Clay's request. He was afraid of himself and didn't want others to know...In a way she felt flattered. Clay came to her for this of all people. Bloberta decided it would be best to help Clay.

"You need to tell Censordoll."

"About?"

"About everything."

"Why?"

"She is the sure fire safe proof that has every inclination to protect you from that sort of press. If she knows about everything she can shield you and me from anything."

"You trust her?"

"Not by a long shot...But truth of the matter is she controls the minds of Moralton. You need her to be aware..."

"Bloberta...Thanks..."

"Of course dear and maybe-" Clay fell onto the couch passed out. Bloberta's eyes twitched in anger at his lack of real gratitude. Her womb carried a boy, 4 weeks or so old.

And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet. -Matthew 10:14