CHAPTER 11

The Library is her fortress. Censordoll reigns supreme. Everyone fears and respects her. A mere librarian managed to swindle the influence of the citizens of Moralton seemingly overnight. Censordoll is law. There is no one in town smarter than her in any field. The reverend is useless. The mayor: merely a figurehead. Clay was coming for her...She knew it...Clay was interesting. A new person to get to know. Apparently he had some tragic past? How lovely...More dirt to dig, Perhaps it was his father that kept him safe from her knowing eye. But now daddy was more angry than ever he wouldn't keep him from her now...Censordoll the true leader of Moralton ruled with intimidation and fear, her charisma easily buys the people into her schemes. Mayor Forghetty had thrown a wrench into all her plans but with him all but defeated she could carry on with her real plans. She noted the apparent reappearance of Mr. Junior Christein. Her mother had banned the practice of Judaism rightfully so...However Censordoll realized the importance of the Jews...The supposed chosen people. The Christeins were the only Jews left in Moralton. Their talents proved useful. A tactful game of chess with them and she could have them working for her without them even knowing it...A knock at the door in came Puppington.

"Um Ms. Censordoll. I'm sorry to show up unexpected."

"What is is Mr. Puppington?" Censor asked raising a small figure to her eye.

"I wanted to explain what Mayor Forghetty had brought up during the debate..." Ms. Censordoll raised an eyebrow. Actually curious and surprised Clay opened this conversation.

"Oh, do indulge me, Mr. Puppington."

"Mayor Forghetty is a liar. My father accidentally shot of our family pistol at my mother. I never forgave him. Forghetty was trying to turn the town against me." Clay boldly lied. Censordoll was amused...Clay boldly lied to her face and she knew it.

"Quite interesting Mr. Puppington...Thank you for your...information. I'll be sure to get the story straight amongst the citizens." Clay got closer to the desk and glared at Censordoll.

"I don't want to hear anymore about my father or mother. This is the last of it. I trust you will suppress this part of my life from now and forever." Censordoll was slightly taken back, no one was ever this demanding to her. She supposed Clay hadn't known much about her. She smirked.

"You have my word my future mayor...Your secret is safe..." Clay flinched at her words and backed away.

"Whens the election again?"

"This coming Thursday. Be sure to show your face Puppington." Clay backed down and left Censordoll's office. She simply smiled and placed various pieces around her desk. Getting ready for the election at hand. Although she felt somewhat insulted by Clay lying to her it was no matter to her, he was merely ignorant to her influence and apparent power. She'd never seen nor heard of him, it intrigued her. She was more so angry at her mother who had let this slip past her all knowing eye, it was unlike their family. The Censordoll women usually had tip offs and gossip from every facet of town. Francis C. Censordoll was now to be the last of the Censordoll's in her mother's infinite wisdom for reasons unknown just yet...

Reverend Putty was hard at work organizing the voter booths at the school, the fire department, and city hall. Clay and Mayor Forghetty also made a few appearances in town. Mayor Forghetty was contemplating his inevitable defeat and his upcoming business venture.

A day before the actual election Clay and Forghetty had crossed paths at city hall, Forghetty attempted to ignore his gaze but Clay physically made contact with the mayor much to his surprise. Clay typically was down and out but he also had these strange moments of aggression. Clay wasn't happy.

"Mayor, I just want to say that was a cheap shot at the debate..."

The mayor was taken aback and didn't really know what to say. He already accepted defeat in his head he didn't really want to fight on the matter. "Ahem, Mr. Puppington I apologize for the personal attack." Clay glared at him and asked:

"How did you find that out?"

"Uh...well I'll be honest with you Mr. Puppington, my cabinet had been tipped off by someone. They really weren't sure from who. We dug up old news..."

"I don't care what you did in office, but what you said about me is unforgivable. You're done." Clay walked off in an arrogant stride.

Forghetty gasped for breath unsure if Clay was just making empty threats or was truly out to get him...or maybe he was emotionally charged in the moment and didn't know what he was doing...

-

The night before the election at the Puppington apartment was oddly quiet. Bloberta mostly cleaned dusty crevices and areas that couldn't be seen typically without searching for it. It brought her a strange sense of contentment but she could also sense the tension Clay was more distant than usual. Typical Clay being either hung up on something and or completely oblivious to others around him. Clay looked out to the window of the dark sky depressed, and angry. If he could have any control of this town the only real demand he would have is to make sure it would leave him alone. The rest could be done by Censordoll or Putty, not that he didn't have beliefs or opinions on the town but he didn't really care to do the heavy ideological nonsense, it both led him to believe he'd be more scrutinized and he'd probably have to do more work and neither details appealed to him.

Clay went to the bedroom like a mouse, Bloberta had noticed and followed curiously, and surprisingly Clay didn't crash on his bed as usual. Instead Clay peered under his mattress to reveal a small revolver he brought out into his hands and sitting on the bed putting all his focus on the weapon. Bloberta didn't know whether to aggressively/cautiously intervene or to just simply ask what was on his mind to bring the pistol out. But out of nowhere Clay had already noticed Bloberta's presence and asked: "Do you know what this dinky gun means to me, Bloberta?" Bloberta hesitated to answer with what could be construed as offensive, plus she really didn't know what it truly meant to him at this point in time. Bloberta could only imagine it brought on feelings of hurt and tragedy...

"No, Clay...What does it mean to you?"

"My father abandoned a time honored tradition, this gun was a right of passage from Father to Son." Bloberta just stared at Clay who intently examined the gun like an idol of sorts. "I kept this gun around to remind me how my dad was a disappointment and to assure myself I'd never be like him."

"I don't think..." Bloberta attempted to assure Clay but Clay interrupted.

"But now...Because of you this gun means something entirely different to me now. Now it reminds me to be a good person, a husband and firstly a good father. I finally have the chance to be better than to totally disregard my son after he turns 12 years old..." Bloberta although touched by some of his words could see it was coming from a negative place. She offered a bit of a smile and could only say:

"I think you'll do your best as a father. I- I- I hope you know I'm trying to be a good wife." Bloberta left the room as Clay still fixated on the gun only flinched a little at her statement. She was the least of his concerns right now, he was beginning to take her for granted, his subconscious telling him that she would always be by his side no matter what the circumstances.

Hubris began to take over...

Proverbs 11.2: "When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom."