The Long Summer 31
Xander fidgeted with the tie. It seemed to be strangling him. He glanced down at his suit and flicked off some imaginary dust. He declined to sit in one of the plush chairs the secretary offered for him to wait in. The suit wasn't particularly expensive, but expensive enough.
It didn't seem prudent to wrinkle it before the eleven o'clock. He caught himself fidgeting with his tie again. He glanced at the mirror in the corner and straightened the tie properly. He smoothed it down and examined his overall image. It would do.
"Mr. Harris?" The secretary opened the door to the mayor's office. "The Mayor will see you now."
Xander gave the woman an obligatory nod. With one last twist at his tie, he stepped past her into the inner sanctum.
"May I get you some coffee?"
"Yes, please. Thank you. Three sugars, a little cream."
"I'll be right back with that."
Xander's eyes lingered along the curves framed by her linen skirt. He shook his mind off such thoughts and turned his attention toward the large desk that sat in the middle of the office and the man sitting behind it.
"Well, well, Mr. Harris. Mr. Harris." The man took to his feet and circled the desk. He offered Xander a hand and pumped it in a friendly manner as they shook hands. "Robert Wilson, it's a pleasure to finally meet you."
"Mr. Wilson." Xander's bemused expression rested on the somewhat thinning hair that decorated the blonde man's pate. He was a man of average height and looks, though his smile seemed to be a permanent fixture. "It's an honor to meet you as well."
Wilson laughed and clapped Xander's shoulder. He looked past the younger man briefly as the pretty little secretary in her dark linen skirt returned. "Here's your coffee Mr. Harris and I brought you a fresh cup as well, Mr. Wilson."
"You're one in a million, Betty." Wilson's charm focused on the younger woman and Xander's interest rose briefly as she seemed to glow under the praise. "Hold all my calls for a bit, would you?"
"Of course, Mr. Wilson. If you need anything, just buzz."
"You bet!" They both watched her retreat from the office, closing the door behind her. Wilson nodded to himself then gestured to the large, plush pair of chairs that faced Wilson's oversized desk. "Have a seat, Mr. Harris. We've some business to discuss and it's always best to discuss business when you're comfortable."
He took his own advice and settled himself back in the leather-upholstered chair that sat behind the desk. Xander waited a brief moment before sitting down. First impressions were made; wrinkling the pants now shouldn't have any long last impairment. He took possession of his coffee cup and sampled the flavor.
Quite good, actually.
Xander gazed across the desk at Wilson who seemed quite comfortable in his position of power.
"I suppose you are wondering why I asked for this meeting?" Wilson began casually.
"No." Xander shook his head. "Not really."
"Good. I hate having to explain these things, it's always so messy and metaphysical." Wilson laughed. "Most people in these parts just can't handle the explanation."
"I grew up here." Xander countered. "I'm pretty familiar with the way things work."
"That's right." Wilson's gaze turned speculative. "You did. In fact, it was during your graduation ceremony that the high school was blown up."
"Yes, sir." Xander nodded agreeably. "An unfortunate side-effect of the ascension." Xander shrugged. "We just graduated, no one really felt like being eaten."
Wilson actually laughed at that. "Mayor Wilkins was a bit of a pompous windbag. Still, the man possessed a certain style and panache."
"If you say so."
"Well, I do. You're very gracious to allow me that. So tell me, Mr. Harris. How are things progressing on the new school?"
"We're moving ahead of schedule. We were a bit behind at first, but my crews have stabilized the situation and we're moving apace. The library framing is complete; we're finishing up the exterior brickwork. Electricians and plumbing are done for now. We should be able to move inside within the next two weeks."
"Excellent!" Wilson leaned forward and slapped his desk for emphasis. "I really wasn't sure about their choice in you, Mr. Harris, I have to confess. You are bearing up to the job admirably, however. Our masters will be very pleased."
Xander merely nodded and took another sip of the coffee. "Things may get complicated in the next couple of weeks."
"Oh?"
"A friend of mine is coming home, I'll get the exterior work completed, but I'll need her help on the interior. That may require a bit of persuasion."
"Ahh - Ms. Rosenberg." Mr. Wilson's smile expanded if that were possible. "Yes, I can definitely see where her aid would be invaluable. Tell me, Mr. Harris, have you ever considered a position in politics?"
"Not particularly, no. Politicians are liars, cheats and charmers."
"You should consider it. I know we have an unsavory reputation, but this town needs good solid folk in its leadership. They are sheep after all and every flock needs a good shepherd."
Xander regarded the mayor with an air of skepticism. "I don't think I'd do overly well in the political arenas. I'm not real good with people."
"Maybe not in the past. But you've definitely got a new air about you these days. Think about it, if you're interested, I can always find a place for you on my staff after the school is finished. We could really go places, you and I."
Xander's skepticism didn't sway under the onslaught of the Mayor's charm. He merely nodded his head once and took a sip of the coffee. The Mayor leaned back once more in his chair. He seemed to be taking stock of Xander; much the same way Xander was assessing him.
In the end, Xander decided the Mayor would do his job. He would continue to provide all the support Xander required to finish the needed job. And Xander needed to finish building the school. It was like a fire on the brain, he really needed to finish rebuilding it.
"Would you care for some lunch, Mr. Harris? I could introduce you to a few people."
"That won't be necessary." Xander deferred. "I should get back to the worksite. I'll leave the entertaining up to you. I'm sure it's what you do best." He watched to see if the double meaning in his words rolled across to strike the mark.
He was satisfied by the Mayor's shuttered expression that he'd indeed touched a nerve. He took one last drink of the coffee and set the mug back on the Mayor's desk. He rose and Wilson followed suit.
They shook hands briefly and Xander turned on his heel to stride out.
"Mr. Harris?" Wilson called as Xander's hand reached the door. Xander didn't look back; he merely stood there, waiting.
"Watch your back, Mr. Harris." Wilson's tone was absolutely pleasant. "You're a fine asset, right now."
Xander smirked faintly, then turned the knob to let himself out. He exchanged a few pleasantries with the secretary before leaving the Mayor's offices and heading down the steps to the front of City Hall.
"Xander!" A familiar voice summoned his attention from the lists he was making in the back of his mind. He scanned the thinning crowd and frowned slightly as he caught sight of Anya hurrying toward him.
"Good morning, Anya." He nodded to her.
"Hi. Giles and I are here to renew our business license, but I saw you and I haven't spoken to you since that night at the shop. Giles told me about your efforts to rebuild and I wanted to say thank you. You should have mentioned it so I could have thanked you earlier, but thank you." The words came out in a rush and Xander found himself reminded of why he enjoyed talking to her sometimes.
"It wasn't important." Xander shrugged.
"But it is. It was an act of caring and remorse. We've been having trouble since you abandoned me at the altar and I've forgiven you for that, now, truly."
"All right." Xander hoped he sounded reasonable. "I'm glad the shop is going to reopen and things are going well."
"Extremely well, except for the parts where everyone is very worried about you. Buffy and Giles have been speaking about you on regular basis." Anya's eyes narrowed. "You are keeping things from the rest of us aren't you?"
"Anya, I'm busy. I'm figuring things out. Let's leave it at that."
"You're trying to distract me because I'm on target, right?"
"No," Xander replied patiently. "I'm trying to tell you to mind your own business."
Anya blinked at him as Xander offered her another faint smile. She frowned and then looked away. Xander suspected she was looking for Giles; he took her momentary distraction to slip away. He didn't want Anya looking to closely at him.
She tended to call a spade, a spade.
They could avoid that for a bit longer yet.
Xander fidgeted with the tie. It seemed to be strangling him. He glanced down at his suit and flicked off some imaginary dust. He declined to sit in one of the plush chairs the secretary offered for him to wait in. The suit wasn't particularly expensive, but expensive enough.
It didn't seem prudent to wrinkle it before the eleven o'clock. He caught himself fidgeting with his tie again. He glanced at the mirror in the corner and straightened the tie properly. He smoothed it down and examined his overall image. It would do.
"Mr. Harris?" The secretary opened the door to the mayor's office. "The Mayor will see you now."
Xander gave the woman an obligatory nod. With one last twist at his tie, he stepped past her into the inner sanctum.
"May I get you some coffee?"
"Yes, please. Thank you. Three sugars, a little cream."
"I'll be right back with that."
Xander's eyes lingered along the curves framed by her linen skirt. He shook his mind off such thoughts and turned his attention toward the large desk that sat in the middle of the office and the man sitting behind it.
"Well, well, Mr. Harris. Mr. Harris." The man took to his feet and circled the desk. He offered Xander a hand and pumped it in a friendly manner as they shook hands. "Robert Wilson, it's a pleasure to finally meet you."
"Mr. Wilson." Xander's bemused expression rested on the somewhat thinning hair that decorated the blonde man's pate. He was a man of average height and looks, though his smile seemed to be a permanent fixture. "It's an honor to meet you as well."
Wilson laughed and clapped Xander's shoulder. He looked past the younger man briefly as the pretty little secretary in her dark linen skirt returned. "Here's your coffee Mr. Harris and I brought you a fresh cup as well, Mr. Wilson."
"You're one in a million, Betty." Wilson's charm focused on the younger woman and Xander's interest rose briefly as she seemed to glow under the praise. "Hold all my calls for a bit, would you?"
"Of course, Mr. Wilson. If you need anything, just buzz."
"You bet!" They both watched her retreat from the office, closing the door behind her. Wilson nodded to himself then gestured to the large, plush pair of chairs that faced Wilson's oversized desk. "Have a seat, Mr. Harris. We've some business to discuss and it's always best to discuss business when you're comfortable."
He took his own advice and settled himself back in the leather-upholstered chair that sat behind the desk. Xander waited a brief moment before sitting down. First impressions were made; wrinkling the pants now shouldn't have any long last impairment. He took possession of his coffee cup and sampled the flavor.
Quite good, actually.
Xander gazed across the desk at Wilson who seemed quite comfortable in his position of power.
"I suppose you are wondering why I asked for this meeting?" Wilson began casually.
"No." Xander shook his head. "Not really."
"Good. I hate having to explain these things, it's always so messy and metaphysical." Wilson laughed. "Most people in these parts just can't handle the explanation."
"I grew up here." Xander countered. "I'm pretty familiar with the way things work."
"That's right." Wilson's gaze turned speculative. "You did. In fact, it was during your graduation ceremony that the high school was blown up."
"Yes, sir." Xander nodded agreeably. "An unfortunate side-effect of the ascension." Xander shrugged. "We just graduated, no one really felt like being eaten."
Wilson actually laughed at that. "Mayor Wilkins was a bit of a pompous windbag. Still, the man possessed a certain style and panache."
"If you say so."
"Well, I do. You're very gracious to allow me that. So tell me, Mr. Harris. How are things progressing on the new school?"
"We're moving ahead of schedule. We were a bit behind at first, but my crews have stabilized the situation and we're moving apace. The library framing is complete; we're finishing up the exterior brickwork. Electricians and plumbing are done for now. We should be able to move inside within the next two weeks."
"Excellent!" Wilson leaned forward and slapped his desk for emphasis. "I really wasn't sure about their choice in you, Mr. Harris, I have to confess. You are bearing up to the job admirably, however. Our masters will be very pleased."
Xander merely nodded and took another sip of the coffee. "Things may get complicated in the next couple of weeks."
"Oh?"
"A friend of mine is coming home, I'll get the exterior work completed, but I'll need her help on the interior. That may require a bit of persuasion."
"Ahh - Ms. Rosenberg." Mr. Wilson's smile expanded if that were possible. "Yes, I can definitely see where her aid would be invaluable. Tell me, Mr. Harris, have you ever considered a position in politics?"
"Not particularly, no. Politicians are liars, cheats and charmers."
"You should consider it. I know we have an unsavory reputation, but this town needs good solid folk in its leadership. They are sheep after all and every flock needs a good shepherd."
Xander regarded the mayor with an air of skepticism. "I don't think I'd do overly well in the political arenas. I'm not real good with people."
"Maybe not in the past. But you've definitely got a new air about you these days. Think about it, if you're interested, I can always find a place for you on my staff after the school is finished. We could really go places, you and I."
Xander's skepticism didn't sway under the onslaught of the Mayor's charm. He merely nodded his head once and took a sip of the coffee. The Mayor leaned back once more in his chair. He seemed to be taking stock of Xander; much the same way Xander was assessing him.
In the end, Xander decided the Mayor would do his job. He would continue to provide all the support Xander required to finish the needed job. And Xander needed to finish building the school. It was like a fire on the brain, he really needed to finish rebuilding it.
"Would you care for some lunch, Mr. Harris? I could introduce you to a few people."
"That won't be necessary." Xander deferred. "I should get back to the worksite. I'll leave the entertaining up to you. I'm sure it's what you do best." He watched to see if the double meaning in his words rolled across to strike the mark.
He was satisfied by the Mayor's shuttered expression that he'd indeed touched a nerve. He took one last drink of the coffee and set the mug back on the Mayor's desk. He rose and Wilson followed suit.
They shook hands briefly and Xander turned on his heel to stride out.
"Mr. Harris?" Wilson called as Xander's hand reached the door. Xander didn't look back; he merely stood there, waiting.
"Watch your back, Mr. Harris." Wilson's tone was absolutely pleasant. "You're a fine asset, right now."
Xander smirked faintly, then turned the knob to let himself out. He exchanged a few pleasantries with the secretary before leaving the Mayor's offices and heading down the steps to the front of City Hall.
"Xander!" A familiar voice summoned his attention from the lists he was making in the back of his mind. He scanned the thinning crowd and frowned slightly as he caught sight of Anya hurrying toward him.
"Good morning, Anya." He nodded to her.
"Hi. Giles and I are here to renew our business license, but I saw you and I haven't spoken to you since that night at the shop. Giles told me about your efforts to rebuild and I wanted to say thank you. You should have mentioned it so I could have thanked you earlier, but thank you." The words came out in a rush and Xander found himself reminded of why he enjoyed talking to her sometimes.
"It wasn't important." Xander shrugged.
"But it is. It was an act of caring and remorse. We've been having trouble since you abandoned me at the altar and I've forgiven you for that, now, truly."
"All right." Xander hoped he sounded reasonable. "I'm glad the shop is going to reopen and things are going well."
"Extremely well, except for the parts where everyone is very worried about you. Buffy and Giles have been speaking about you on regular basis." Anya's eyes narrowed. "You are keeping things from the rest of us aren't you?"
"Anya, I'm busy. I'm figuring things out. Let's leave it at that."
"You're trying to distract me because I'm on target, right?"
"No," Xander replied patiently. "I'm trying to tell you to mind your own business."
Anya blinked at him as Xander offered her another faint smile. She frowned and then looked away. Xander suspected she was looking for Giles; he took her momentary distraction to slip away. He didn't want Anya looking to closely at him.
She tended to call a spade, a spade.
They could avoid that for a bit longer yet.