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Kath – So you like the mayor's name, huh? I admit it – I'm a big Simpsons fan and I borrowed the name from that show.
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Ben rushed into the sheriff's station, saying, "Floyd, quick, turn the T.V. on."
Floyd flipped a switch on the small black-and-white television set near the coffee machine. "Why? What's goin' on, Ben?"
"Mayor's callin' a press conference," Ben replied, rotating the knob on the television until he found the correct channel. "I heard 'em announce it on the radio in the car. Guess he's finally made up his mind about who's goin' to take over Stiles's place on the City Council." He squinted at the fuzzy reception on the television screen. "Probably ought to tell Lucas."
"Sheriff ain't here," Floyd said, nodding towards the closed office door. "He's been out a good part of the day."
Ben swung the T.V. antennas wildly about until Floyd said, "Stop right there, Ben. That's good." He peered at the screen. "Well, I guess we don't need to tell the sheriff. I see him right there." Floyd pointed to a corner of the television set.
Ben leaned over, moving the crossed antennas with him. He stared at the now blurry picture and sighed. That damn CBS station was so hard to get sometimes. "Floyd, get over here and hold this." He grabbed the other deputy by the shoulder, closed the man's hand around the antennas and positioned him to the left of the television. The picture cleared and Ben could see Mayor Quimby had chosen to hold the press conference on the steps of City Hall. Lucas stood almost directly in front of the podium staring up at the mayor.
Ben reached for the volume knob and realized it was missing. "Floyd, what the heck happened to the volume button?"
"It broke off."
Ben looked at him. "Well, where is it?"
"Uh, I think it's in my desk somewhere." Floyd frowned. "Unless I threw it out."
"How in the hell is anyone supposed to watch anything on here if there's no sound?" Ben demanded.
"Want me to see if I can find it in my desk?" As Floyd started to drop the antennas, the picture on the television screen blurred.
"No, no! Go back!" Ben waved a hand at him and leaned closer to the television.
A few members of the City Council stood on the steps behind the mayor. The television cameras panned the crowd of people and Ben saw Ronilyn Huntley standing on the second step. She leaned against the far railing with old Mrs. Broomley at her side. Selena Coombs stood in the center of the spectators, not doing anything, but Ben's eye was drawn to her nonetheless. Ben caught a quick glimpse of bank manager Jerry Davis off to one corner, continually glancing at Lucas, before the cameras returned to focus on the mayor.
Mayor Quimby stared down at his prepared statement as he spoke, but Ben could see his eyes flicker in Lucas's direction every few seconds. Damn Floyd and his volume knob. Suddenly, everyone was applauding and the mayor stepped away from the podium and held a hand out toward the two women on the side. Ronilyn patted Mrs. Broomley on the shoulder and grinned as the older woman walked over to shake the mayor's hand.
Ben's jaw dropped.
"Hey, is that old Mrs. Broomley?" Floyd asked, trying to hold the antennas and crane his neck to look at the television screen. "Well, shoot. I didn't know she was interested in bein' on the City Council. Wasn't she on there a long time ago? Ben?"
Ben squinted but the television cameras weren't panning the crowd anymore. Even though he couldn't see the sheriff, he just knew that this wasn't the outcome Lucas had planned. And that Lucas was going to be mighty upset about it. "Oh, hell," Ben said with feeling.