The United Forums of Neptune Circle

Chapter 2: Presidential Candidates

"What a strange man…" Jade thought to herself as she watched the two men from the steps. Turtle-Man was very much like a turtle, in shape. He also had gigantic round glasses that were big enough to see the other side of the moon.

BearFrog took a sip of tea, and then went back to the smoking of his pipe.

"Still smoking, BearFrog? You really should kick that nasty habit. It's bad for you." Turtle-Man said, sipping his tea.

"Hey, I don't need to be lectured by a man who is now both homeless and divorced."

"True, true. So, who's the girl?" asked Turtle-Man.

"Her?" asked BearFrog, pointing his pipe at her without looking, "She's Jade Siren, a newly arrived immigrant. She apparently has no family and no place to stay, so I offered to let her stay here until she can find a job and a place of her own."

"But, she is a teenager. Does she not need to go to school and get an education?"

"Hm…you're right TM. I guess my mind hasn't been working right as of late. But…I can't simply allow a teenager to stay here!! I have so much work, so many clients! Let us not forget that her education is nowhere near that of the other girls of her age!"

"Perhaps she could work as a secretary for you?"

"Nay, she lacks the knowledge of our language, plus I could not afford to pay here. Damn cutbacks."

"Well, why don't you and I teach her here, and then once she is ready we can send her to school."

"Brilliant, Turtle-Man! This study is crammed full of books that we can use to teach her! I shall teach her Literature, Politics, Biology and History while you can teach her about all the other crap I never use."

BearFrog turned to Jade.

"Jade, come here for a moment."

Jade nervously walked into the room and stood between the two sitting men, looking at BearFrog.

"Jade, we would like to enroll you in our nation's educational facilities. But, seeing as your knowledge of language is limited, as is your education as you obviously come from Noshika, we shall teach you until you are ready to enter school system."

"I…never say I from Noshika!" yelled Jade.

"Yes, but it is obvious that you are. The clothes you are wearing are obviously Noshikan garb, the dirt on your left cheek is Noshikan Mercuran soil, and your combination of orange and black hair is the typical colors of Noshikan hair. Elementary, really."

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"Ele…Elementary, really." Jade said, imitating BearFrog.

"Excellent job! You're learning already! Well, I shall give you your English lessons tomorrow. I need some rest now. TM, it is evening now, why not give her an Astrology lesson."

"Astronomy." Corrected TM.

"Whatever."

Jade turned to Turtle-Man, who was getting up. He walked over to the book shelf as BearFrog cleaned up his papers. Grabbing out a book called "The Universe", TM opened up to a page with a picture of the Solar System.

"This is our Solar System," Began Turtle-Man, "We live on Earth." Turtle Man said as he pointed to the blue planet.

"Earth." Repeated Jade.

"Yes, Earth. Earth, along with all of these other planets orbit around the sun."

"Argh, damnit TM! Now I have to forget that all over again! Ugh!" said an annoyed BearFrog as he exited the room with his papers.

"Heh. Same old BearFrog."

"I'M NOT OLD!!" yelled BearFrog.

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"And that is why big business is, and always will be, evil. Thank you." Maci says into the microphone. A few claps came from the audience, but mostly yawning. Maci walked off the stage and looked to Jag3k, who was clapping.

"Great speech, Maci! Excellent job!" Jag3k said, smiling a most greedy smile.

"Pffh. Next time get someone other than the television news to come to a press conference."

"Honestly, Maci! Why would we do such a thing? We don't own the printed media!!"

Maci glared at Jag3k. He sighed. Jag3k was really starting to get on his nerves. He had such a foul and mean tone, and his favoritism to big business was a bit too much. But, luckily Rocky was president. He may have been a Boblican, but he knew what he was doing. Had it not been for Rocky, Maci would not have accepted an offer to being a cabinet official.

"This society won't last long…"Maci sighed as he leaned up against a wall. "Not long at all…"

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"Mr. President, here are those intelligence reports," Said Senior Political Advisor Ziggy Andros the 45th as he handed him a yellow folder. "I've already reviewed them and to me it seems like we simply do not have enough information to make any serious moves. I suggest we play it safe for now."

Rocky did not reply: he simply scanned through the documents.

"Mr. President, I've heard rumors that a few cabinet officials are possible presidential candidates in the next year." Said Ziggy.

"So what? The Demobobs have always had a thing for partisan hackery." Said Rocky as he continued reading.

"No sir, not just the Demobobs."

At this Rocky suddenly stopped. He looked up at Ziggy with a look of concern.

"You don't mean…"

"They're getting restless, sir. They want action to be taken now.

"But Ziggy, I-"

"Sir, the country may love you, but the Boblicans sure don't right now. If you don't make a move now you may loose your re-election to one of your own cabinet officials."

Rocky was sweating fiercely. He did not want to make such a drastic move without all the knowledge needed, yet he did not want to lose the presidency. Finally, he spoke.

"Ziggy…What should I do?"

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Ring! Ring!

"I hate my cell phone," said BearFrog as he woke up. He groggily walked over to his desk and picked up his cell-phone, which he answered.

"Hello?" he asked.

"Hi, BearFrog! What's up?" asked the voice of P.J., one of the top organizers for the Demobobic party.

"Me, because of this phone call."

"Sorry about that. Listen, I wanted to ask you something."

"Go ahead."

"Well, you're one of the most influential political figures in the nation."

"Not really, the administration hardly ever listens to me."

"Be that as it may, the country views you as one of the smartest people in the administration and one of the most influential ones."

"Point?"

"Well, next year is an election year and the Demobobs need a good, strong candidate to beat Rocky Pinnicle. The man has never lost an election before and we need someone with a strong record, strong personality and strong conviction. I was wondering if you were interested in running."

"Not interested. I'm busy and I don't have time to go through all those stupid primaries."

"But-"

"Hold, on. I have a call on the other line."

Beep.

"Hello?" asked BearFrog.

"Hey BearFrog. It's Maplin. Anonymous Tip: Moriarty's supposed to meet someone near Warehouse 49 on the docks in fifteen minutes."

"Great Scott, this is heavy! Thanks, Maplin!!" yelled BearFrog as he hung up on him and switched to the other line. "I have to go. I have a job to do."

Beep.

BearFrog got dressed back into his outfit quickly, hid his pistol in his shirt and tied his samurai sword (in it's sheath) to his belt and ran out the door looking just like Sherlock, only swifter. Rushing out the door, he knocked down the ladder Turtle was climbing up the ladder. The Turtle fell on his back and could not get up.

Quickly helping his friend, he picked him up and said "No time, old chap! The Game's afoot! Come!"

"But the girl-" Turtle said as he looked at Jade, who was standing there silently.

BearFrog was already off. Turtle stammered around for a bit and then finally told Jade to stay there, and then he ran off to follow his swiftly moving comrade. Jade simply stood there and scratched her head.

"These Neptunians are strange people," She said.