#99 - Writer's Choice - Burn-Out
Changing of the Guard
Notes: I really like this concept in my verses more and more. I wanted to do it for my main verse too, and this way of doing it seems logical to me. I just can't feature Kalin liking paperwork at all. The department store was first introduced in an RP with Amber2002161.
Satisfaction Town had blossomed under Radley and Kalin's leadership. While Kalin led daily patrols and made sure everyone was safe, Radley came up with ideas to improve the infrastructure and life in the town. The highway connecting to the City was being built, the museum was becoming a reality, and there was now a multi-level department store instead of only small specialized shops.
Kalin was happy to see everything flourish. The townspeople were thrilled with the additions, and everything stayed in local hands. Radley knew enough about business to handle most projects himself, and then hired out to those in town with various special talents to be managers or curators or whatever else was needed.
On the other hand, Kalin didn't like that as mayor he had to not only attend but be the star of social functions and handle mountains of paperwork. The more the town built up, the more paperwork resulted. He continued to deal with it as long as he could, but finally it was just too much. Then he started looking for other solutions.
Radley noticed that more and more, Kalin was putting off paperwork or passing it on to Radley to work with. Being the mayor as well as the sheriff was exhausting even in a small town, but it seemed like it was more than that. Radley only let it go on for a certain amount of time before he spoke up about it.
"Hey, Kalin, are you still okay with everything on your plate? I get the feeling that you're wearing out."
They were sitting on the couch after a long day, just relaxing after getting home from the diner. Kalin looked ready to fall asleep right there.
"I'm still taking care of everything," Kalin grunted.
"You're giving me a lot of the paperwork to handle," Radley pointed out. "I don't mind, except that if it's too much for you now, I don't wanna see you force yourself to deal with it anyway."
Kalin groaned and pinched the bridge of his nose. "I still think you should have been mayor," he said. "I hate paperwork. I'm a man of action. You're into strategy and planning."
"I'm pretty sure you did a lot of both strategizing and planning to go against the duel gangs," Radley pointed out.
"It doesn't feel the same as that," Kalin said. "I like being the sheriff, patrolling for trouble and keeping everyone safe. I don't like socializing or signing bills or most of my other duties as mayor. You, on the other hand, like all those things!"
Radley pondered on that. ". . . You're right," he admitted. "I was too worn-out to be mayor before, and I knew the town would be safe with you in that position. But if it's really too much for you now, Kalin . . . I think I've recovered enough to take over from you, if that's what you really want."
Kalin looked concerned. "You're sure? You wouldn't just be doing it for my sake when you still don't want it?"
"Honestly, I really have been doing more and more of the mayoral duties lately, and I've found I like it," Radley said. "I enjoy being in charge. So, what do you say, Kalin? Shall I take over?"
The relief that filled Kalin's eyes was immense. "Yes!"
"On one condition," Radley added. "I still want to be chief deputy so we can work together."
Kalin smirked. "You're mayor. You can do whatever you want."
"You're still mayor now," Radley chuckled.
"And I want it too." Kalin pulled Radley close in a sweet hug.
Radley returned it. "Good," he smiled. But then he was serious again. "Kalin, why didn't you say something before?" He was sure he really knew the answer, but he still wanted to hear it from Kalin.
Indeed, Kalin gave a weary sigh. "You were so adamant you didn't want to be mayor. I didn't want to tell you how much I've been disliking it."
Radley sighed too, his shoulders slumping. "I should have said something before," he lamented. "I've definitely been noticing for a while how you've been passing more of the paperwork on to me."
"I guess it would be hard not to notice," Kalin grunted.
"Yeah," Radley said with a sad smile. "But it'll be cool now. You won't have to do as much of it . . . although you'll still have some as sheriff."
"I know," Kalin sighed. "I'll deal with that. But it honestly is a weight off my shoulders for you to take over as mayor."
"How shall we tell the townspeople?" Radley wondered. "I don't suppose you want to get up there and announce your strong dislike of paperwork and social functions."
"How do they do it in the big cities?" Kalin asked. "Don't they say things like 'for personal reasons, I'm stepping down'?"
"Sometimes," Radley said.
"Then we can say that, and quickly tell them that you're taking over," Kalin said.
Radley smiled. "Alright. We'll do it like that. They should be able to deal with it okay, especially since you'll still be here as sheriff."
Kalin nodded. "On the surface, not much will change. But deep down, I think this will be better for both of us . . . if you're really sure you want it now."
"I do," Radley said. "You're right that it makes sense." He leaned back into the couch and Kalin's arms. "And I'm looking forward to it."
