Disclaimer: I do not own Danny Phantom.
AN: This take place near the end of Phantom Planet in Amity Park while the world and Amity Park are Celebrating not having been destroyed by the Diassteroid, Amity Park City Council has called a meeting.
Vacancy
"Ah," said Mr. Pikerson from his place at the head of the polished conference table, "It looks like we are all here so we can begin. Thank you for coming."
Franklin Shimmerman looked up as the last of Amity Park's council members arrived. He closed his laptop and pushed aside heaps of folders, newspapers, and faxes. Franklin wished Rich Pinkerson would drop the air of self-importance he had picked up ever since Vlad announced his candidacy.
"Why have you called this meeting, Richard?" demanded Constance Asbury.
"I know you would rather be home celebrating with your families and friends, but we have matters of pressing urgency to attend to," the man answered from his place at the head of the table.
"I think I speak for everyone when I say that we're glad we're celebrating instead of floating as random bits of space dust," Margery Wilkovsky said.
"Yes, thank you Marge, we can always count on you to spin the sound bite," Rodney Wilkes sneered, "Now what's the emergency?"
"You might not have noticed, but now that Mr. Masters is gone, our fair city is without a mayor," Mr. Pinkerton announced as if pulling a rabbit out of his hat.
.
.
There was a moment of silence as they looked at each other finally Rodney Wilkes commented sardonically, "I suppose you have checked the bylaws to find out what procedures are in the event that the mayor turns out to be a megalomaniac ghost trying to take over the world.
Franklin cleared his throat, "Actually, I did. 'In the event that the mayor dies, is incapacitated, or is unable to perform his duties, the city council will appoint an interim mayor to finish the term,'" he quoted from a thick document.
"In other words," Mr. Pinkerman clarified, "You can appoint me."
.
.
Constance snorted derisively, "I think your acceptance speech is premature."
"I nominate Constance Ashbury," Margery piped up.
"Don't be such an obsequious toad, Marge," Rodney Wilkes sneered.
"I just think it would be better if he didn't 'run' unopposed," Ms. Wilkosky said defensively.
"So you think a divisive appointment would be better than a unanimous one," Franklin observed dryly.
"Marge votes for Connie, but I've still got the majority," Pinkerton said smugly.
"What makes you think I'm going to vote for you?" Rodney asked with a sly grin.
"I'm the obvious choice," Pinkerton blustered.
"I've got the support of the Teacher's Association, not to mention the women's vote," Ashbury countered.
"The business sector supports me. So do the police," Richard Pinkerton declared.
Rodney Wilkes held up his hands to forestall any further electioneering. "I've heard all your campaign speeches before. What I want to know is what can do for me?"
"Rod, I'm surprised!" Richard exclaimed smoothly, "We've been friends for such a long time. If only I was in a position to make this town more business friendly for your law firm."
Connie's lips parted in a wicked grin, "I could tell what I know about your dealings."
.
.
"I'll deny it," Mr. Wilkes fired back.
"In politics, the accusation is enough to destroy a career," Mrs. Ashbury countered, "Besides, are you so sure I don't have proof?"
"Hmm…" Wilkes hummed thoughtfully. "And what about you, Mr. Shimmerman, do you have any incentives?"
"No," Franklin answered curtly.
"Are you keeping your options open or just afraid to make a commitment?" Constance inquired contemptuously.
"Or thinking of making a bid yourself?" Rodney Wilkes speculated.
"You don't have the support," Pinkerton couldn't quite hide that he felt betrayed.
Franklin Shimmerman sighed, "It's all a moot point; none of us are eligible."
.
.
"What do you mean?" Mr. Pinkerton demanded.
"In case you have forgotten, all of us were hand-picked by Vlad Masters. All of us made a point to publically give our support to our erstwhile mayor. Unfortunately, our constituents aren't likely to forget," Shimmerman explained.
"We were duped just like everyone else!" protested Margery.
"Now there's a campaign slogan for you, Marge" Rodney chuckled dryly.
"But why does that mean we can't be appointed?" Margery asked.
"The problem is," Connie explained, "that if anyone should have known something was going on, it should have been us. So, either we're idiots or we've been concealing things. Neither of which is going to go over well."
Pinkerton, rubbed his hands over his face and groaned. "There's going to be an inquiry."
"So? They won't find anything will they?" Wilkes asked Shimmerman.
"I don't know what supernatural things Vlad might have done, but he insisted the books look clean," Shimmerman answered.
"It doesn't matter; it will be a witch hunt. We'll be lucky if we can stay out of prison," Rodney said with false flippancy.
"Our only hope is to appoint someone who is so anti-Vlad that it puts us above reproach," Richard said.
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.
A grim silence settled on the room.
"What about Montez?" Ashbury suggested.
"The previous mayor?" Pinkerton asked
"He's definitely anti-Vlad," Wilkes agreed. "He's always claimed that there was something off about the election."
"He's probably right," Shimmerman observed.
Pinkerton shook his head. "He's also that last person to forget that we were in Vlad's pocket and will be the first one to go after us."
"Anyone else?" inquired Wilkosky.
"The Fentons?" Wilkes suggested. "They're definitely anti-Vlad."
There was a scattering of laughter.
"Actually, Jack was pro-Vlad in the last election," Ashbury said.
"Can we go out of state?" asked Pinkerton.
AN: This one was a weird one for me. I am usually wary about OC's but this on not only is made entirely OC's (and not particularly likable ones at that) but doesn't actually have any cannon characters at all. It also has a strange dribble-drabble format of alternating 200 and 100 words.
I want to thank my Beta, Truephan for not only catching assorted grammatical errors but giving me things to think about.
Part two will be posted soon.