Chapter 2: At City Hall and the meeting

Later that morning, Shaggy, Scooby, Fred and Velma met up near the mayor's office in City Hall.

"Thanks for coming over to meet me here, gang." Fred said to Shaggy, Scooby and Velma as they waited outside the closed door to the mayor's office. "It's never a good thing when Mayor Dad asks me to meet him in his office."

"Like, not a problem, man." Shaggy replied. "That's what friends are for, eh?"

"Reah!" Scooby agreed. "Too rad Raphne couldn't make it."

"Yeah." Velma nodded. "But at least you still got me for support, Freddie."

Fred nodded in reply, but before he could say something, the door to the mayor's office opened, and out came the mayor.

"Ah, Fred my boy." Mayor Fred Jones Sr. says as he saw his son and the gang outside. "Today's an exciting day for you."

He then placed his hands on Fred Jr.'s shoulders as he continued, "Because today, you'll be learning the family business of politics."

"Here we go." Fred Jr. remarked in his mind before turning to his father and said, "Uh, I'd be happy to, Dad, but..."

"Ah, perfect!" Fred Sr. smiled as he cut off his son's reply. "You'll be learning the vital stuff about our operations over here in City Hall, such as seeing where our tax dollars go, the infrastructure that shapes our city, planning bus routes. Big stuff such as urban planning all the way down to the small stuff like placing a new parking metre."

"I believe I know where he could place a new parking metre." Velma whispered to Shaggy and Scooby as Fred Sr. made the remark.

"Um...Fine, Dad." Fred Jr. replied.

"Awesome." Fred Sr. smiled before reaching into a pocket inside his suit jacket and pulled out a brochure. "First thing for you and your friends to do is to produce copies of my elections brochure for the upcoming election in May."

Fred Jr. took the brochure from his father and examined it, not sure what to say as his friends looked on.

Meanwhile, over at the Blake Mansion, Daphne made her way down the stairs after the phone call to Shaggy.

Her parents were in the living room waiting impatiently, along with a figure staring out of the living room window.

"What took you so long, Daphne?" Her mother Nan asked as she made her way down the stairs.

"Don't tell me you were on the phone with that hippie again, Daphne." Her father Barty added.

"Sorry, Mom, Dad." Daphne replied as she arrived in the living room. "I was on the phone with Velma, asking her about a math question, and the explanations took longer than I have anticipated."

Barty and Nan looked at each other before turning back to their youngest daughter as the former said, "Well, either way, honey. Your mother and I will like you to meet someone we believe suits you well and is better than that hippie you're seeing almost everyday."

"Yes." Nan nodded. "Meet Rung Ladderton, heir to the Ladderton Oil Company."

At that moment, the figure staring out of the window turned to face the Blakes, revealing a fairly handsome-looking brown-haired young man wearing a blue suit jacket, light green turtleneck, light green trousers, brown shoes and a purple ascot.

"Miss Daphne Blake, I presume?" Rung asked as Daphne walked towards him.

"Yes." Daphne replied awkwardly before offering her hand. "Uh...Nice meeting you."

"Likewise." Rung replied as he shook her hand. Although he said the exact lines Shaggy had said several months ago when he and Daphne first met (See D3 SDMI: The Mystery Begins), Daphne didn't feel any magic or chemistry coming from Rung when he shook her hand.

Just then, she felt something was slipped into her hand from Rung, and when she looked, she saw a small jewelry box containing what appeared to be a ring with a diamond.

Seeing the look on her face, Rung explained, "Oh, it's just a little present I always give out to people I met, particularly for promotional purposes."

"Oh, I see." Daphne nodded understandingly. "Thanks for the present, but I've already got one."

She then pulled out the mystery locket she had discovered in the caves several weeks back (See D3 SDMI: Beware the Beast from Below) and showed it to Rung.

"Well, either way, give me a call and I'll set up a magical date in town." Rung said. "My work at the city's major oil company rarely sleeps, so I better go now."

He then raced off to the main door as Nan smiled, "A magical date in town. Just adorable."

Barty nodded in agreement as he and Nan waved Rung goodbye.

Rung's gentleman pose and movements earned praise from Barty and Nan, with the former remarking, "Oh...my...goodness. He's so perfect for you, pumpkin."

"Well, if you're setting me up with him, then yeah." Daphne sighed, and her parents can tell that something was bothering her.

"Is something wrong, dear?" Nan asked as she and Barty followed Daphne to the stairs. "He's the perfect gentleman for you."

"Yeah." Barty nodded in agreement. "Think about helping the family getting a name in the oil and gas industry sector."

"Yes, I know." Daphne nodded. "He does seem nice, but I just felt that there's something missing."

"Like what?" Barty asked.

"I don't know how to describe this." Daphne replied as she sat on the stairs and sighed, not wanting to spoil her parents good, cheerful mood by confessing her feelings towards Shaggy and Scooby.

"Oh, honey." Barty said as his wife placed her arm on Daphne's shoulder. "You should give Rung a chance."

"Yeah." Nan agreed. "Once he sets you up on a date and you get to know him better, then you'll see."

"Sure." Daphne nodded, although deep down she wanted to ask her friends, particularly Shaggy and Scooby, about their opinions on Rung.

I know this chapter is short, but don't worry, the next chapter will make up for the shortness.

Please read and review!