"Here we are! Stop number one!" Peridot says with enthusiasm as she points a parked vehicle out to Lapis.
The vehicle looks almost identical to Mayor Dewey's election vehicle except on the roof of the vehicle is a giant fly head and "Your Fly Is Down" is written on the side. Standing infront of the vehicle is an older man with a bad combover, a thick mustache, and an eyepatch. He's wearing a brown suit and is standing awkwardly rigid.
"Are you sure?" Lapis asks full of hesitation. "I don't think I've ever seen this human before."
"I've seen him around." Peridot says reassuringly. "Amethyst says that he's an exterminator. They take care of insect and rodent infestations."
"That is correct, young lady." The Man says with a smile. He speaks with an accent unfamiliar to the two gems. In Lapis's mind it sort of resembles Sniffling Croissant from Crying Breakfast Friends.
"Uhm... Mr. Exterminator." Lapis says as she approaches him and extends a hand for a handshake. "My name is Lapis Lazuli. I'm running for mayor and would like to ask you a couple questions about being a business owner in Beach City."
He looks at her hand and doesn't accept it. Lapis slowly lowers her hand back to her side. "Ah, yes." The Man says. "It's that time of year again. I'm glad to see that sniveling coward has an opponent this time around! What would you like to know?"
"Well..." Lapis glances down at the palm of her hand and begins to read from the notes she had written. "As a member of the working class, what hardships do you face in the Beach City economic structure?"
"Ah. If it is hardships you wish to discuss, eye would be happy to oblige." The Man says with a disturbing grin as he points to his eyepatch.
"Wait. You're missing an eye?" Peridot and Lapis both ask at the same time, Lapis with a tone of concern and Peridot with one of intrigue.
"Yes... Back in my youth when I had first started my extermination career. It was in The Outback." The Man reminises.
"Where on Earth is that?" Lapis asks.
"... The Steakhouse off exit 345." The Man says as he points West. "It was a terrifying encounter, one that gave me a healthy respect for the insect world and shaped me into the man you see before you."
Peridot and Lapis both exchange looks of concern.
"If you want, I can show you my... Collection." The Man says with a grin as he opens the back of his van.
Lapis and Peridot both exchange even more concerned glances and approach the van.
Meanwhile on the boardwalk, Mayor Dewey is standing infront of his election vehicle talking through a megaphone. Pearl is handing out glow-sticks and buttons. Her mind is elsewhere. She hands a glow-stick and a button to Greg.
"Heya Pearl!" Greg says with a smile.
"Oh. Hello Greg." Pearl says as she finally notices who was talking to her. "Here to show your support for the Dewey campaign?"
"Here to get lunch." Greg says as he points over to the hotdog stand. "I didn't know you were into politics."
"Yes. I'm fascinated." Pearl says, obviously lying. Greg notices.
"Well... Have fun." Greg says as he heads towards the hotdog stand.
"Yes. Thank you. Enjoy your lunch." Pearl responds.
"Oh! And Pearll!" Greg yells back. "Don't let your personal issues ruin Dewey's chances!"
Pearl cringes when she realizes that Greg has caught onto her lie.
"... And that is why healthcare, economic stability, and family values are important!" Dewey says as he finishes up his vague speech. "Any questions?"
"Yes!" Kofi Pizza says from within the small crowd that has gathered. "Have you read my letter asking for financial support when monsters and aliens break my shop!"
"That is a very valid concern..." Dewey says with a shaking tone as he pulls at his suit collar. "And I promise that something will come of that!"
Dewey smiles, and Pearl gives Kofi a glow-stick and a button. Kofi looks satisfied with the answer.
"Any other questions?" Dewey asks the crowd.
"What are your plans to fortify the town when the Rock People's invasion fleet finally reaches Earth!?" Ronaldo yells from the back of the crowd.
"Uhm... You see..." Dewey hesitates. As soon as an answer pops into his mind he just blurts it out. "An answer to a question that important is best left to be answered at the upcoming debate!"
With that question being answered, Dewey and Pearl both get back into the election vehicle and head further down the boardwalk to the next presentation spot.
At this point in time, Lapis and Peridot are leaving the parking lot that the exterminator is parked in and heading towards the boardwalk. Lapis cheerfully waves goodbye, and the man salutes back. Peridot looks physically ill and is actually even greener in the face than usual, her knees shaking.
"You know. At first I thought he was creepy, but he's actually pretty nice." Lapis says with a smile and a spring in her step. "And I've never seen so many bugs!"
"Steven is never going to a steakhouse, and all drinking water must be boiled!" Peridot says as she covers her mouth with her hand. If she had food in her system, she'd probably be throwing up by now.
Lapis looks down at Peridot and smiles widely. "Something bugging you, Peri?"
Peridot looks up at Lapis with astonishment. "How are you smiling after seeing that!?" Peridot yells out. "Its... Its-" Peridot just shudders.
"Its wasn't that bad, Peri." Lapis says still smiling. "Plus, I think they liked you." Lapis points at the ground behind Peridot. "I mean, one of the big ones even followed you!"
Peridot lets out a scream and jumps into Lapis's arms and clings tightly to Lapis. Lapis laughs. "I was only joking. There's nothing there." After a brief silence. "You can get down now" Peridot does not respond. "... Peri?"
It takes awhile, but Peridot and Lapis eventually continue walking down the boardwalk. Peridot making sure to keep a few steps ahead of Lapis.
"Come on Peri. Don't bee mad!" Lapis says with a giggle. "It was just a joke... You don't have to fly off the handle like this!"
Peridot stops and groans. "How many of these jokes do you have!?"
"I'm running out." Lapis says with a smile. "After all, trying to work in bug puns is quite the mothfull."
Peridot groans again and facepalms. She's about to turn around and tell Lapis off when they both hear the standard "Mayor Dewey" chant from Dewey's election vehicle. They both turn and look. They see Dewey getting out of the van and pulling out his megaphone. Then stepping out of the other side of the van, holding a bag full of election supplies, is Pearl.
Peridot glares at Pearl. Pearl notices and just waves with a smile. Peridot grinds her teeth together and makes a frustrated noise. Lapis looks down at Peridot, concerned. "Peri?"
"Lapis." Peridot says trying to stay calm, but a hint of irritation leaks out of her voice. "Go on ahead. There's someone I have to talk to."
"Peridot, I don't think that-" Lapis starts.
"Please." Peridot cuts her off.
Lapis looks at Peridot and seriously nods. She then continues down the boardwalk before she suddenly stops and turns around.
"Peridot." Lapis says. She thinks better of what she was about to say. She turns around and continues on her campaign route.
Peridot takes a deep breath and slowly exhales. She then walks over towards Pearl...
((So many bug puns! But I felt I had to do it. Such an opportunity is fleating. I mean, how often is there a time beetween events that you can just stuff in puns? But yeah... The eyepatch guy from the crowd in "Political Power" has made a special guest appearance... And until the Crewniverse shows otherwise, I'm gonna assume that he's French. Why? Because I just rewatched Hellsing Ultimate over the weekend!
Originally I was going to have Peridot interested in the bugs and Lapis be grossed out. But then I realized something. Peridot is very naive. Besides ladybugs, butterflies, and other very common insects she probably hasn't seen much else. And Lapis. She's spent who knows how long in the darkest depths of the ocean as Malachite... She's probably seen some pretty biazarre and disturbing creatures in her day. So I switched the two roles and the scene flowed better (in my opinion) because of it.
On the topic of Dewey's side of the campaigning... He's doing... Well, atleast he didn't get side tracked. He's got that going for him, which is nice.))