The stage seemed so much larger than Todd had ever realized. He'd been to the Zootopia Performing Arts Center before when plays and musicals came through, but the set had always made the stage seem smaller. Now only three podiums stood onstage atop a slightly elevated platform with a moderator's desk in front, and the sheer size of the space was staggering. Todd noticed a small stool behind one of the podiums, there so he wouldn't seem quite so short compared to his opponents. In the background, top-forty songs played over the speakers as the audience filtered in. Tonight was the last major debate of the election, but Todd's first. He, Dakota, and Hubert waited in the wings offstage, attempting to prep while staying out of the way of the crew.
"Mr. Renard, after your recent comments on ZNN you were criticized by some as a predator supremacist. Responding to this, you have defended yourself by saying you misspoke in the heat of the moment. Do you have the ability to think on your feet necessary to lead a city like Zootopia?" Hubert read off a card. He and Dakota had prepared every scenario they could foresee even possibly arising. Todd had wondered while they made the cards if they defeated the purpose of asking if he could think on his feet. Dakota hadn't found that funny.
"I absolutely have the ability to think on my feet. I could never have gotten as far as I have in my career nor on the campaign trail without it. Missteps happen, and it is unfortunate that one happened on live TV, but I don't make a habit of misspeaking," Todd half-recited back.
"Mr. Renard, your competitor Mr. Turnbull has said-" Dakota started.
"Dakota Latrans!" A bubbly voice rang out. Dakota's ears dropped as she wheeled around. She locked eyes with a tan rabbit who looked about her age. Dakota forced her ears up and put on a smile.
"Hannah, it's been so long," Dakota said through her smile. She turned to Todd and Hubert. "Guys, this is-"
"Hi, I'm Hannah Cotton, old colleague of Dakota's and campaign manager for Mayor Nileworthy," the rabbit jumped in.
Dakota sighed. "Yes. Well, Hannah, this is-"
"Todd Renard, of course I know who he is. He's all over the news," Hannah almost sounded starstruck, but Todd could feel an air of phoniness radiating off of her.
"It's nice to meet you Ms. Cotton," Todd politely extended a paw.
"Likewise," she returned the gesture. She turned to Hubert. "And you must be Hubert Hamilton. I enjoy your articles in the Times."
"Thank you," Hubert shook her paw as well.
"Well Dakota, I'm impressed. I thought you were done, but I guess I was wrong," Todd almost missed Hannah's quick glance his way.
"Done? What do you mean done?" Todd looked at Dakota, and for the first time saw fear.
"Oh, you haven't heard? I thought she would have told you," Hannah's voice was almost singsong.
"Told me what? Stop dancing around it," Todd barked.
"I shouldn't, but-" Hannah started.
"That I haven't won an election in five years," Dakota cut in before she could drag it out longer.
Todd said nothing for a moment, stunned. "Were you ever planning on telling me this?"
"I was hoping it wouldn't come up. Look, I'll tell you the whole story tonight but right now the debate is more important," Dakota attempted to maintain a professional tone, but couldn't hide the pleading in her voice.
"No, right now you need to tell me who exactly you are. I put my whole campaign in your hands more than once, and I'm only just now finding out this may not have been the best idea."
Hannah giggled. "Well, it seems like you have some catching up to do. I'll see you later, Dak."
Todd barely registered the bunny leaving. "Talk."
Dakota sighed. "Fine. Fifteen years or so ago, when I was just starting out in the field, I was a rising star of sorts. I mean, I had to rise through the ranks like anyone else, but by my thirties I was on top of the pile. I've put more than one mammal on the city council here, and even more out in the suburbs. I've even put mayors in office out there. No one was shocked when Boris Aurorsky asked me to manage his campaign for mayor of Zootopia.
"I'm sure you remember the disaster that was the Aurorsky campaign. We couldn't shake accusations that he had connections to Mr. Big. Every donation, every endorsement, everything was under constant scrutiny. We couldn't shift the discussion to anything else. I've never met a more clean-cut polar bear, but mammals believe what they want to believe.
"Lionheart killed us on election day. It wasn't even close. The results started off bad and just got worse as the night went on. The campaign was over, but I was symbolically fired anyway. It was humiliating. It was far and away the worst loss I'd ever suffered in a race.
"In the five years since, something changed. For whatever reason, I couldn't win a single election. A couple losses in a row isn't unheard of, but a five year dry spell? The campaign I managed before yours was for city treasurer and I couldn't even pull that one off," Dakota paused for a moment. More quietly she continued. "I never expected to manage your campaign. I had resigned myself to being a consultant or a field manager or something like that. I was prepared to officially take my first step down the ladder. When you didn't recognize me and didn't already have a campaign manager, I knew I could sneak my way in. I saw it as a shortcut back to my former glory, a redemption of sorts."
"All the while gambling my campaign," Todd bit.
"Well yes, but-"
"Do you realize how much money has gone into this campaign? How much has come out of my pocket directly? You've seen where I live. You know I don't have Turnbull's money."
"I know, but-"
Dakota was cut off by the thundering footsteps of Turnbull. "Clear off," the bull growled. He adjusted his tie. "It's time for the candidates to take the stage.".
Dakota opened her mouth to say something, then stopped herself. She and Hubert started to walk away. "Dakota," Todd called out. She turned around. "I'll decide in 48 hours."
She nodded solemnly and continued her march from the stage. Turnbull chuckled. "Trouble?" Todd refused to acknowledge him. Turnbull continued, "Just fire her. There are plenty of operatives out there ready to put a big-time race on their resume, even if it is a loss."
After a moment, Todd heard Nileworthy join the two of them. No one said a word. The tension between the candidates hung heavy in the air.
The moderator took the stage from the other wing: a water buffalo and political correspondent for ZNN. "Good evening, and welcome to the final debate between the candidates for Mayor of Zootopia. We are in the beautiful Zootopia Performing Arts Center to hear the top three candidates discuss and debate the issues facing Zootopia. I'm Robert Cape, and I will be your moderator tonight."
Todd could feel his heart pounding.
"So, without further ado, let's introduce our candidates. Our third place candidate has advocated for animal and predator rights in court and on the campaign trail."
Todd took as deep a breath as he could manage.
"Please welcome to the stage, Todd Renard."