Author's note: I hope my writing is well enough to make this next chapter (and the chapters after it) as realistic and detailed enough for you to see in your heads. I hope I also don't add TOO much detail.

Political Statements

LarryManor

7:35 AM

The sun was rising over the horizon, bathing the metropolis Bumblyburg in its morning light and shine. Over on the far east side of town and sitting on a private hillside was the mansion owned by Larry The Cucumber. The mansion had a number of satellite dishes attached to the fancy roof.
Some citizens would suspect something, but Larry had before stated that 'he watches a lot of TV'.

The morning sun had started to pour its light into the mansion, naturally lighting up the place. Inside the mansion was a sleeping cucumber in the master bedroom, and a breakfast-making asparagus in a tuxedo and wearing a monocle in the dining room.

'I sometimes question Larry's decision to by the most expensive property in Bumblyburg.' Alfred thought to himself as he carefully places the platter of bacon, pancakes, eggs, and toast alongside a glass of milk.

Looking around, something was missing from the table.

More like someone.

"Master Larry?" Alfred voice echoed in the dining room. With a sigh, Alfred exited the dining room, walked through the highly decorated hallway, and up the winding stairs.

"Master Larry?" Alfred called out again as he went up the winding staircase.
Once up the steps and closer to Larry's master bedroom, Alfred could hear the loud snores omitting from inside. The British asparagus reached the door to the master bedroom and opened the door. There, he saw the faint rays of the sun trying to seep through the heavy curtains of the darkened room, and Larry still sleeping on his king sized bed.

"Master Larry!" Alfred declared broadly as he entered, "It's time to get up!"

Larry snored in response. Rolling his eyes, Alfred went over to the curtains and pulled them apart, letting in the beautiful, brilliant sunlight; illuminating the darkened room and shining light onto Larry's face.

"Wake me up when the pancakes are ready…" Larry mumbled with a yawn as he rolled over onto his side to face away from the light.

"They are ready!" Alfred pointed out. Seeing no success in his efforts, Alfred looked down at the button sticking out from the side of the bed frame.

"You've left me no choice, Master Larry." Alfred sighed he pressed the button.

There was mechanical whine followed by a cranking noise and a clunk. Suddenly the mattress rose and tilted to the side.

"Aaaah!" Larry cried as he was rolled off his bed. After he landed on the floor with a thud, the mattress lowered itself back down into the bed frame like nothing ever happened. Larry stood up dizzily, but shook his head and regained his senses. Larry then stared at Alfred on the other side of the bed.

"How'd you do that?" Larry asked in still sleepy manner.

"I had Thingamabob install it awhile back." Alfred explained as Larry went over to his closet, still trying to wake up.
Larry opened the closet and pulled out a grey business suit on a hangar.

"Breakfast is ready in the dining room." Alfred told Larry as he left the room for Larry to get dressed.

(…,,,…,,,)

En route to Central Park

8:00 AM

"So tell me, Alfred," Larry spoke up, "who is this other sponsor?" Larry was sitting in the backseat of his personal black limo and wearing his fancy grey business suit while Alfred was in the front, driving the limo through the streets.

"His name is Mr. Taco Fish," Alfred enlightened as he carefully drove around a corner, "he's the founder and CEO of his company: Land-Air Security Incorporated." Larry gave his butler a quizzical expression.

"Mr. Taco…Fish?" Larry repeated skeptically.

"I know it sounds fishy, Master Larry, but that's what he is."

"Fishy?"

"Yes, fishy."

"So I should watch out for him?"

"Not that kind of fishy."

"Whadya mean then?"

Alfred sighed; it was like he was talking to a child sometimes.

"What I mean is that he's an actual fish," Alfred continued flatly as he drove the limo, "just like how you are an actual cucumber, and I am an actual asparagus."

"Oh…I get it." Larry replied as he went back to reading the newspaper comic section. It wasn't long before another question nagged at him.

"Alfred?"

"Yes Master Larry?"

"If he's a fish, how is he on land?"

"He wears a special glass bowl filled with water on his head."

"How do you know?"

"I met him once at one of your house parties."

"Why don't I remember him?"

"You were out with Captain Bumble and S-Cape that night fighting L-Ray."

Larry remembered the fight and winced at the memory of him being scorched by the jalapeno's laser gun. He was out for two weeks after that with burns. Larry's thoughts were interrupted with a rather loud yawn that he himself made. Larry's tiredness caught the attention of Alfred.

"I told you that you should've taken last night off." Alfred said sternly. Larry shook himself awake before replying.

"My duty as a superhero comes first, Alfred." Larry stated boldly. Larry looked towards the front and found Alfred's eyes staring at his through the rear view mirror.

"Just try to stay awake during the debate." Alfred requested.

LATER…

Outside City Hall

Mayor Election Debate

10:15 AM

"…and that reason alone is why we need to offer protection to the citizens of Bumblyburg." stated Councilman Peach

"Mr. Peach, what you are saying, sir, iz zhat we give everyone in Bumblyburg a weapon!" Mayor Blueberry retaliated as mannerly as possible. Behind the two arguing candidates were the members of the City Council, each sitting on the stand of whichever side they were for. The sponsors for the candidates were seated right behind the podiums. In front of the platform that held them all were seated hundreds of Bumblyburg's citizens. What stood between the seated citizens and the platform was a wall of guarding police officers, one of them being Commissioner Scooter. Sitting in one of the front row seats was Alfred.

Larry The Cucumber was slouched and fast asleep, while the other sponsor, Mr. Taco Fish, was wide awake and listening attentively.

Fortunately, Larry started to wake up and process what was going on.

"…what if the 'threat' is too big for superheroes and police to handle?" Larry vaguely heard Councilman Peach questioned. Although he faintly heard what Mayor Blueberry said in response to the Peach's question, Larry couldn't quite make out her words.

'Pull…yourself…together…Larry.' Larry grumbled in his head. Gradually, Larry started to snap back into reality and open his eyes. Immediately his eyes leisurely darted around to assess what was going on. Larry spotted the huge crowd of Bumblyburg's citizens sitting in seats in front of the platform and Councilman Peach and Mayor Blueberry facing each other at their podiums.

'Oh yeah...I'm at the political debate!' Larry happily remembered mentally. Then the cold realization hit him soon after. 'I'm at the political debate...and I fell asleep.'

Trying not to panic, Larry looked to Alfred sitting in the front row. Alfred gave him a stern look as he motioned to the podiums with his monocle.
Sheepishly, Larry straightened himself up in his seat and turned his attention to the two debating politicians.

"Thank you, Mayor Blueberry and Councilman Peach, for your thoughtful answers and generous time here today…" the moderator of the debate announced on the microphone. Larry felt slightly disappointed that he slept through the debate and missed nearly everything that the candidates discussed.

"Do the sponsors wish to add anything before this debate comes to an official end?" the moderator asked as Mayor Blueberry and Councilman Peach took their seats. Larry quickly got up from his chair, gave Mayor Blueberry a nod, and quickly made his way up to the podium. When he reached the podium, he noticed that he wasn't alone.

Right across from him was a huge greenish grey scaled fish roughly taller than Larry. The fish was using his two long caudal fins as legs, and his long, slender, pectoral fins as arms. His body wore a taco-looking vest, which his limbs poked out of, and he had a unique glass bowl filled with water over his head.
Standing at the other podium was the other sponsor: Mr. Taco Fish.

"Seems we both are in a hurry to say something, eh Mr. Cucumber?" Mr. Taco Fish joked with a polite, charismatic voice. For being submerged in water, his voice came out as clear as a whistle. A few people in the audience found his remark amusing; Larry gave a light grin. At least his opposing sponsor had no hard feelings towards him.

"Would you like to give your input first, Mr. Cucumber?" Mr. Taco Fish asked, extending a pectoral fin out to Larry.

"By all means, after you Mr. Taco Fish." Larry answered.

"Well if you insist." Mr. Taco Fish replied, grabbing the microphone piece and adjusting it. Inhaling a breath of water, Mr. Taco Fish began.

"Hello Bumblyburg," Mr. Taco Fish began, and then smiled, "my name is Taco Fish. One reason being is that I am a fish wearing a vest that looks like a taco."

Larry held back his laughter, and so did the audience.

"I am the C.E.O of my company: Land-Air Security Industries. For those who don't know, we produce reasonable non-lethal means of self defense for citizens such as yourselves. These self defense products, or weapons if you will, have kept many users safe and many more prisons secure, including Bumblyburg's own jail. Some of you might disagree about the production of weapons, even if they are non-lethal, but I can guarantee that there is a logical reason behind this suggestion: one's own safety.

"Sure we have superheroes to protect us, but must we call upon them for every danger against a criminal? They work all night protecting us from crime; don't you think it would be kind of us to give them a break by handling the problem on our own? As Councilman Peach's sponsor, I too believe in his goals, as well as his ideas of safekeeping. Thank you."

The audience clapped as Mr. Taco Fish adjusted the glass bowl on his head.

"Silly thing keeps on moving," Mr. Taco Fish commented as he regained his posture, "you have the floor, Mr. Cucumber."

Mr. Taco Fish said at gave a short nod at Larry before he step down from the podium.

"Thank you, Mr. Taco Fish." Larry said over the microphone piece, his voice being projected everywhere. Looking to the crowd, Larry gave his speech.

"Good morning everyone," Larry started out, "I am Larry The Cucumber, CEO and owner of Bumblyburg Eco. Our goal at Bumblyburg Eco. is to discover new conservative energies that would benefit both us and Mother Nature. So far our efforts have wheeled in a few successful inventions and discoveries, but they have still made the bigger difference. Our trees are more green and the air is much cleaner than ever before.

"I believe that if we want to have a Bumblyburg for the kids, we have to preserve and take care of it. Mayor Blueberry also shares this goal, and has done a fantastic job of taking care of Bumblyburg along with our superheroes. That is why I have chosen to sponsor her and her campaign for reelection. Thank you for your time."

The audience also applauded Larry's speech. Larry glanced back at Mr. Taco Fish, who also smiled back.
As he made his way back to his seat, Larry was glad that he and Mr. Taco Fish had remained respectful of each other.

"Thank you sponsors for keeping that a friendly discussion," moderator said over the speakers, earning the audience's laughter, "and with that being said, this debate has come to an end."

LATER…

Most of the citizens of Bumblyburg left the premises to return to their daily jobs, while reporters, media, and others stayed. Both the Mayor Blueberry and Councilman Peach were swamped with reporters and cameras, as well as the other members of government. Fortunately, Larry managed to slip away unnoticed and regroup with Alfred.

"How'd I do up there?" Larry asked his butler.

"I'm surprised that you managed to remember your speech after your little nap." Alfred commented.

"I had that memorized for awhile now." Larry added as they tried to avoid the crowds.

"Hey look! It's Mr. Cucumber!" a reporter called out. Larry and Alfred turned to see a mob of reporters, journalists, photographers, and cameramen rush towards them.

"Oh dear…" Alfred uttered right before the two were surrounded by reporters on all sides and bombarded with questions.

"I'll get the limo!" Larry heard Alfred say over the crowd. Larry turned to say something to Alfred, but he was already gone. He was thankful that the crowd gave him a little circle of space, but they were still pressing from all sides. The reporters and journalists were asking questions all at once, and camera lights were flashing on all sides from the photographers.

"Mr. Cucumber, what's your opinion on today's debate?...Were you actually asleep during the debate?...Are you and Mr. Taco Fish business rivals?...What is the key to success?...What do you think of Councilman Peach?...Is it true you are still a bachelor?...What do you do with all your money?...What's your opinion over Mayor Blueberry?"

Before Larry could say anything, another voice spoke above them all.

"Aye, excuse me madam…watch ya self, laddy…make way!" he heard Commissioner Scooter proclaim loudly.

Larry saw the crowd give way to Commissioner Scooter and a familiar figure in a taco-looking vest.

"Ah, there you are Mr. Cucumber." Mr. Taco Fish welcomed.

"Mr. Taco Fish," Larry replied as he went over to stand beside him, "what brings you here?"

"Business." Mr. Taco Fish simply replied and motioned for Larry to follow. The crowd of journalists and reporters tried to follow, but Commissioner Scooter and a group of police officers held them back.

"Back off, ya eavesdroppin' nosies!" Commissioner Scooter barked as he and other police officers held back the reporters, journalists, and media. Photographers were still trying to take pictures past them with their flashing cameras. Luckily for Commissioner Scooter, he had become immune to bright flashes of lights.

(…,,,…,,,)

"So what kind of business?" Larry asked, relieved that he wasn't being bombarded by media.

"The kind that would make a difference," Mr. Taco Fish replied as they continued to head down the street, passing under the row of newly grown trees, "both our companies are successful enterprises, correct?"

"Uh-huh." Larry replied, trying to piece together what was being told to him. Larry spotted Alfred driving around the corner of the block, heading towards them.

"I was thinking…what if two successful corporations amalgamated in order to maximize output of beneficial factors for everyone to indulge in."

"Come again?" Larry requested, completely lost at Mr. Taco Fish's fancy words.

"If we were to combine two successful companies, with each of us being in charge of our own factors, yet still helping one another," Mr. Taco Fish rephrased as they came to a halt, "it would put forth major benefits for everyone, especially Bumblyburg."

Larry considered the suggestion of merging the companies. Meanwhile, the black limousine came to a smooth stop next to the sidewalk where Larry and Mr. Taco Fish stood.

"You don't have to answer now," Mr. Taco Fish explained, "I just would like to know your thoughts on the idea."

"Oh," Larry said, not realizing that Alfred had parked the limo right beside them, "I'll have to get back to you on that."

"I was thinking that we could discuss this over a dinner meeting tonight?" Mr. Taco Fish suggested, "my board members and I could meet and discuss it with you and your board members over dinner."

Alfred honked the horn on the limo.

Larry jumped at the noise and then realized that his butler was here with the limo and waiting.

"I' m sorry, Mr. Taco Fish," Larry apologized as he opened the limo door, "I'm busy tonight."

"I see…" Mr. Taco Fish commented, holding the door open as Larry climbed into the limo, "perhaps another time?"

"Maybe." Larry replied as he sat down, trying not to seem rude. Mr. Taco Fish gave a short nod.

"Until next time, Mr. Cucumber." Mr. Taco Fish said as he closed the limo door.

With the door shut, Alfred shifted gears and started to drive the limo away. Larry glanced out the tinted window at City Hall and the crowd still assembled on the campus.

"If I may ask, Master Larry, what was that all about?" Alfred questioned as he drove.

"Mr. Taco Fish wanted to merge companies." Larry replied.

"And what did you say?"

"I told I have to think about it."

Alfred started driving back towards the mansion, and Larry checked the time and noticed it was nearly 12:30. A rumble in his stomach caught his attention.

"Alfred, could we get something to eat at Burger Bell?" Larry asked.

"Of course, Master Larry." Alfred replied as he turned at the next light.

'Only seven hours until tonight.' Larry happily thought to himself, remembering the date that he and former reporter/current fashioner planned.

TO BE CONTIUNED…

Author's note: I hope I gave enough explanation in this chapter over the characters. Action will soon come, I promise.