Page 35 of The Reverse Cinderella
“I understand,” Piaget was doing her best to be conciliatory. She needed to stay a student in good standing. Even if it hurt to say it. “I was angry about his policies and I chose to express that anger in a less than constructive way. I apologize and will make certain that I don’t do it again.”
“Mayor Johns office is responsible for a good portion of the radio broadcasting funding. We rely on that funding to supplement our budget so that we can continue to afford licensing for our on-air programs. In return we allow Mayor Johns to discuss his campaign so that students can be informed on their vote,” the Dean said as he took out a handkerchief and mopped his brow. “I’ve become informed that you announced that you are going to run against the Mayor in the election. While I cannot control your activities off this campus and I understand the temptation to have something like this to enhance a resume, I strongly advise against running for Mayor. It would do you and the college no service when you lose.”
“Excuse me?” Piaget began to feel offended. Really, who said she was going to lose? Not that she had even signed up yet, or really had intended to, even after her passionate outburst over the radio. “Who says I’m going to lose?”
“Mrs. Williems,” the Deans tone was patronizing at best. “Really? What is your platform? Where are you going to get funding from? Running for Mayor is a full-time job, when would you complete your studies? I understand you are also in our work program. You cannot afford to miss time.”
Missing time in the work program meant Piaget might lose her position to another student. It meant paying full tuition instead of having hours of work time taken away from the total amount. She couldn’t afford to miss anything that helped to pay the bills.
Piaget gritted her teeth. “I understand that I need to make college my priority, but I cannot agree with Mayor Johns policy against the homeless persons in this city.”
“You don’t have to agree Mrs. Williems. You just need to be silent about it,” there was a distinct threat in the Deans voice as he leaned over the desk, his balding head shining in the light. “I understand you are up for an important internship. I’d hate for anything to jeopardize that.”
Piaget hated her husband’s last name. She wanted nothing to remind her of her dead husband. But she didn’t have the money needed to change it all back to her maiden name. She promised herself as soon as she got a job Piaget was going to change it and never listen to some balding, comb-over, know it all threaten her again with Gary’s last name. “Are you threatening me?”
“Of course not. I’m just saying it would be a shame. Drop out of the election Mrs. Williems,” the Dean said. He straightened his tie then nodded to Mrs. Brown before exiting the room.
“Is the door closed?” Mrs. Brown peered around her.
Piaget checked, slightly confused. “Yes.”
“Good.” Mrs. Brown got up and pulled up a chair next to Piaget’s. She leaned forward excitedly. “You need to run for Mayor.”
“But the Dean just said not to,” Piaget was confused.
“He’s part of the old boys’ club. Him and Johns go way back. No, you need to run, and you need to win,” she said as her eyes sparkled behind her coke bottle glasses. “This thing has gone viral. The students are eating it up. Do you know on average how many listeners we have on a Thursday morning? A thousand. A thousand! We have a student body of twelve thousand and less than ten percent listen to us at any given moment. I’ve had so many kids dropping in and asking about you. They put the audio on YouTube. It has fifteen thousand hits as of this morning! Your campaign is practically writing itself. People are ready for someone to give it to Mayor Johns.”
“Fifteen thousand?” Piaget was incredulous. “No. Not possible.”
She nodded happily, practically dancing in her chair. “I’m giving you more air time. And a call-in segment! The kids are excited. Someone from their college, running for office, fighting for the little guy. Everyone likes the issue and thinks you’re on the right side of it. It’s free advertising! I’m going to use you for social media class! We can help you do an entire campaign, film segments, post, create videos, the whole bit!”
“Won’t you get in trouble for that?” Piaget asked, concerned for her.
Mrs. Brown pushed her glasses up her nose and waved a hand dismissively in the air. “The Dean doesn’t even know what social media is. He’s a social dinosaur. We’ll sweep right under his nose.”
“What about the internship?” Piaget was worried this would affect her chances of getting one. The Dean had said as much just moments ago.
“That crappy thing where you run coffee for the local news crew? You don’t want that! Besides, we do this right and you get voted in to mayor. Think about it Piaget. That’s a public office with a budget and a salary. A paid position. You won’t be slaving in a free position where you’ll learn nothing because all you do is fetch coffee, but you hope you get a good review so that it looks good on your resume. Being mayor could help our city, help those homeless people you’re so passionate about and also help yourself with your tuition.”
“What if I lose?” Piaget whispered. To miss out on a coveted internship, even if it was indentured servitude groveling to people who really weren’t stars but managed to stay on the airwaves, was stupid. But to get a job as mayor? She didn’t know half of what a mayor did.
“It will still look brilliant on your resume,” Mrs. Brown exclaimed. “You can showcase the entire campaign as your portfolio.”
“You really want me to do this?” Piaget was amazed. She had no idea the argument she had with Mayor Johns would create such a stir.
“The whole class wants you to do this. This could be a rallying point for our school. We have political sciences classes, economics classes, social media and broadcasting. Who knows what other departments we can get involved with your electoral debut? This would be really good for the school.”
“The Dean doesn’t seem to think so.”
“Who cares what the Dean thinks,” Mrs. Brown waved a hand, dismissing him. “The important thing is what you think. Yesterday you were impassioned about the plight of the homeless. Are you going to leave them in this situation that the Mayor is making or are you going to keep to your word and run for office?”
Piaget felt pressure from so many sides. She hadn’t meant for this to happen. Her big mouth had run away with her again and indignation had fed the fire. It was true though, she did care about the homeless. Or perhaps more accurately, she cared for one of them very much and Piaget really didn’t want Mayor Johns to force him to move. It wasn’t like she could have a relationship with someone who was homeless but maybe they would be good friends. Who was she kidding? Piaget didn’t want to just be friends, she wanted something far more. She wanted Max back, she just wasn’t ready to admit it yet.
Piaget took a deep breath and committed, “Okay. I’ll run.”
Mrs. Brown actually clapped her hands for joy. “Great! Let’s go to the lab, download any relevant information and get your nomination confirmed!”
“Now?”