This choice: “Sure, why not? And could I bring my friends as well?“ • Go Back...Chapter #5Comittee Creation Over Crullers - Part I by: Dr. Faustus   “Sure, why not?“ Dakota replied right away. She wasn't sure she actually wanted to be a part of that, but she couldn't think of a suitable excuse. Plus it seemed an easy way to find out more about the Mayor and her new home in general. And it's not as if she had anything to do over the holidays anyway. Who knows, it might even be interesting. “And could I bring my friends as well?“
“Well,“ Mayor Donahue hesitated, “we would not want the committee to be dominated by a single demographics...“ she looked around, “on the other hand, there doesn't seem to be much interest, so... Go ask them. If the seats are not filled by the time they arrive, they're welcome to join, too.“
***
“Piper? Zack? Guys?“ Dakota was weaving through the thick crowds. Everyone gathered around the tables with free food and Dakota’s smaller stature didn’t let her see very far ahead. At long last she spotted a familiar figure, eating yet another burger. “Piper? Have you seen Zack?“
Piper swallowed a big bite. “Oh, he’s around here somewhere,“ and waved her free hand uncertainly. “Say, you MUST try this Yeng cheeseburger. It’s heavenly.“ She turned around, reached for another one on the table and thrust it into Dakota’s hand.
“Well, thanks. Uh, listen, would you be interested in joining a, uh, committee to oversee this- this Yeng?“ It sounded lame even to Dakota. In embarrassment she took a bite of her burger. It was really good!
“Why would I do that?“ Piper shuddered theatrically. “That sounds suspiciously like work. And a boring one at that.“
“What? A committee to investigate Yeng?“ Though not in sight, Zack was apparently in hearing distance. “I'm in. They deserve it.“
“How about you, Piper?“ Dakota turned to her new friend again. “There might be free samples.“
“Oh, OK, count me in, too,“ Piper shrugged. “I can always quit later if I don't like it.“
They made it back to the Mayor just in time. Dakota inhaled her burger, wiped her hands and added their names to the short list of candidates.
“Well, my fellow citizens, thank you for your keen interest. Please, let me invite all the committee members inside. There is a buffet and we may conduct the introduction in greater comfort,“ and Dina Donahue pointed to the Town Hall.
***
Dakota looked around the room. It was rather dark, with wooden paneling and portraits of some long-dead dignitaries. The middle was taken up by a long, wide table filled with delicacies, surrounded with robust-looking, well-upholstered chairs.
Two of them on the other side were occupied by a couple of plump housewives, gossiping over a plate of hors d'oeuvres. A grumpy pensioner sat at another chair and in the farthest corner, there stood an enigmatic middle-aged man, the only one to actually put his name forward when the Mayor asked for volunteers. And then there were Dakota and her friends.
“Well, I must say the grub here’s even better than outside,“ Piper announced with bulging cheeks. “D’you see those giant crullers? Come with me, you haven't tried anything yet,“ and pulled Dakota towards the table.
“Let me welcome you at the Rosewater Hall,“ the Mayor raised her voice over the hustle. “First order of business, all committee members need to sign a sworn declaration they’re not in any way associated with Yeng Corporation and/or any of its subsidiaries. I hope this is true,“ the Mayor added with a polite smile, “The forms have just arrived, please pick them up from your secretary.“
The Mayor looked into her notes. “When you have signed, you are required by the law and ordinances of our fair city to elect a chairperson and approve committee statutes. You should also set up a regular schedule of sessions, minimum but not limited to once a week; minutes from your sessions shall be published at the city website.“
She gave everyone a professional smile. “Now, I’m afraid I have another meeting in a few minutes, so I am turning the floor over to Ms. Fukuda. Good luck in your endeavours.“
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