Mayor Kinney
* 49 *
"Cynthia, would you come in here, please?" Brian said into the phone.
Cynthia frowned as she stood up. Brian had said please and he never said that unless something bad followed it. Reluctantly she made her way to his office.
"You wanted to see me?" she asked as she stepped into Brian's office and closed the door behind her.
"Have a seat."
Now she knew something bad was coming. Brian was far too polite. He never asked her to sit, just told her what he wanted done. That saved a lot of time for both of them. "You're scaring me, Brian. What's going on?"
Brian sighed. She knew him so well. He didn't think this would be so hard. "I have made a decision about my future and that impacts your future."
"You're not running again," she said.
Brian smiled slightly. She really did have his number. "No, I'm not."
"And that means ?"
"I'm going to try to get back into advertising. I'm thinking of starting my own firm."
"That's great news," she said with a smile, but when Brian didn't smile back she felt her stomach churn and the smile quickly faded. "Isn't it good news?" she asked.
"You might not think so when you hear what I have to say."
"Tell me."
"If I can swing the financing for the new firm, and that's still an 'if', I will only have one account that I can actually claim."
"Oh," Cynthia said beginning to understand the implications of what Brian was telling her.
"So money is going to be tight for a while."
"Tight as in my salary?" she asked.
He looked up at her. He was surprised that she would still indicate her intention of coming to work for him knowing that she would be hit with a drop in pay. "Exactly," he said. "I don't think I can come anywhere close to paying you what you're getting now. It will all depend on how quickly I can start rounding up accounts."
"Have you thought about who you're going to go after?" she asked sitting forward in her seat. "Leo Brown would be a good place to start." There was no point in wasting time. She would be happy to go back into advertising, and the sooner they got started on a plan to do that, the better.
Brian snorted and then chuckled. "Didn't you hear what I just said? You're going to have to take a huge pay cut if you want to come with me."
"I heard you. What the fuck do you think I came here to the mayor's office for? That was our agreement. I come here for two years and then I help you start the new company."
"You still want to do that?"
"Shit, yes. I don't want to have to break in a new boss. I've finally got this one trained the way I want him." And then she had the audacity to give him a mischievous grin.
Brian stared at her and had to grin. "You're serious, aren't you?"
"One hundred percent."
"How did I get so lucky or unlucky to hire you in the first place?"
"I could tell you knew a good thing when you saw it, right from the first time I met you."
"Not many people would have put up with my shit for all this time and then agree to take a pay cut on top of it."
"I'll take the cut now, but I expect to be duly compensated later on. And I want to be given a bigger role in the business, maybe even start developing some clients of my own."
"You drive a hard bargain."
It was Cynthia's turn to snort. "Hard bargain, my ass. You're lucky I don't walk out on you. Just remember that."
"I will," Brian said with a smile as he stood and extended his hand across the desk. She took his hand to shake, and he raised it to kiss the back of her hand softly. She felt herself blush. "Thank you," Brian said quietly.
"I need to get back to work," she said hastily and pulled her hand away. She could feel the tears threatening to start and she wanted to get out of there before they did. Neither of them would be able to deal with that. She walked quickly to the door.
"Bring me a coffee in ten minutes," Brian stated.
She didn't look back at him, but she knew they understood each other. "Yes, boss," she replied as she closed the door behind her. By then they would both have their emotions under control.
-----
"So Cynthia's coming in with you?" Justin asked as he munched on the pizza they had ordered for dinner.
"Pay cut and all," Brian stated.
"She's a glutton for punishment."
"Like you?"
"No, not like me at all. Ewww! I don't even want to go there. I get some very interesting rewards for putting up with you," Justin said with a wink. "What does she get?"
"Up until we leave the mayor's office, a very good paycheck."
"And she's still willing to put up with all your shit for a reduced salary?" Justin asked.
"She's expecting big payback later on."
"And you'll see that she gets it?"
"Of course."
Justin leaned in and kissed Brian's cheek. "I think you will be a big success and so will Cynthia."
"Thanks, but shouldn't you be included in that equation?"
"As ?"
"As my head of the art department. We discussed this before."
"I was letting you off the hook if you changed your mind."
"Why would I change my mind?"
"Oh, let's see," Justin said with a frown. "Because I'm 21 and I'm not quite finished art school and I have almost no experience in advertising. That sounds like a prime resume for the person who should lead an art department."
"In case you may have misunderstood, not only are you going to be the head of my art department, for the first while you are the art department."
Justin choked on his beer. "You're really serious, aren't you?"
"Yes, I told you that before. By the time I can afford to pay you like the head of the department we may actually have other people in the department, and you will have had plenty of time to gain that experience."
"Thanks, I think," Justin said with a chuckle. "You've got this all figured out, haven't you?"
"I've rarely been accused of being spontaneous."
"Just anal."
"Hmm, look who's talking about anal. Are we through talking?" Brian asked leaning closer to Justin.
"I think so," Justin said before his lips were captured in a long, sensual kiss.
-----
"I understand that you have decided not to run again," Geoffrey said after he and Brian had finished up their agenda for the day.
"Has the rumor mill been churning?" Brian asked with a smirk.
"Most definitely."
"I bet they're all glad to see the back of me, although my ass has always been considered one of my best features."
"Mr. Mayor!" Geoffrey reacted.
"What?" Brian asked playing dumb.
"That's not a very seemly comment for someone in your position."
"And what position would that be?" Brian asked with a leer. He knew even prim and proper Geoffrey would get the sexual innuendo. Geoffrey had changed a lot since Brian had become mayor and Geoffrey had been forced to work with him. Loosened up might be a better way to explain it, although he would still need to go a great deal farther before anyone would accuse him of not having a pickle up his ass.
Geoffrey blushed. "I don't think you should be behaving like this. You're not out of office yet."
"Just practicing for when I am," Brian teased. "I'll stop yanking your chain, now, Geoffrey."
"That will be much appreciated, although I wasn't actually aware that I had a chain," Geoffrey said with a sigh. "I I will miss you when you're gone," he said softly.
"Why, Geoffrey, you sentimental old dog." Brian watched Geoffrey blush even more. He decided he better say this now or he never would. "I have enjoyed working with you too, Geoffrey. You're a man of principle, even if I don't always agree with those principles. I respect that you have them, and live by them."
"Thank you, Mr. Mayor, and I can most definitely say the same thing about you."
"We sound like a couple of old queens," Brian said with a grimace. This was getting decidedly too emotional. "Don't you have work to do?"
"Yes, I do," Geoffrey said with a chuckle. He was just about as happy as Brian to have that tender moment over with. He had wanted to express his respect and affection for Brian but that didn't mean it was easy to do.
"Before you go," Brian said as Geoffrey had started towards the door. "Your job is secure after I'm gone, right?"
"Yes," Geoffrey smiled. "I was here before you came and I'll still be here for years to come. That's the nature of being a bureaucrat."
"That's good," Brian said. Geoffrey gave him a fleeting smile and hastily left the office.
There weren't a lot of people that Brian would be sorry to be leaving behind at City Hall, but he had made a few friendships and he would miss the daily, even occasional, contact with those people. He sighed. Moving on in life was always hard.
-----
The next couple of months went by quickly. Charles managed to find a candidate to run for mayor. He was Jamal Jefferson, a young, black businessman who had run in the previous election. Brian remembered him as the candidate who wanted to have a freer, laissez-faire business atmosphere in Pittsburgh. It had been his one topic and he had tried to hammer it home. However, not everyone was interested in business in the same way that Jamal was. The man had a wicked sense of humor and Brian had enjoyed his answers to questions. He just had too narrow a focus to get himself elected. Since then he had had two years to improve his general knowledge and develop policies about other topics and concerns. Brian thought he would probably make a very good mayor.
As the campaigning got into full swing Brian was asked again and again who he supported for mayor, which candidate he thought would carry on his ideas, which person seemed most trustworthy. Brian studiously avoided answering any of those questions. He didn't want to throw his weight behind any one of them. He wanted the electorate to decide for itself, just as they had done with him.
Brian found it increasingly difficult to get anything accomplished. People he had to deal with were reluctant to make bargains or sign contracts when after the election they would be dealing with someone new, possibly with someone who had very different ideas about what should happen. For the first time Brian really began to understand the term "lame duck". That was definitely what he was.
He did his best to try to bring to fruition the projects that he had started. Some of them were just too lengthy and would have to continue long after he was gone; that is, if the new administration allowed them to continue. The whole process became very frustrating.
Brian stared out the window of his office. He should be reading another fucking report, but he couldn't see any use in bothering to do that. He wished this whole thing were over. The election was coming up fast, but not nearly fast enough to suit him. Now that he was definitely leaving, he wished he could walk out the door and never look back. Instead of that he had to wait for the new mayor to be elected and then sworn in. It was a colossal pain in his ass.
"Brian," Cynthia said, sticking her head in the door and pulling him out of his thoughts.
"Yeah."
"I have a couple of requests that you need to look at."
"Requests? For what?"
"For the honor of your presence," she said cryptically.
"What the fuck are you talking about?"
"One of them is for you to be the guest of honor at a dinner for the new mayor. They want to say thank you to you as the new administration takes over."
"No."
"Pardon?" Cynthia asked frowning.
"I said no. When I walk out of here in a few weeks, I don't want any reminders holding me back. Let them salute the new mayor, and may God help him to do a good job."
"I've never heard you invoke the name of God before."
Brian snorted. "I don't fucking believe in God, but if anything could make you ask for divine intervention it would be this fucking job. I hope the poor bastard has some idea of what he's getting into."
"Okay, I'll tell them if you're sure."
"I'm very sure. What other request do you have?"
"A request from the local service groups to have you attend a luncheon where they want to thank you for your role in the community."
"Fuck, no! I suppose this is some kind of bullshit they do for all outgoing mayors, and I want no part of it. Can't I just disappear?"
"I'm not so sure that you can." Brian raised an eyebrow at that statement. "That's two written invitations you've received," Cynthia said, "but there have been quite a few more phone calls."
"And what did you tell them?" Brian asked.
"That I would talk to you."
"And you're just doing this now?"
"I was afraid you might react this way. I have been trying to think of a good way to present the requests to you."
"No presentation is going to make them any better. I'm not interested."
"But Brian, they just want to thank you."
"Yeah, now. Where were they back when I became mayor and had to walk through the protesters everyday, and try to survive the bad publicity? I don't fucking think so."
Cynthia sighed. "If that's what you want "
"That's what I want," Brian said abruptly making the tone of his voice spell out that he would accept nothing less.
"I'll let them know," Cynthia said closing the door behind her. She wanted to see Brian get the recognition for what he had done. He had been a
good mayor, he had worked hard and he deserved to know that his efforts were appreciated. But that didn't seem to be what was going to happen. She went to her desk to start making the phone calls.
-----
Frank Jankowski arrived a few minutes early for his appointment with Brian. He went over to Cynthia's desk and greeted her. She smiled at the older man and asked how his wife Maria was doing. Frank had been one of Brian's staunchest supporters right from the outset. Well, at least he had been willing to give Brian the benefit of the doubt way back then, which eventually led him to become Brian's biggest ally.
Cynthia buzzed Brian and told Frank he could go in.
"Hey, Frank, how are you?" Brian asked as the older man made himself comfortable in the chair across the desk.
"I'm very good, but also a little sad that I won't be working with you much longer."
Brian smiled in spite of himself. "I feel the same way."
Frank grinned back. "I hope we can stay in touch and maybe have dinner occasionally. Maria will skin me alive if I don't keep in touch with you and Justin."
"Thanks, Frank. I'd like that, and I'm sure Justin would too," Brian said fondly. "So, what brings you here today, or was that it?"
"No, Mr. Mayor, there is something else."
"Yes?" Brian said raising an eyebrow.
"You know that property that we bought for the homeless rehab center?"
"Yes." Brian wondered what was going on. That project was well under way. He wished he could still be mayor when it came to completion in a few months.
"I was hoping we could finish it before you left office, but that's not going to happen."
"I know," Brian said sadly. "What's the problem? The funding is all in place. It should be finished on time."
"I would like to meet with Jamal Jefferson. It looks like he's the frontrunner in the mayoral race. I want to get some assurances from him about this project, and I think you should be there."
"Don't you think he's going to carry through on it?" Brian asked.
"Truthfully I don't know, but I'd feel much better if we could get his commitment."
"Want me to set something up?"
"That would be great, and be part of the meeting."
"If Jamal can spare us half an hour," Brian added. "The campaign's in the last days."
"Thanks, Brian, and I wanted to mention um I've been . Um ."
"Frank, it's not like you to beat around the bush. What the fuck are you trying to say?"
"The city council wants to give you a gift as you leave office. I've been asked to find out what you might like," Frank blurted out.
Brian laughed. "And I bet I wasn't supposed to know."
"No," Frank admitted sheepishly.
"Well, tell them to spend the money on something for the city. I don't want gifts, and I don't want presentations, and I sure as fuck don't want another rubber chicken dinner."
Frank blanched. "I'll tell them," he said, "but they're not going to like it."
He made his way out of the office. He had accomplished one of the things he wanted by getting Brian to agree to meet with the man who would likely be the next mayor of Pittsburgh, but he had failed miserably at the other objective. Maybe Cynthia could help him.
Frank went over to Cynthia once again and explained that the council wanted to honor Brian. He saw her grimace as he said that. "What's the matter?" Frank asked her.
"You're about the sixth person or group who want to show their appreciation to Brian. He has refused them all."
"He has? I had no idea."
"Brian Brian's not somebody who likes public displays of affection."
"Why not?"
"He's not big on emotion in the first place. It embarrasses him, and he doesn't trust it."
"That's kind of sad."
"I know, but that's the way he is."
"You don't think he'll let anybody thank him publicly?"
She shook her head. "I don't think so."
"I don't like that at all. He deserves some recognition for everything he's done."
"I agree, but he won't go for it."
"Well, think about it, Cynthia. If you can come up with a way to let Brian know that the city appreciates his hard work, I'd really appreciate it."
"I can think, but even if I came up with something, there's no guarantee our esteemed leader would go along with it."
"That's too bad," Frank said shaking his head and then making his way out of the office.
"Yeah," Cynthia said softly as she watched Frank walk away. She wondered what could be done, but nothing came to mind. She knew Brian's
attitude about such things, and she didn't know of any way to change it. Then it hit her.
-----
Justin was getting his stuff together to go to PIFA when the phone rang. Brian had left hours before. Justin let the phone continue to ring figuring it was probably for Brian and the answering machine would pick up. He was just about to put his coat on when he heard Cynthia's voice.
"Justin, if you're there please pick up."
"Cynthia," Justin said into the receiver as he grabbed it off the base. "What's wrong? Is Brian all right?"
"Don't panic; everything's fine."
"Jesus, you scared me. You never call here like that. What's going on?"
"I need to talk to you about something," Cynthia said mysteriously.