|
Post by Jordanna on Jul 14, 2007 23:53:35 GMT -5
"Indeed." Tiernan smiled slightly. "I could recommend to you some candidates for their replacements."
Before Cole could answer, he spread his hands. "And then? What policy changes do you hope to put into effect in this city? What corrections to the behavior of the police department--which has in its way been as harmful to mutants as any anti-mutant gang?"
|
|
|
Post by skybright on Jul 15, 2007 0:06:38 GMT -5
Cole frowned. "Yes, the police force is definitely going to be a major target for reform. The current commissioner is due for retirement this year anyway -- I'm planning on replacing him with a former associate of mine from Albany." He spread his hands. "The individuals on the force aren't the brunt of the problem -- it's the policies they've been following. Reforming those is going to be a big step in the right direction -- and seeing which officers refuse to follow those reforms is also going to be a useful tool in determining which of them are actually dangerous."
Cole shrugged easily. "There's going to be a lot of policy change going through in the next few months -- not just anti-mutant policies, either, but outdated and inefficient policies of all kinds." He leaned forward a bit. "I'm particularly intent on doing away with X-Gene screenings by few public employers who practice them. It's a waste of taxpayer time and money, in addition to being a blatantly mutaphobic practice."
|
|
|
Post by Jordanna on Jul 15, 2007 22:16:53 GMT -5
"All very excellent foundations," Tiernan mused, nodding. "But I'm afraid I don't entirely agree that existing policies are the problem. There is an undeniable, deep-rooted prejudice against mutants among most of the public. What happened after your election the other night is only one example. Moving beyond the subject of city employees... what do you propose to do about anti-mutant discrimination in employment, in housing--in the public realm in general?"
|
|
|
Post by skybright on Jul 16, 2007 0:27:40 GMT -5
"Ah, yes." Cole frowned. "There's the real battle we're going to be facing. Reforming the laws and passing new ones is the first step -- and it's an important one. Mutation isn't recognized in Federal anti-discrimination laws, but I intend to see to it that it's included in the City statutes that penalize discrimination."
The politician sighed. "Of course, there's no way to legislate people's attitudes. We can change the laws . . . but changing hearts is another matter."
|
|
|
Post by Jordanna on Jul 16, 2007 21:52:08 GMT -5
"You have more optimism in that direction than I do," Tiernan murmured. "I and your other supporters who I represent are more interested in... direct measures. The immediate and harsh punishment of anyone who..." He smiled faintly. "In your sort of language, who infringe upon the rights of mutant citizens."
|
|
|
Post by skybright on Jul 16, 2007 23:44:46 GMT -5
Cole shuddered mentally -- he had an exquisitely clear understanding of what Tiernan had in mind when he said "direct measures".
"Obviously policy changes won't do us any good unless we back them up with actions." He said carefully, "As I said -- the changes to City statutes regarding discrimination are going to be a first step, and it's going to be made abundantly clear to the city prosecutor's office that I want violations of those statutes dealt with seriously. The same goes for assaults on mutants individuals and businesses -- the D.A.'s office is no longer going to be allowed to let those cases fall by the wayside."
|
|
|
Post by Jordanna on Jul 17, 2007 21:17:49 GMT -5
"Quite." Tiernan gazed thoughtfully at Cole over his steepled fingertips.
"I want to be quite honest with you, Mister Cole. I and the other very powerful mutant-rights advocates who I enlisted to support you are not willing to see promises go unfulfilled--as so many others have, who waited for some mythical political action to turn things around. We placed you in office for a reason." He smiled ominously.
"You have a vested interested in our cause, I believe."
|
|
|
Post by skybright on Jul 17, 2007 21:55:26 GMT -5
Cole raised his eyebrows, doing his best to feign ignorance of what Tiernan meant. He clasped his hands together. "I'm not sure what you're referring to, precisely -- but I assure you, Mister Tiernan, that you have no reason to doubt my intentions."
|
|
|
Post by Jordanna on Jul 17, 2007 22:08:37 GMT -5
Tiernan smiled icily.
"There's no need to be coy, Mister Cole. After all, as I have stated many times in explanation of my own interest in mutant welfare... I know what it's like to have a mutant in the family."
|
|
|
Post by skybright on Jul 17, 2007 22:16:41 GMT -5
Cole was silent for a moment, shooting a brief and unreadable glance at Daws before looking back at Tiernan with a grave expression. "Then I presume you also know what it's like to be concerned for the safety of one's loved ones."
|
|
|
Post by Jordanna on Jul 17, 2007 22:29:07 GMT -5
"Which is precisely why I'm prepared to give you the benefit of the doubt," Tiernan replied. "You have a powerful reason to feel strongly about putting through the reforms you've spoken of.
"However--you're about to discover the reality of politics, Mister Cole. I've been playing the game, in my own discreet way, for much longer than you have. I don't think you've begun to realize the actual pressures you'll face."
He smiled again. "The job my associates and I have entrusted to you is to push back against that pressure, and not only resist it but defeat it. No small task, I grant you. But with us providing a solid wall behind you, there is no going back. You can forge ahead, and use our strength, or..." He made a slight throwing-away gesture. "Or, I'm very much afraid, be crushed when those forces collide."
|
|
|
Post by skybright on Jul 17, 2007 22:44:11 GMT -5
Cole chuckled dryly. "Quite a persuasive metaphor, Mister Tiernan." He leaned forward slightly. "I assure you -- if I had any qualms about fighting impossible odds, I would never have run for this office to begin with. My gifts may not be quite so extraordinary as some -- but I'm more than prepared to use them, no matter how difficult that may prove."
|
|
|
Post by Jordanna on Jul 18, 2007 19:53:00 GMT -5
Tiernan stiffened slightly and straightened in his chair, his eyes widening fractionally and then narrowing.
"Your gifts," he breathed, staggered by the implications of the remark. "Your gifts, Mister Cole?"
He shot a quick glance at Daws--searching for any sign that she had been keeping information from him.
|
|
|
Post by skybright on Jul 18, 2007 22:40:27 GMT -5
Daws, for her part, was regarding Cole with narrowed eyes. The outward expression was merely skeptical and a bit curious -- but she was inwardly furious.
Dangit, Cole, she thought, hoping that every word was carrying to the politician, Are you that dumb, or are you just trying to bury the both of us?
Cole, for his part, merely spread his hands. "We all have our gifts, Mister Tiernan." He replied blithely. "Mine are a certain talent for political dealings, an inbred stubbornness and a foolish sort of idealism -- coupled with the sort of manner people seem disposed to vote for.
"As I said, not so extraordinary as some." He glanced significantly at Daws, "Perhaps not even out of the ordinary at all. But I do intend to use them for my --for our -- purposes."
|
|
|
Post by Jordanna on Jul 19, 2007 20:34:04 GMT -5
Tiernan's expression immediately lapsed into a mask. His sudden suspicions were not mollified by Cole's explanation, and there would obviously be no use in direct questioning. Everything would have to be put on hold until he acquired further information.
"Well... I'm quite reassured to hear that," he replied tonelessly, without bothering to conceal his dubiety. "And I'm sure you understand that I meant what I said. Of course, the first matter is to see what beginning you make--and if stronger measures prove to be necessary..." His eyes glittered dangerously. "You know where to turn first for support."
|
|
|
Post by skybright on Jul 19, 2007 21:54:13 GMT -5
"Of course." Cole inclined his head, giving no sign of noticing Tiernan's sudden change in attitude. "And I'm certainly grateful to have somewhere I can turn for support. With your backing and the backing of your people, I know we can make changes in this City."
|
|
|
Post by Jordanna on Jul 19, 2007 22:04:58 GMT -5
"Can and will," said Tiernan, and stood up.
"I'm sure you're extremely busy, Mister Cole, so I won't detain you any longer. I appreciate your taking the time for this little chat."
|
|
|
Post by skybright on Jul 19, 2007 22:09:37 GMT -5
"Of course." Cole stood, smoothing down the front of his neat gray suit. "I'm sure we'll speak again soon."
Knowing Tiernan's aversion to contact, Cole did not offer his hand; he settled for inclining his head to both Tiernan and Daws with a polite, cool smile. "Good afternoon, Mister Tiernan. Miss Dawson."
Daws returned the nod with a carefully neutral expression. "Mister Cole." Don't even think you're getting off this easy, pal. You and I have some chatting to do.
Cole's expression didn't waver; he merely turned and left Tiernan's office with long, brisk strides.
|
|
|
Post by Jordanna on Jul 19, 2007 22:27:03 GMT -5
The moment the door was closed, Tiernan's glance shot incisively toward Daws.
"I'm quite sure, Miss Dawson, that you didn't miss the implications I read in his remarks."
|
|
|
Post by skybright on Jul 19, 2007 22:30:40 GMT -5
Daws chuckled humorlessly and pushed her fedora back. "They'd be a bit difficult to miss, Mister Tiernan. Not too many people use that word 'gifts' around us without it meaning a pretty specific thing."
|
|