The meeting had gone reasonably well. Luke, Maria, Benny, Lisa-Joe and a few other trusted advisers had attended and provided council. There had been a needed catharsis of bitching about Ben doing this at all, and Jake was pleased to see it came from more than just him. Benny would start figuring out how to poll, as well as running analytics in the district for what was popular and what was not. Lisa-Joe would play the roll of talking head to the other districts, businesses, and important factions. Endorsements were important, and Lisa-Joe would gain them, as well as listen for gossip about his opponent. Luke would talk to the security teams, and ensure they behaved. It was important to look as polished and just as possible. Maria would count the votes, as Keeper she held the census. It would give the campaign an idea of who they had in their corner, who Ben had, and who was still left on the table. The one thing everyone agreed on was Jake should not manage this campaign himself.
He had too many other things to focus on. He was still the Central District Leader, the head of the Anarchs, and had businesses to manage. He couldn't add another full time job on top of his many other commitments. There was also an unspoken energy in the room, and Jake hated feeling it as much as he hated agreeing with it. Jake wasn't the best person to sell himself outside of a speech or two. He was just too polarizing. They wanted time for his image from the west to recover, and so naming a prominent citizen to be his official campaign manager would help. He had one man in mind, Damien Evans.
He got Murphy's text, but didn't reply right away. First he pulled out his phone and wrote a quick email.
Dear Mr. Evans,
I hope you and yours are well. I would like to discuss a matter of business with you at your earliest convenience. Please let me know if and when this meeting should take place.
Regards,
JM
He sent it, and then replied to Murphy he'd be right out. He dismissed his war council, more or less happy with the results. It would be a long road, but once thing was clear. Ben had as many disadvantages as Jake did, and Jake had perhaps one or two more advantages. On the downside, Ben would make the most out of the west, and Jake feared a very negative campaign based on attacking him and the Anarchs. On the other hand, Jake had experience, and whatever could be said of it, it was actual experience running government. Jake has also managed to pay for the district's operation, and police it without the ward, which were no small feats. It guaranteed nothing, but it helped to stop the headache that came from the little shit's initial announcement. He had an oar in the pond. It wasn't a lost cause.
Jake found Murphy at the bar, the shot glasses and beer mugs indicating the human had been drinking. He also smelt like whiskey, hot and sweet coming from his breath. Jake wondered if this was just the human cutting loose, but that seemed unlikely. He swept into the chair next to him like a shadow, and placed a free hand on one of Murphy's. He looked adorable, but slightly downcast.
"Hello," he said, leaning in for a greeting kiss. "How were things," he asked as vaguely as possible. He didn't want Murphy to think he was fishing for information about Ben, but he did want his boyfriend to know that he cared about his day and his other interests outside their relationship. The bartender brought him blood disguised as a Bloody Mary. The fake celery sticks were a nice touch.
