The Found Arcana - Eleventh Interlude - Seattle [IC] Options

[Tecumseh]

<<Saturday Morning - 14:30 - April 15, 2079 - SIS, Bellevue>>

It's a sunny spring Saturday afternoon and Corinne Potter is visiting the Highlands neighborhood for a local meet-and-greet. It's been about a week since your job with Sonja concluded. Dennis has not been seen or heard from since. Word is out that his friends are looking for him... or for the people who last saw him.

It didn't take long for Shir to respond to AM; they were able to find a mutually agreeable time the next weekend. The Potter campaign insisted on bringing refreshments. Traditionally these are provided by the hosts, but Potter wouldn't take no for an answer. Whether this is a security consideration, or a dietary necessity, or simply a control issue is an open question.

Corinne has brought iced tea and lemonade, along with cookies and sweet petit fours. Some people mix the iced tea and lemonade to make Arnold Palmers.

"These are so good!" Bao, the young Chinese mother, tells Corinne after eating a cookie. "Where did you get them??"

"Homemade!" Potter beams proudly. Bao is amazed. "It's my mother ... rest in peace ... my mother's recipe for Russian tea cakes. I grew up eating these!" Corinne continues. She seems to perfectly mimic Bao's bouncy energy. Bao looks charmed, even if she had disparaging things to say about Potter's fashion sense earlier.

Indeed, Corinne's personal style is more of an everywoman appearance. Mostly she wears blue jeans and white sneakers, but the weather is so nice today that she's wearing a pastel sundress with a lacy sweater, plus sensible shoes. Perhaps she's dressing up a bit since it's Bellevue. Her hair still isn't perfectly cooperative, but overall she has a cute, approachable, girl-next-door kind of look.

"It's almost Tax Day," says Danforth Ableworth, of Danforth Commercial Properties. Indeed, UCAS federal taxes are due two days from now. "What is your tax plan?" he asks.

"Well, as Governor of Seattle, I wouldn't have any say over federal tax rates, you understand," she begins, her tone quickly pivoting to one more for business and policy-making. "But from a local perspective I want to keep the Metroplex taxes as low as possible. I think it should each district should have more flexibility to change tax rates and prioritize spending as they see fit. The needs of Bellevue are not the same as the needs of Tacoma, so why should their tax plans be consistent?"

Danforth nods sagely at the wisdom of this. "Good. Keep the government out of our pocket. Lower taxes, limited government, and faith in the individual."

Hina, the older Japanese dwarf, asks, "What about the local megacorps? Can't they do more to help their communities?"

"The corporations do a lot," Corinne responds. "They're major drivers of the economy, and their local spending trickles down. I want the city to have a healthy, respectful relationship with local businesses both large and small. They are our customers after all. Like any business, the city should strive to not only meet the terms of its contracts, but also provide exceptional service as well."

Edie is there, buzzing around. Having so many people to snoop on at once is intoxicating for her. Shir is also on hand to coordinate. She has a capable look to her and carries herself as if she has military training.

"It's truly an honor to be here. Thank you so much for inviting me! I've always believed that neighborhoods like this are the heart and soul of our city." Corinne might repeat that line in every neighborhood, but the audience absolutely eats it up.

Sakutaro, the Japanese male from Sakura Security is also there, watching politely from a respectful distance. However, security is primarily being provided by two massive Knight-Errant orks. They are in their dress uniforms and their tusks have been polished to a high shine, but their purpose is clear. Both are extensively wired. They stand close to Corinne and scan the crowd continually.

The astral security is similar. There are two massive (F8) spirits hovering on standby, also looking for signs of trouble. Bobby recognizes them from the roof of Corinne's apartment building, so they must be bound spirits. The still look menacing; they look like sticks of dynamite ready to explode. Bobby will need to conceal his aura, or watch remotely, as it's possible that they are still searching for him.

"Hi, I'm Corinne," she says to each of you with a firm handshake (although her hands are soft) and a warm smile. "What's your name?" Up close, she smells of jasmine and honeysuckle. You feel a subtle, pleasant glow from the personal attention.