Chapter Thirty-Four: Edison

“Today we have Senator Edison Trafalgar joining us. Spearheading the campaign for human rights, Senator Trafalgar has joined us to discuss the new bill, the implications it will have, and giving power back to the people in a time where it is lost. Senator…”

I’ve always loved the limelight. Sitting here in front of the cameras where behind them thousands of people watch as I say my words to inspire peace, love, and understanding. The most powerful tool in my arsenal. Breaking the norms. Giving those who have been so brainwashed by years of politicians feeding them what they want to hear. I do the same, of course. The only difference being my voice has always been for them. Believed for them, rather. Only to further my own agendas. This news report is no different. I sit and listen as they drone on about me. Talking me up today and slandering my name tomorrow. A news room is a fickle place. They don’t care about the facts. All they want is the next big story that will give them the most notice.

What a time to be alive.

“Thank you, Laura. It’s great to be here with you, and thank you for having me on today. I would just like to start out by saying it’s a great honor to be here with you, and to the people listening in from home, thanks for tuning in.” The ever caring, kind-natured soul. These interviews…that’s true acting. Watching a man run his mouth on some action film is easy. He only needs to do it for a few months, and then he can go back to his petty existence. In the game of politics, you play your cards close to your vest, the mask never ceasing to break.

“Senator, will you tell us about your new bill and what it would mean for the supernatural races?” asks Laura Dunny, a fine young lady, the morning news on WNO. She’s going to be good for my career. A constant smile in the face of turmoil. We are very much alike.

“The Human Rights Act is not meant to deter the supernatural community before any negative stigma about the bill is conjured. What the Human Rights Act is supposed to do is to give us a fighting chance if the supernatural community tries to strike on us the same way they are currently doing with each other. A small town in the middle of America has been ravaged by war for the last decade. A decade of turmoil for the people who live there. Who face up to these beings and have been for far too long. The Vampire King, Daffyd Llanneli, up against a werewolf alpha. Now that fight has taken to the people, where before it had not. Buildings collapsed under the weight of a magical attack, killing hundreds of innocent people.” I’m calm. Deep down there is nothing but seething rage. Unlike many, I do believe that we have to stand together as people. In these trying times even more.

“Vampires, witches, werewolves…hell, even gods. If legends are true and the tales we’ve read and enjoyed are true, these things come after us and use us as playthings and a supply of food, and I’m not going to let this go. What I propose is that a supernatural being must be tagged. They must let themselves be known to the people so that the people can stand a chance. They should have nothing to hide. Why would a vampire be afraid of a man? Even if the man knows he’s a vampire? What could we really do…”

Laura listens intently.

“And what about supernatural activist groups?” Her next question is one that I have considered and thought long and hard about.

“Supernaturals aren’t a community that needs activist groups,” I answer. “They are not a minority in their own right. Supernatural activist groups are nothing more than teen girls who have romanticized the idea of being a vampire or a werewolf, or with all the books that are widely available, a partner to them. They have kept themselves out of our society for however long, right? So how can they assume they can just walk in now? The bill is not to hinder any progress on making them a part of our communities. It’s just a safe and easy way to integrate them into our natural state of affairs. They can work, they can come to community events, and they can generally have an easy, normal life among the community. My plans are to work closely in hand with the Agency of Supernatural Hunters in this matter. I believe that their agenda will meet with mine. They keep them under wraps and have since long before you and I knew that the supernatural community existed, so why not integrate them into modern society? Have them be a part of our world. Together, we can build a new future.”

Very well put. I nailed this interview. I can’t help but think it. After all, it’s not every day you’re at the forefront of one of the greatest times in history. Like Lincoln, Washington, and so many others, I am a part of something greater.

I lose myself in the imagination that someday I will be a great man. Or rather, a greater man. Love, adoration, and appreciation from those around me. Something I’ve always had from the people, but something that can only get stronger. I’ve always worked hard to build this reputation. The man men want to be and women want to be with. She speaks on, and I don’t listen to a word she says, lost in thought.

“Is there anything else, Senator?” She asks me, and I nod.

“Yes. This is the perfect time to formally announce that I will be running for the presidency. We’ve had great men lead us in the past and great men that will lead us in the future. To be a part of that great order would be an honor.”

I can see on her face she wasn’t expecting that. I was. I had it all planned out.

“On those astounding words, it’s top of the hour. Here’s Bruce Finch with the weather…”