City Council Building
"I understand. Tell them I will definitely stand with them."
Holding the receiver of an old-fashioned telephone, the man in a white shirt and striped tie took a deep breath and pressed down the hang-up button.
Then, with a bang, he slammed the receiver onto the desk, straightened up, flung out his arms, and roared furiously, "Bastard! That damned old turtle! That old lunatic! I'm going to impeach him! Get him out of the mayor's seat! Who does he think he is, the king of Ilan?!"
"Calm down, buddy. Where's that Saint Ilan elegance and poise you're so proud of?"
On the other side of the office, a tall, lean man in a loose suit with a cigar clenched between his teeth took out a bottle of whiskey with a somewhat aged label and two square glass tumblers from the wine cabinet, placing them on the low table in front of the sofa.
He raised the bottle and poured liquor into both glasses. "Don't forget, your signature is on the impeachment proposal too."
Ring ring ring—
The telephone on the desk rang again.
The White Shirt reached out and answered it. Whatever the person on the other end said seemed to make him frown slightly. Then, suppressing his anger, he said quickly, "What the hell are you people doing? If he insists on contacting me, are you supposed to tell him I'm unavailable? Bunch of idiots. Put his call through."
With a soft ding, the White Shirt's furious face instantly turned into a gentle smile.
"Sir Klock... Yes, of course, I definitely remember you. I still haven't thanked you for persuading the surrounding neighbors and neighborhood residents to come vote for me.
"...Your grandson is doing well, right? The boy must be at the age where he's