Green policy backlash

Councilwoman Lydia Jenners re-read the memo and sighed heavily. She was so proud of her Green Party's initiative to ban all private and internal combustion vehicles from the town centre, but things have not quite gone the way she hoped. The inevitable opposition from drivers and climate change deniers was successfully moderated by the promise of a green electric light tram services in the affected areas. This is where problems began, however; despite her office's best efforts supplier errors meant that the tracks were in place and road traffic was closed, but the tram cars themselves were still unavailable. The memo informed her that she and her colleague Councilwoman Sarah Beavor from the Green Party are to be punished for this and the punishment will be conducted jointly by an internal affairs party officer and their third (and last) colleague from the town council, Councilman James Lampard of the more conservative kind. As often was the case with female officials' punishments, Sarah and Lydia were instructed to be in the town square nearest Saturday noon.

A knock on the door brings Lydia back to reality. "Come in", she calls; predictably enough, Sarah was revealed once the door opened. Neither needed to ask if the other has read the memo, their faces said it clearly enough. "Sarah and James, huh", Sarah says instead to break the awkward silence. "Yeah... Wonder what will they come up with". Sarah was known for inventive punishment for party functionaries failing their duties; James, on the other hand, was as conservative in discipline as he was in politics. A cane or a birch did the trick for him.

The two women talk briefly about the unfairness of being punished for a supplier's shortcomings, but both knew it was just a way to get the fear of what was to come out. The supplier will deal with their own discipline issues; their office, whatever the cause, failed to deliver at the end of the day. Even Councilman Lampard, after being outvoted on the project, managed to run his part through smoothly (albeit it was arguably the less risky part).

Knowing they have to get back to work lest they want their situation to become even more dire, they keep their grievances brief and soon part ways. With only a couple of days to go until Saturday the wait will not be too long... But it will be excruciating nonetheless. Lydia also could never tell what the looks her subordinates gave her really meant. Were they sorry for her? Thinking she deserved it? And how many of them were looking forward to it, whatever it may be?