Yes, this could be interesting

In your old home, you were never really politically active. There never was a reason to be. When you were old enough to understand election programs, political parties and activism, none of the potentially leaders in your hometown really interested you. Your mother on the other hand often had discussions with mighty people about improving medical service, supporting voluntary work and such things. Mostly it was just harmless talk and peaceful negotiations, but some of the discussions were quite aggressive.

When you were old enough, your mom took you to some of her political meetings and dinners. But soon you found out, you prefer to stay active. Instead of sitting with rich people on a table and smile like a brainless idiot, you enjoyed heating discussions, demonstrations and one time you even chained yourself with about twenty other people to the doors of an oil conference. Your mother was both angry and proud when picking you up from the police station.

When asking your mother once, why she always goes to such boring meetings, she admitted that she was a hothead activist in her youth too, but the hospital needed the money from these guys. And she took you with her, to spend some time with you and you were a shield for her against unwanted flirting of the hosts. Most of these guys were not interested in woman who already have children.

Even if it was just for a short while, you were politically active once and you see no reason why you shouldn’t try it again. You don’t know much about Patricia Nidal, the mayor or their politics, but while working for these people you could find out a lot. And since organized crime and corrupted politicians normally are very strong connected, it could also be important for your investigations.

“Ok, listen,” you begin carefully, “I know nothing about this election or the candidates. I’m interested to help and I take your offer, but I need more information. And if this is not the kind or politician I want to support, I will go immediately. Can you live with this?”

“You sound not very convinced,” Miss Rao replies sceptic, “we don’t need undecided wannabees. We need steadfast supporters who are willing to stand up for the right thing. I have my doubt you really care about this city.”

“I’m sure, what my comrade wanted to say is, that we are very grateful for your help and totally understand your hesitation,” Tyler interrupts and silences Miss Rao with a deadly look, “welcome, my friend. I … don’t even know your name.”

“Ashley,” you answer smiling, “Ashley Pike.”

“Pike?” Tyler says thoughtfully, “I have heard this name before. Wasn’t it … no, must be a coincidence. Well, Ashley, I will give you a short lesson about our main topics in case somebody asks.”

Tylor shows you’re the stand and the handouts. It is, to be honest, nothing special. Just pictures of a woman you assume to be Miss Nidal herself and some election slogan under it. On the backside of the handout, you see some phrases from the election program. Things that sound nice, but are too complicated to explain on such small space.

You begin at Tyler’s side. You listen to him while he tells some people about Miss Nidal’s plans or mayor Hull’s corruption. However, several times, some people want to talk to you instead. Especially guys. You are not that experienced but give your best to explain what you know. Tyler seems to be pleased with your work and after some times, he lets you talk with the people on your own. Especially men and young people prefer you to talk with. But Tyler also gets a lot of attention from woman around his age. You don’t know what kind of people Miss Rao has to take care of. She is talking and sometimes arguing with a lot of different people. After some time, you just finished a father and his son, Miss Rao appears next to you. She looks strict and crosses her arms.

“Hey girl, one word please,” Miss Rao mumbles and leads you a few steps away from Tyler, “I need you to change your … tactic.”

“What do you mean?” you ask, “people come to me and talk. I answer when I can. That’s not really a tactic.”

“They don’t come to you because they are interested in the change,” Miss Rao replies cold, “they come to you because they consider you a beauty. They want to ogle you, flirt with you and probably check their chances to get you in bed. I want you to keep their hopes high.”

“What are you talking about?” you ask sceptic, “their hopes? Do you want me to flirt instead of telling them the program?”

“That would be a start, yes,” Miss Rao agrees and nods, “and then you can go further. Open a button, get a little closer and don’t act so fucking smart. Men don’t like smart women. Smart women scare them. And we need their votes.”

“I’m not a slut,” you reply sharp, “and this is silly. They should vote the candidate with the best ideas.”

“I never said you are a slut, I said you should act like one,” Miss Rao replies untouched by your complain, “and don’t be naive! Theses losers vote for corrupt assholes like Hull every election. Not because they have any good ideas, but because they have some young busty bimbos on their election stands, who draw the entire attention. When you have the attention, you can try explaining them our program. Just show some commitment to the change.”

“I said I’m not a slut, and I will not act like one,” you reply angry, “I thought you would be pleased when I waste my free time to support you, but if you can only complain, I will go immediately.”

“If you are not ready to do anything for the success, you are useless here,” Miss Rao replies angry, “we don’t need halfhearted attempts.”

You hate this bitch. Your heartrate goes up every second you have to look at her. How much would you love to smack her in the face and leave. You talked to probably one hundred people and none of them stayed to help like you. But she still seems to believe you do not enough for her fucking change. If more of Nidal’s supporters are like this bitch, she will have a hard time winning this election.

“Ashley, there you are,” a voice suddenly calls you, “can’t you go on your phone when I call you? I was looking for you. Come on, we need to go!”

Eric is back. And you seem to have missed his calls. You hope he is not angry.

“Excuse me, friend,” Tyler interrupts and carefully gets between you and Eric, “would you mind telling me what you want? Ashley, do you know this guy?”

“Yes, that’s Eric, my bodyguard,” you say and immediately realize you shouldn’t have said this.

“Bodyguard?” Tyler asks and obviously realizes your last name is not a coincidence. “wait, does this mean you …”

“As much as I like your political games, but we need to go,” Eric says impatient, “your father called me. He wants you back in the mansion immediately. Please say goodbye to your friends and follow me!”

“I … well … yes, I do,” you agree confused and put the handouts back to the others, “Tyler … I’m sorry. I should have told you the meaning of my last name. I didn’t meant to upset or lie to you. If you … if you want we can stay in contact. Maybe we can meet again. If you are not angry now.”

“Well … sure,” Tyler mumbles confused, “let’s exchange numbers.”

Quickly you give Tyler your number and save his in your new phone. Eric waits impatient while you say goodbye to Tyler. To Miss Rao, you don’t want to talk. Afterwards you follow Eric to the car.

“Is everything alright with your friends?” you ask Eric to break the silence, “did my father said what happened?”

“They are still idiots, but they will survive,” Eric mumbles much calmer and starts the car, “I guess I owe you for this. And no, I have no idea what your dad wants, but I assume it must be very important if he orders me to bring you back. But I would have dragged you away from these crazy Nidal cultists anyway. This Tyler seems reasonable, but most of these guys are dangerous nutjobs. And they hate your family.”

“I don’t know much about them,” you admit, “I’m sorry if I caused you trouble. But they seemed not bad. At least the guy did not. The woman was a worse bitch than Victoria. Eric, when they hate us, does this mean my father is a supporter of current mayor Hull?”

“Your father cares little to nothing about this idiot Hull,” Eric answers and make a sour face when speaking the mayors name, “but he is good for business. Nidal on the other hand, well, let’s say she is a risk. She is radical and ruthless. Trust me princess, this woman is not trustworthy. I don’t think your father will do anything against your political engagement, but Hull is an investment and he will clearly not like it that you mess with his investments.”

Now that Eric said this, it makes sense. If the mayor is indeed corrupt, he is likely on your father’s payroll. Maybe Tyler was not shocked by your family name because your father is a crime lord, but one of mayor Hulls biggest supporters. You need to remember this, should you follow this lead.