» Sat Oct 27, 2012 2:02 pm
Mexico City, Mexico
Grand agora
Presidential Inauguration
Councilman Enrique Silver squinted slightly under the bright spotlights of Mexico City's Grand agora. The man took a deep breath and once again examined the sight in front of him. Rows upon rows of people were arrayed, numbering in the thousands. All of the people attending were well dressed in the warm Mexican night air and stood completely silent. Above them rested the open night sky, the stars not visible due to the bright lights of Mexico City. The occasion these people were attending was one of great importance, the Presidential inauguration of the United Mexican Democracy.
Enrique snuck a quick peak at the man standing beside him, Josea Maernot. Josea was an old enemy of Enrique's, the man- who was a fellow councilman- had opposed his word and propositions, and to make things even worse he was a member of the Steed party. The Steed's had had a streak of having their candidate become the President since the UMD was born, no exceptions. Josea was a very well groomed man, with tanned skin, medium length, wavy black hair, and gleaming white politicians teeth. The first thing that stood out about Josea's facial features was his enormous nose with a bridge that rose higher than usual. The man's nose was so large in fact, that when Enrique was going through with his campaign against him he had said that the man had lied so much that it had grown to that size, just like Pinocchio. Josea was wearing a crisp black three piece suit with a gleaming silver tie and slick, black, leather shoes. The Steed candidate looked so confident and cool in this suit, light brown eyes gleaming and smile sparkling brightly.
Enrique felt a sudden pang of doubt as he looked down at his own apparel. He wore an unflawed, bright white suit with a metallic looking bronze tie and white loafers. He noticed with slight distaste that his hands were shaking slightly, though whether it was from excitement, nervousness, or both, he did not know. Unlike Josea, Enrique did not wear a smile, but rather a look of grim seriousness. Enrique was a middle-aged man, thought to be about 45 by the populous but in reality he was 54. Short, salt and pepper hair adorned Enrique's head along with a similarly colored wiry beard. The man's face itself was all angles, blades, and planes. His check bones were high and his cheeks gaunt. The thing that stood out most on Enrique's face, opposed to Josea's beast of a nose, were his small, light grey eyes that seemed to peal away your soul like a monkey to a banana.
In front of the two men was Julia Camerino, an attractive yet smart young lass that was gifted with the honor of announcing who got the title of President. Mrs. Camerino was in a short red dress that didn't quite seem appropriate for ceremonies such as this and paired with her 6 inch high heels she looked ridiculous on the Agora's raised platform. In her hand the you lady held a slip of paper that contained the name of the President of the United Mexican Democracy, whoever it might be. But it WILL be me, Enrique reminded himself, at least if Joseph did his job. Julia strutted up to the to the microphone that sat on a large stone podium and tapped it once. Two loud thumps thundered through the Agora, followed by the sweet, high voice of the young woman. She spoke in perfectly pronounced Spanish.
"Good evening citizens of the United Mexican Democracy, my name is Julia Camereno and I will be conducting the ceremony of the nineteenth Presidential inauguration."
Whispers of excitement and delicate claps ran through the crowd of rich UMD citizens as they waited for the inevitable inauguration of the Steed candidate, just as it always was. Julia waited a moment for the crowd to calm down and then continued speaking.
"Alright, calm yourselves please. Thank you. Now, before we continue any I think it would be fitting if we played our great nation anthem and take a moment to honor those who have sacrificed their lives to building this great country."
Just as she finished music flowed into the square and all of the crowd raised their left hand up to rest in the air just above their left shoulder. The music was smooth, flowing, and subtle and continued for nearly two minutes before ending in a flourish of drums. Flags on the rooftops surrounding the agora flew in the wind, all of them showing different colors and symbols to represent the different districts of Mexico. Behind the raised platform stood a much larger flag, this one was the true flag of the UMD, a rearing bronze steed on a gleaming white background. With the music over all of the crowd dropped their hands and once again took their seats. Julia lowered her own hand and resumed speaking.
This time Enrique tuned her out, waves of nervousness flew over him like a relentless tide battering the shore. The Union candidate growled in frustration as a bead of sweat fell from his hairline down to his chin. This was all taking to long. Enrique looked at Josea who still sat at his side only to find that he was looking back. Josea sneered at the older candidate and spoke quietly so no one else could hear him.
"What's wrong Silver? There's nothing to worry about, it's nit like a Union member will ever become President. The old ways are dead, you should remember that."
Enrique glared at the youngin' and spoke in a harsh whisper.
"It would be wise if you held your tongue and respected your elders, Maernot. How about we let the paper tell who the winner is."
Josea gave a slight chuckle and turned, apparently finding the older man's words humorous. Enrique was about to further push at the man but then he heard the dreaded words.
"And now with great pride I announce that the new President of the United Mexican Democracy is..."
Julia paused dramatically and sliced open the envelope with a well maintained red fingernail. Once again Enrique's hands started to shake with anticipation. This was the most important point in his life, the thing he had been striving for for 54 years. The man sent a quick prayer to the All God, hoping that Joseph had followed through with his task. All sound seemed to be svcked out of the crowd as they waited for the words "Josea Maernot", but those words never came.
"... Enrique Silver... Wait... Uhh, yes. It seems, people of the United Mexican Democracy, that Enrique Silver, the Union candidate, is the new President if the United Mexican Democracy. Long live the President!"
To be continued in part two...