Читать книгу Breaking the Chains - William T Blake - Страница 7

- "Is this being taken care of?"

"Nothing you need to worry about sir. The wheels are already in motion." -

The daylight gave way to twilight, with all in readiness the proceedings commenced. A series of short speeches from prominent party officials paved the way for his entry. The public relations machine, the men and women who worked behind the scenes knew the only person anyone had any interest in hearing was the man himself. The PR machine had toiled diligently to ensure that the people would not be disappointed. The building up of the crowd, the enthusiasm and excitement gave them every reason to be confident that all of the long hours and hard work would pay off.

The formalities complete, Ken stood to address his audience. The crowd rose to its feet in unison whilst at the same time breaking out into wild applause to a point of pandemonium. The hand clapping accompanied by the stamping of feet, whistling and cheering, all of which continued on for some time, the noise deafening.

Standing at a little over six feet tall and with a natural athletic build, Ken was a handsome man. He possessed the rugged type of looks that most women found irresistible. His thick, dark brown hair with a touch of a curl always appeared slightly long but never untidy. An occasional locket would fall onto his forehead affording him a cheeky but innocent look. His muscular arms and broad shoulders all sitting atop a trim waist-line. Clothing fit him well, giving the appearance of being tailor made. Coupled to his good looks were charisma and warm charm, something he could turn on at will.

Regardless of any endeavor he undertook, he accepted nothing less than perfection, either of himself or those around him. The cost in any terms outweighed by the sweet tastes of success.

Always calm and collected he was rarely, if ever, unruffled by any situation. From the time of his childhood he had been a 'stand out', feeling comfortable and confident in any place or crowd, a fact that Ken himself knew all too well. He too, never failed to use this to his advantage whenever it suited his purposes.

Prior to his marriage to Cathy he had had many women, rarely seeing any one of them for more than a few weeks or perhaps some months. Amazingly, he did not consider himself a womanizer. He only saw these activities as taking advantage of an opportunity and nothing more. For a period after his marriage he had remained faithful to his wife. However as time passed and the opportunities kept presenting themselves he succumbed to the temptations. He felt no guilt whatsoever in this self-gratification.

Dressed in a dark suit, white shirt and red tie, he stood, lifting his arms high above his head victoriously, smiling and waving while he waited for calm. He soaked in the atmosphere, allowing the adrenaline to build up in his body.

He clearly understood that he would need to draw upon every resource he had within his conscious being. He could leave no stone unturned. Every word he spoke, every move he made must result in maximum impact. Anything less tonight and he would be failing himself and the party who placed so much trust and faith in him.

After much coercing from Ken, the audience finally settled and there was sufficient silence to enable him to commence his speech. Communicating to those gathered in the stadium and to those watching via the direct telecast or listening on the radio, the speech he himself had written. Despite the many attempts by his minders to make changes or to tone down his own strong beliefs he steadfastly refused. Tonight, this was the real Ken presenting himself to the public at large without any of the usual glossing over. No public relations machine, no minders and no imitations and certainly no apologies for being the man he was.

He would seek the approval of the people on his own terms. He must, once and for all, convince his fellow citizens that he is the man for this time. A man of unquestioned honor, someone they can trust to represent them fairly and without fear or favour. The one man who could lead them into an era that brought with it new opportunities, someone who would get the job done.

Tonight's rally was the pinnacle of the entire campaign, everything the party had worked for now hinged upon his performance. Failure on his part to effectively communicate with the people was simply not an option. If he could not convince the community of his desire to serve them with integrity, then he simply did not want the office.

His nerves were strung as tight as the strings of a violin; however, as he’d stepped up to the microphone all doubt left him. He knew then that he was in control as he thought to himself, "It just can't get any better than this."

He smiled briefly, just long enough to convey that he was confident and comfortable with the situation. He began, “Ladies and gentlemen, tonight I stand before you seeking your support," hesitating for a brief moment before continuing, "You the people who know me, you know who and what I am. I am a man who comes from amongst you and not one who is imported from another place simply because I fit the mold. I was born right here in the same hospital as many of you were. I was educated here in the same system. I was raised right here in this city and I am committed to the best interests of every person who calls this wonderful state of ours their home. You know my background and you know all of the policies of the party I represent and all it stands for. I have personally stood up to the scrutiny of the media and our opposition. We have hidden nothing from you simply because we have nothing to hide.” Ken looked directly into the television camera and as if on-queue, hesitated a moment to further compose himself. Lowering the tone of his voice a tad he continued, “You are also aware that my life has been privileged beyond most in our community. My political opponents have ensured you are aware of every detail, relevant or not. Oh yes, indeed, they have left little unsaid in seeking to discredit me and have, in fact, pushed the point of my upbringing at every opportunity. What was it they found? What did they dig up that discredits me or that you didn't already know?"

"Let us keep in mind that this opposition is from the political party of my forefathers, even my own father and it was never a problem for them until now. It would be a fair question to ask why that is."

"Yes, I have been sheltered from the hardships that many in our community live with and even to this day continue to suffer. I have an education for so long reserved for just the select few. I have travelled extensively and enjoyed most of the material things any man could hope for or desire.” Pausing a moment Ken deliberately looked downward showing, he hoped, regret and with it an appropriate level of embarrassment. Focusing back into the camera he continued, “I had all of those privileges by being born in the right place at the right time. We should call it for what it is, the luck of the draw, none of us have a choice as to where or to whom we are born."

"These liberties were not a result of my own labours. I have never been in a position where I have had to risk anything let alone everything to make a life for myself or my family. I would awake to the enjoyment of life’s good things and went to sleep at night knowing it would be there yet again when I awoke the following day. It cost me nothing. It did not cost me any effort, nor worry or precious time; if money could buy it then I could have it. Mostly, I didn’t even have to ask. I just assumed it was mine to take and so I took.”

Taking yet another opportunity he momentarily paused, while at the same time glancing around at the captive audience assembled before him. They hung on his every word, seeing the positive effects he generated, he smiled. With a feeling of elation he once again turned to the cameras and continued, “I can make no apologies for the life that I have had, I was born to it and I do not believe I can be held responsible for it. However, I can and must be held accountable from this time forth. For now I understand I was a selfish, self-indulgent man who cared little for the plight of anybody or anything other than the fulfillment of my own wants and needs, perhaps I don't even have the right to call them needs for in the most part it was indulgence.”

Glancing downward, hanging his head just slightly and then gazing into the audience he said in a subdued tone, “Why am I not that person now? Why would you, the hard working individual, the battler, the under-privileged or the disadvantaged put your trust in me? It seems such a short time since my eyes were open to a world that I did not know or even consider existed. Not because it was not there for me to see but because, in my life of indulgence, I, by my lifestyle and selfishness denied its existence. My life was so full of myself that I failed to be a proper and complete human being. Then I saw it all with my own eyes, the poverty, the despair, hungry children, mothers and fathers who carried the heavy burdens of keeping a family, those who turned to alcohol and drugs to cope, those whose only option for survival was to turn to crime. I witnessed firsthand women and children who were the victims of every kind of abuse and inside I wept. I wept in shame. I wept because I had ignored it all, but above all I wept because now my eyes were opened to the real world. My heart was deeply touched and with it came the worst of all feeling, total helplessness." After a further moment of hesitation, "such was my despair that I delved deep within my soul and searched my heart, for I knew, that with this knowledge I had to do something to make a difference. Over the past years I have worked to that end. You, the people can now judge me on the basis of my personal commitment which the press, my supporters and political party have rolled out before you during this campaign. You, the people can either support a change of government and by so doing empower me and my party to initiate great and effective social changes and impacts or you can by your vote deny us that opportunity."

Ken took in a deep breath, his eyes again scanning around the stadium before stating, "That my friends is the decision you must make when you go to the polls. At the end of the day the decision is a simple one. By your vote you can retain the status quo, keep in power those who have ruled for so long that their arrogance denies them a social conscience. Or you can vote for change. Change that brings with it new opportunities for all, new and fresh ideas and policies. Above all it will bring to power a government that cares for its people.”

With his usual perfect timing and judgment he changed the subject, shifting the focus away from himself and to that of actual governing. “I too, understand the need for good and balanced government. My colleagues and I have all of the necessary degrees and qualifications to manage with efficiency. My government will commit to the private sector. We will consult with and listen to business and we will hear their concerns and support their endeavors and ensure a strong and vibrant private business sector. We will retain full and fairly paid employment for everybody. We will bring down balanced budgets." Staring straight ahead, deliberating lowering and adjusting the tone in his voice in warning he continued, "But be sure to know this, above all we will govern on a fair to all basis. There simply will not be favor earned by status. There will be no under the counter deals, there will be honest, open government with all of the proper accountabilities to you, the people. Electing my party to government will mean an end to government for the advantaged. It will mean fair and responsible government for all of the peoples of our community, regardless of who they are or where they live and it will mean stability and certainty for businesses both large and small."

Ken continued to speak, openly explaining once again the key components of his party's policies in line with their official and already stated platform.

At the conclusion of his speech there was a standing ovation, cheering and applause once again so loud that he could no longer hear any directions through his earpiece.

It was by now blatantly obvious that Ken had made the right call and the people were on his side. He felt elated beyond anything he had ever experienced at any time in his life. His face beaming as he smiled and waved to the crowd, forgetting the cameras he wandered to the edge of the stage, shaking hands with those who had broken through security barriers.

Sitting in the audience were two men who didn't share either Ken's or the crowds' enthusiasm at what they were hearing. The senior of the two men turned to the other asking, "Is this being taken care of?" The other man smiled slightly and nodding his head replied, "Nothing you need to worry about sir. The wheels are already in motion. Damn crusaders come and go, this one has been particularly difficult to shake, but let me assure you sir, he will deeply regret ever having taken on this crusade of his, yes sir,. He will deeply regret it."