Quoted By:
Somewhere in Shady Sands.
You are Senator Armstrong and you’re regretting your career choice right now.
What once was a life of flirting with secretaries, taking bribes and stiff drinks at lunch have now turned into you sitting at the center of the storm that has become this election.
When you were brought into the Bear Den, you were all too eager to rub shoulders with President Kimball. You thought it would be a good name to drop when speaking to donors and the Brahmin Barons. You thought you could use your newfound connections to funnel some money for your retirement fund.
But in your naivety, you underestimated the machinations of those desperately wanting to cling to power. You made a deal with Allgood and Hanlon in a desperate bid to save your own skin, but it meant becoming a rat and feeding information to the opposition.
And now you’re here, in Kimball’s office on election night as the results trickle in.
Vice President Cobel is present, as is General Moore and a gaggle of senior campaign staff and official NCR support staff. The previous campaign director suffered a mysterious death as rumors of his betrayal spread throughout Kimball’s circle. He wasn’t the only one to suffer a similar fate, but the leak was never traced back to you.
Kimball: When will we get the final results?
All eyes turn towards Bernard Fundle, the preeminent NCR electoral expert money could buy. He pushes his glasses further up his nose.
Fundle: The last ballot boxes arrived in Shady Sands this morning, so any time. It may be slightly delayed, this is the biggest election in NCR history.
That does little to assuage Kimball’s fears.
Moore: And the ballot caravans were well protected, especially those coming from The Boneyard. Hanlon managed to find enough militia to provide extra protection as they made their way North.
Kimball: Then the die is cast. Alright people, we did our jobs. Let’s see if the New Californian people are smart enough to agree…
*This is Dick Decker, and we have the first electoral results of this historic election.*
The radio comes alive and even Aaron Kimball stops what he’s saying to tune in.
*For the state of The Boneyard, President Aaron Kimball has received 16,567 votes while Mayor Allgood Murphy has received 82,160 votes. Allgood Murphy has won the State of The Boneyard and its 42 electoral votes. This was expected but still a strong start for the longshot mayor.*
The energy is sucked out of the room.
[This was expected, and it’s better to get the bad news out of the way first.]
Kimball: Armstrong’s right. It’s going to be a long night otherwise.
The evening resumes as the alcohol flows freely. You nurse a cognac as it’s watered down by the ice, cautious to not let the liquor loosen your lips.
