(Untitled)

[legendarymadman]

Somehow Geoffrey figured this duty would fall on him sooner or later, and now three different elements had converged to make it his turn: he was on the Council, he wasn't running in this election, and he was, in fact, master of this stage

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[jdick]

Joe couldn't have said what prompted him to run for Council again, not after taking time off, but there he was, back on the fucking stage to give another speech. Part of him almost didn't want to do it. He wondered what would happen if he just wrote it off completely and assumed people would know him, but in the end he was there

[curiously_cora]

"Hello Mister Dick, my name is Coraline Jones. First item of the agenda is that you're not allowed to swear. I mean if I'm not allowed to swear then you're not either," Coraline said making a pointed finger at him and wagging it at him with a very serious face. "And secondly, if you were re-elected what would you do for the children on the island? A place to go is nice and very practical." And boring. "But what else?"

[jdick]

Joe wasn't about to argue whether or not he could fucking swear, so he just arched an eyebrow and listened to the question. "Education, which we already do in a way, but not a practical way," he answered, because math wasn't gonna be of much use on this rock. "Adoption services might be good to have around just in case. A list of people who can take care of someone if they need it, even temporarily."

[curiously_cora]

'Really, really boring stuff.' Coraline wrote down in her notebook.

"What type of way? Like Exploring or Brownies, that sort of thing?" Coraline asked curiously. "What about fun things? Like swimming lessons or diving lessons for the older children. Or a fun fair. I mean a park is nice for babies but I'm eleven and a bit now and some of the children are even older than I am."

[captainjack]

Jack hadn't done this for a long time, and he hadn't taken it very seriously before. This time he had been here longer, had weathered some really difficult times, and had grown up. A little. Maybe a lot. At the very least he thought of this place as home now. The last time he'd been nominated, he'd been sure he'd vanish. This time, he was two years older, a hell of a lot wiser, and he had the comfort of knowing that he had the Doctor's approval

[curiously_cora]

"Hi Captain Jack!" Coraline said cheerily waving happily to the much taller and handsome man. "What sort of things in particular would you like to do? How would you help the children of the island?"

[captainjack]

"Hi, Coraline," Jack replied warmly. "What I'd like to do is work with the rest of the council to keep everyone safe and as comfortable as possible. People do a good job doing their day to day thing and I don't think we need rules and regulations, but we've also gotta be ready for those things that we really can't expect. The island does it's thing, but we get people here who have to be dealt with. People who don't take advantage of the fresh start they could have. Y'know?

As for the kids...less candy and more schoolwork," he grinned and winked at her. "Really, though. I'd kind of like to see someone who is a child step up and organize things that the younger population would like and have the council back their efforts. I'm most familiar with the babies and they don't seem to have much of an agenda. What would you like for the children of the island?"

[curiously_cora]

"Yes I know, I don't think if the Other Mother came here that she'd be all about playing with kittens and making cake. She'd be more likely to kidnap adults and try to kill children," Coraline said seriously. She thought his idea for more rules about that was a big idea that needed sorting out. "A funfair. Not all the time, maybe open once a week or once a month that the children could enjoy."

Coraline paused thinking about the other things that she wanted. "Swimming lessons for the little ones and those who don't know how to swim. Diving lessons or sailing lessons for the older children. A homework club. And more responsibility."

[fourforone]

Speaking in front of big crowds like this feels natural and for a second, I almost feel like I ought to have a sand table in front of me and a board behind me announcing the name of our mission. So maybe it's not Operation Overlord or Market Garden, but it's just as important. I'd always figured, back home, that I'd wind up serving my country and community and if I can't get back there, I don't want to let this one see poor days, either.

"Afternoon, all," I begin easily with a smile. "For those of you not playing in the baseball league and if you aren't, join us," I take a moment to entreat. "Well, for those of you who don't know, I'm Lieutenant Buck Compton of Easy Company. Many fine friends of mine were kind enough to sign a petition so I could speak here today and have a fair shot at running and I'm endlessly grateful to them for that chance. I'm not going to stand here and give you some rigid platform because the truth is, just from what I've seen, this place seems mutable as anything, so what I will do is give you a look at my

[curiously_cora]

Coraline thought it was very easy to tell Buck and her daddy apart. Besides the whole age difference it was much easier because Buck talked a whole lot and Cain rarely ever did. Somedays she was lucky to get a 'Behave kid' from Cain. Where as Buck seemed to be able to talk and talk and talk. Well much more then Cain at any rate.

"Hi Buck," Coraline said waving cheerily to him. "If you were elected what would you do for the children of the island?"

[fourforone]

"Well, a devoted Little League would be a first step," I reply easily as I unleash my most charming grin in Coraline's direction. "That one's been on my mind a while, now. I'd like to see a tightening up of school subjects with some mandatories. Doesn't mean they have to be boring, but it's good for every kid to learn math and lit," I say, more seriously now and I get a flash of Webster somewhere in my head, going on with those useless facts of his. "But I think what we need to do most is just respect the children and make sure they're being raised into fine adults because you, them, all of you kids are bound to be our next great generation."

[curiously_cora]

"But I like playing with the Grown Ups and I'm really good." Coraline said not really liking the idea of a little league that would mean that she'd have to play with the babies. Mandatory lessons also sounded boring. She made a face that said her exact thoughts on the subject. "Won't be as great as you or Joe or Mister Nixon, you're heroes. Thank you for answering my questions."

[jill_langston]

"Hi, everyone," Jill said as she got up onto the stage, offering a smile. It hadn't been that long since she'd delivered her last speech and she felt relaxed and comfortable with this one. "For those of you who don't know me, I'm Jill Langston. I work in the lab here on the island and worked at a place called NorBAC before I arrived here. First and foremost, I'm a virologist, but I've also been a teacher and now I'm interested in becoming part of the island Council

[curiously_cora]

"Hi Miss Langston, I'm Coraline Jones and I'm going to ask you some questions." Coraline said introducing herself with a friendly smile and a small wave at her. "What would you do for the children on the island?"

[jill_langston]

Jill had never been particularly great with kids, but having a niece back home helped at least a little bit. Trying to remember what Diane's daughter liked to do, she said, "Well, I know we have the school, but I imagine more recreational activities would be a good place to start. We have sports teams for adults, but not the children."

[curiously_cora]

"I'm on the football team and the baseball team, I think the Grown Ups are more concerned about that then I am." Coraline said with a grin. "I'd like to see more activities though like swimming lessons and a homework club, maybe an explorers club too. And Work Days, you know when people could shadow the Grown Ups doing what they do best."

[patriotqueen]

Guy stood up on the familiar and uneven podium and started without much delay with the first thing that came to mind

[dogbitesman]

"Mr Burgess," William said, "are you implying that you don't think previous councils have been spending enough time working on, as you put it, damage control?"

[patriotqueen]

"I'm saying the worst case scenario isn't taken into account - both regarding the island, which we can't control and our own ideas, which I should hope we can.

What I propose to be in the collecitve of Council members, is its voice. Hoping thus, to create a more effective Council; damage control."

[curiously_cora]

Coraline narrowed her eyes at Mr de Worde, her sworn enemy when it came to election time. Turning her curious gaze to Guy, Coraline smiled eagerly and waved at him.

"Hullo Mr Guy," Coraline said, taking out her notebook to make notes. "As an elected member of the council what would you do for the children on the island?"