Chapter 118 | Debate

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[Two weeks from the meeting between Ian and Christopher]

It was an unforgettable day for all the candidates fighting for the Senate seat.

During the hour they had talked about Christopher's campaign strategies and everything, Ian had discussions about how much he would need to finance. At first, Christopher didn't look very enthusiastic about Ian's idea, because his thoughts conflicted with Ian's unexpected disclosure.

But then, with how the conversation flowed, and how he knew he would *need* Ian's help with the election, he decided to be open and agree with the statement, "you'll help me whenever I need in the future for this./ This might turn into a mutually beneficial relationship."

Chugging down the bottle of water that kept him from being anxious on his big day before the elections, he had doubts about the deal he had made with Ian. And being the honest, nice guy he is, he had a sleepless night thinking about the various miserable situations he might get into in the future if there's going to be something against Ian.

"Are you daydreaming again?" His secretary asked.

His secretary was a short-lean guy and had proved his loyalty on multiple different occasions which made Christopher proud of the decision that he picked his secretary from many others who wanted the job.

"Ah, can't help but think of Ian. The young guy is too smart for his own good."

"What do you mean? From what I heard, he is nice and friendly."

"Well yeah, I couldn't agree more with it. But, he knows his boundaries, he knows his limits. He is not the type to play around. If only I hadn't wanted the funds for my campaigns, I'd not let someone like Ian, who especially has connections with Goofy, help me."

"Wait, I'm confused," his assistant frowned and cracked his knuckles thinking about something else.

A few seconds passed by, and the secretary himself zoned out a bit. Christopher cleared his throat and raised his eyebrow to ask—what are you talking about? "You are not the type to let people help just because you're in a tough spot. Is there anything more to the story?" He asked.

Christopher smiled at his question. "What were you thinking about?"

"Meh, it doesn't matter. The last time something like this happened—I don't even want to remember it."

"Hmm… I know what you're talking about. And to answer the question of why—I genuinely like that guy. I have not seen many people who are like him. From the way, he talks to the way he points out facts directly. Although I'm a bit worried about what I might have to pay back with, I think it'll be fine," he said, trying to make his assistant feel better, and so was his mind.

When it summed up the funds, legally, an independent donor could only fund around $10,000. After a while of discussing how much money they would need, they concluded that Ian needed to circumvent the law and go for indirect funding. For that, his plans of clever accounting and financing would play the role.

Anyway, right after the discussion about the whole 'fund-me-get-power' deal, Ian made donations so that the campaigns could proceed without any problem.

"It's your time to get on the stage…. You got this," his assistant cheered him up with a gentle tap on the shoulder.

Christopher nodded and walked up to the stage.

Currently, they are at the University of California, California.

The main theater was decorated, prepared, and looking all good for the debate that was being held by a combination of different media channels.

Since the election was the utmost important thing that was going to be in the state for some more time, this debate is almost like an interaction with the public through a screen.

"Today's debate is being made possible by the following organizations: Mediacroc Foundation, RN George Foundation, Semi-City Foundation, Board Body Organisation, and Central Height Foundation. Hello, on the behalf of the California debate commission, welcome to 'Voters Who?', 2022 California US primary debate. I am Karen Mary, head of the California Public Radio and Television State House News Bureau.

We are coming to you live from the W.S. Paul cultural and performing arts center on the campus of the University of California. Joining me on stage are the contenders hoping to fill the seat left vacant by retiring US senator Aldo De Silva, the candidates facing off in the primary election are, Mike Stanford, J.F. Moor, Rick Rogers, Christopher Greyson, and F. U. Mayden. Thank you all for joining us."

A round of applause erupted through the crowd. She was standing on the podium, and there was too much focus on her.

With the lights, cameras, and everything else, the temperature decrease which was due to the tension was easily noticeable.

"The participants were selected according to the guidelines of the California debate commission, a coalition of State News Organisation, Universities, and Civic groups whose mission is to create better debates for better elections. The format and rules for this debate were agreed to by all of the candidates.

The participants will have thirty seconds for opening remarks and then questioning will begin. You will each have 90 seconds to answer followed by 30 seconds rebuttal at my discretion. Not every candidate will answer every question.

Questions for today's debate come from residents around the state, who submitted them to the California debate commission, and from the news that come up in recent days. We remind all the audience here to mute your phones and refrain from applause, making noise, or attempting to participate in or influence the debate. No photography or recording is allowed…."

Thus, the debate started.

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At a certain home, in California.

"I can't believe Christopher is participating in the elections. I mean, I don't think he can take charge of an entire state considering he is a youngster."

"Ah, don't say that now. He does lots of good shit to people often. If you think about and compare the other candidates to him, what the hell do others even present? As for Mayden, this is her first time—I don't think she has enough experience nor skills, or talent. Rick Rogers is talking about his grandkids—We need someone who thinks about the present rather than the future or past because there are too many things to be addressed. Moor and Mike, are butt-licking every powerful person in California. In my eyes, Christopher is most likely the only person who could do something fair and good to our state."

"Who are we to judge?"

"Why shouldn't we judge? Sis, you are always biased towards anyone except Christopher. And I really hope he wins this election. Even his debate points were good, thought and well-planned, and yeah… How would you know? You literally went out of the house saying you can't listen to them?"

"Meh, today the poll numbers for the candidates would be shown. They are mostly based on the debate points and stuff, but they also compare the poll numbers from last month's debate."

"There'd be one more debate next week before the election, and that wouldn't be as dense as today's one. Oh wait, there's the re-"

".....The last time when we took a look at the latest polls, it was shown to be these numbers were distributed among the candidates who would be facing the election.

Mike Stanford.......25%

J.F. Moor.........36%

Rick Rogers.......23%

Christopher Greyson.....13%

F.U. Mayden...…3%

And these statistics were highly celebrated by every voter considering, that the majority of the Senate resident general voted for J.F. Moor. Talking about this month's polls, it looks like the fight for the position is in a warm game of candidates."

As soon as the reporter said that, both the male and female in the house gasped at how drastically the numbers had changed.

Mike Stanford.......25%

J.F. Moor.........4%

Rick Rogers.......23%

Christopher Greyson.....43%

F.U. Mayden...…3%

"Fuck! I told you Greyson would do it! Sis, look at that! My vote this time wouldn't be for some sort of a power-hungry greedy old mother-"

"Don't complete that sentence. And let's see… If his campaigns keep continuing like how it was for the last few days, I'm sure Moor, Mayden, and Mike would literally go home with 0 votes."

"So, do you agree that Greyson can do something for the state?!"

"Yeah, of course. The only reason I said he wouldn't make it is how he had had so many setbacks with other people in power. Now, this looks very interesting, and there must have changed! Hmm…" The elder sister frowned at the numbers.

She had been working for the government, as a secretary for another politician for five years, and the political talks around the house had been ongoing in the house ever since the campaigns had been going for the Senator position.

Looking at the poll numbers, there was a gut feeling that something must really have changed because those numbers meant a lot of things.

Once the news was completed, tabloid coverage from the same news channel came up. Both the siblings looked up from their phones.

".... In Hollywood news, Rumours suggest, that Renner Studios' latest entree into the Rom-Com genre, Crazy, Stupid, Love, is about to finish filming. The discussions are ongoing considering this movie was completely exposed to the public out of the blue. It has also been confirmed that the trailer for the movie would be released within two weeks."

"What?!" Both of them said in sync.

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"Ladies and gentlemen, Captain TC, has finally turned on the 'Vote with PowerStone' sign.

If you haven't already done so, please click that 'vote' thing on your screen. Also, make sure to put your seatbelt in so that you'll get the next update as a notification in your screen panel.

If you are seated next to an emergency exit, and on the verge of shutting your phone off, just know that the director (Ian) you have been following for months, is now about to take a flight to reach the crown of Hollywood.

We remind you that this is a non-smoking flight. Smoking is prohibited on the entire aircraft, including the lavatories. Tampering with, disabling or destroying the lavatory smoke detectors is prohibited by law.

If you have any questions about our flight today, please don't hesitate to ask the author, since she is more than ready to answer all of them.

Thank you!"

[Final system notification before take-off: Join the discord server, so that the landing might be easy with no bumpy phase; https://discord.gg/DGPX5QzRqv]