In (city, state), almost thirty people gathered- most on their lunch break- to watch (firstname Jeffries') inauguration as the first neighborhood mayor of the (clustery NY village). It was warm, one of the first days of the year when cold weather is not even near the forecast and people are optimistic about the spring and summer seasons, their plans, yards. This optimism brought about a carefree curiosity that would compel someone to give up a day's lunch break to watch the culmination of what most considered joke, one they supported in the spirit of winter cynicism: (Jeffries) felt that (neighborhood) needed a leader, direction, and (neighborhood's) residents knew they needed something to lift their spirits. (Jeffries) defeated (losers) in a landslide victory, and so the residents of (neighborhood), out of a sense of duty and pity- they brought this upon themselves, after all, and (Jeffries) was very excited about the appointment- met that Thursday to celebrate (Jeffries') new position, and what they hoped would be the end of a month-long neighborhood joke that all had felt had gone on too long.
Jefferies stood tall atop the wooden playground, dressed in a pink button-down shirt tucked into khakis, a blue ribbon pinned to his shirt pocket. Residents stood in the previous year's mulch at the base of the wooden construct. Jefferies checked his watch, took a drink from his water bottle, and, as soon as their was a lull in sliding board activity from the children who only attended school for half-days, signaled for the crowd's attention.
"Hi everyone. I want to thank you for your time, and I want to thank you for your vote. I would specifically like to thank (opponent) for being such a fine and worthy opponent, and I think he deserves a hand. Can we do that?" So everyone clapped, and (opponent), standing against the back fence of the park, inched forward, and he clapped too. "Neighborhood revitalization is not just about property. It is not just about the houses, the trees, parks like this. No...it is about the people. You. Us. I am a man with a dream of change. We have a respectable neighborhood. We are friendly with one another. But things can be better. Let's beautify our lives, our social skills. Our pets. Our gardens. Our porches. Our meals! Ourselves!!! Let's PAINT OUR FENCES!," and with that, Jeffries brandished from his back pocket a large paintbrush, pounded his free fist on the wooden railing behind from which he spoke, and spent several seconds in silence before his audience realized he had nothing more to say and began clapping. And with that, the residents of (neighborhood) went to work- and so did Mayor Jeffries.
Jefferies stood tall atop the wooden playground, dressed in a pink button-down shirt tucked into khakis, a blue ribbon pinned to his shirt pocket. Residents stood in the previous year's mulch at the base of the wooden construct. Jefferies checked his watch, took a drink from his water bottle, and, as soon as their was a lull in sliding board activity from the children who only attended school for half-days, signaled for the crowd's attention.
"Hi everyone. I want to thank you for your time, and I want to thank you for your vote. I would specifically like to thank (opponent) for being such a fine and worthy opponent, and I think he deserves a hand. Can we do that?" So everyone clapped, and (opponent), standing against the back fence of the park, inched forward, and he clapped too. "Neighborhood revitalization is not just about property. It is not just about the houses, the trees, parks like this. No...it is about the people. You. Us. I am a man with a dream of change. We have a respectable neighborhood. We are friendly with one another. But things can be better. Let's beautify our lives, our social skills. Our pets. Our gardens. Our porches. Our meals! Ourselves!!! Let's PAINT OUR FENCES!," and with that, Jeffries brandished from his back pocket a large paintbrush, pounded his free fist on the wooden railing behind from which he spoke, and spent several seconds in silence before his audience realized he had nothing more to say and began clapping. And with that, the residents of (neighborhood) went to work- and so did Mayor Jeffries.
