OUT OF OFFICE

By Ben Greenman

from forthcoming collection, as yet untitled

The defeat in last week’s mayoral election by the incumbent, Lawrence Rucker, is an annoying incident, because many of us supported him initially, and our reputation is involved in proving, by means of public statement, in the press, as well as through any other means and channels, that no imputations or calumny on our part contributed to his loss. We wish to replace that idea with another, which is that Rucker himself was the author of his own demise, and that moreover this was an intentional act intended to remove him from public office so that he could once again return to private business. None of us, it should be abundantly clear, supported the winning candidate, Elena Lenz. Lenz holds views that are in diametric opposition to our own. It is certain to anyone who follows local politics that Lenz would have been soundly defeated had Rucker not chosen financial gain over civic responsibility. A final note comes courtesy of Bradley Pollard, an early and steadfast supporter of the Rucker campaign, who had occasion to visit the Rucker house late at night, after election returns were reported, a winner was declared, Lenz had made her victory speech and Rucker had conceded. “I was dropping by to offer my condolences,” Pollard has said. “I wasn’t going to go in but I saw that the lights were on. Then I saw Phil standing in the middle of his living room, dancing like nobody’s ever danced. When I took a few steps closer, I could hear what I can only describe as jubilant music. Every few minutes, he would throw back his head and howl and pump his fists.” Mr. Rucker’s construction company immediately announced a number of new contracts for the coming year.