“Do you know what isn’t right? Telling businesses that have stood the test of time that they are no longer viable in the march of progress. Killing thriving local storefronts to be able to accommodate an outside industry that has never been a part of our community before. How many good jobs do we have to lose for this new company to come in and provide jobs for the community that aren’t as good? How many Foggy Basin owners have to have their history stripped away for another industry that is unknown to the people of Foggy Basin?”
“These gentlemen do not know us. They are not a part of us in any way. What do they see? More money for them in their large big city building. Where is the desire to keep Foggy Basin weird and to keep the money and jobs within the small business community? How many restaurants will the complex have? Ifyou look at their other resorts – each of them have the same four restaurants inside. What else does the resort have? About seven other stores on their properties would ensure that any tourism that came into our towns would barely ever bleed into the city itself. These resorts are like small towns all on their own. We may need tourism, mayor, but I am afraid that what they bring isn’t tourism – it’s the death of the businesses inside the town.”
The mayor held up his hand, and I paused. “Finally…” he sighed.
“I’m sorry?” I was completely confused.
“You’re not wrong.” Ben’s voice said firmly behind me. I turned to find him walking down the aisle. “You’ve never been wrong.”
“Ben, what are you…”
“Mister Fitzgerald, we wondered when you were going to join us.” One of the men stood up and held out his hand to Ben, who stared at it. We’ve saved you a seat.” He looked at Ben with distaste.
Ben smiled back at him. “I’m afraid I am no longer on track to become a partner, Richard. HR has been given my resignation about three hours ago.”
“I’m sorry, but what is going on.”
“My name is Ben Fitzgerald and I am from Foggy Basin. Up until a few hours ago, I worked for the organization that is trying to build a resort in our town.Ourtown,” he glanced at me. “But after speaking to the mayor, he offered me a job that I could not turn down. I now work for the city of Foggy Basin, Richard.”
“Do you have anything else to add, Percy?” Mayor Nelson asked kindly. He now looked a lot calmer.
“I just… uh…”
“Why don’t you let us take it from here? I have this, Percy. Trust me,” he said firmly.
I did, and maybe I was a fool. But the way he stormed in here like he was riding a white fucking horse had taken my breath away, once again. I stepped away from the microphone and Ben grabbed my hand and kept me by his side.
“We’re all good mayor.” Ben said.
“What is going on here!” Richard Boyd demanded and the mayor slowly stood back up.
“I am afraid that we have had some changes to our plans, Mister Boyd. After further investigation – which I am sad to say this council did not do enough of – we have decided to terminate the offer to Boyd, Hollman and Brooke for the leasing of city land to build a resort. The studies have shown that your resorts are not good for the community's health.”
“What are you talking about?” Richard turned and spat angrily.
“We were given numbers from your organization that seem to be fairly fraudulent when compared to the numbers given to me by the smaller towns where you have built your other resorts. Did you know that only forty percent of those towns have had their financial numbers increase, Mister Boyd? Those are drastic differences from the forecast that you presented to us.”
“Where di you get those numbers? If Mister Fitzgerald, who is fired, by the way, gave those to you, he would be in breach of contract with the firm.”
“Ben did nothing of the kind. Those numbers came from the other city councils and mayors that I personally contacted.”
“I did already quit, by the way,” Ben chuckled. I think he was enjoying this more than I would have thought.
“This is ridiculous. What we provide cannot be quantified by the economy of the town. Small businesses open and close all the time. It’s not a steady…”
“Sixty percent of those towns saw a decrease in money coming into the town shortly after the resorts opened.Businesses began to fail. It’s one of the reasons that we have ordinances in this town to keep out big box stores. Once we looked at the rates of business failure in these other towns, we’re afraid that our ordinance would not allow you to conduct business here.”
“This is ridiculous.” Mister Boyd looked furious.
“Have you done it, Bobby?” Mayor Nelson asked his assistant.
“Yes, sir. It has been sent.” We have just denied your permits and sent a letter to your lawyers saying that we will not continue with the negotiation of your contracts, which have never been signed.
“You have no idea what it is you are doing.”
“Oh, I think I do. The meeting is adjourned unless you have anything else to say, Percy?”
“Meeting adjourned,” I squeaked, feeling like I was flying.
