An Attic filled with Birds [Completed]

20. The notebook

Felix
'So what is the thought behind your campaign this time?' the interviewer asks.

Like it isn't the clearest thing in the world. The campaign is bad enough, but they give him time on national television to ask him about it, too?

'Well,' Bailey starts. 'I was simply thinking outside the box. But when you really think about it, it isn't really outside the box, is it?'

'What do you mean?'

The cameraman shortly focused on her, then back to Bailey.

'Well, the tragedy from 250 years ago... its remains are still with us.'

'Could you elaborate on that?'

'Of course. Let me give you some examples.'

He goes of listing examples of the consequences of the barrier disappearing. The basic stuff.

I look behind me when I hear the door of the room open. Nora and Damien walk in with two grocery bags.

'You're back,' I say.

'We are,' Damien responds. 'With stuff.'

'I can see that. Can I help putting things away?'

'No, we're fine,' Nora says. 'What're you watching?'

'I turned on the news. They're interviewing Bailey on his new campaign.'

'Oh.'

She looks at me. Damien takes the bag from her hand.

'I'm sorry,' she says.

'Why?' I ask. 'You weren't involved in the making of it, were you?'

'No, of course not. It's just... I don't know. I feel bad.'

'Don't.'

She turns back to focus on Damien. They unpack the bags and organize the relatively small hotel room cabinets. I turn back to the TV.

'And those are only a few of the horrible things. I could go on for days, but I was told we have a limited time,' Bailey laughs.

I hate his laugh. The interviewer's too.

'You don't think it's a little harsh?'

'What is?'

'The campaign?'

'No.'

Asshole.

'But doesn't it paint the royal family in a bad light?'

'That's not because of me, though. I'm simply stating facts. And the fact is, they haven't done anything to help the lower half of the country.'

'On another note, is it true the king has tried to bribe you to step down from politics?'

'Perhaps. What's it to you? If anything, it would be a compliment for me, and a show of weakness for him, wouldn't it?'

The interviewer clearly didn't expect that answer. I was taken a bit aback too. Only a little, though. Let's not give him more credit than he deserves.

She laughs faintly, and moves on.

'Campaign season has just started,' she says. 'Do you already have plans for next season? Will you still be active in politics by then?'

Or has the bribe succeeded I fill in after her question.

'Obviously I'm still actively campaigning in this season,' he says. 'But yes, we're already brainstorming for next season.'

'Could you give us some key things or concepts that had come up?'

'I could, but I won't. A magician never reveals their secrets.'

The interviewer laughs.

'Well said,' she says.

Suck-up.

'We have however, already written some stuff down that will most likely make the cut. It's in my famous leather notebook I'm sure you and the viewers have seen multiple times.'

It's indeed a famous one. He seems to be carrying it around everywhere he goes. It's become his trademark. I'm surprised he doesn't pull it out from somewhere right then and there.

'We'll keep an eye on it,' the interviewer promises.

'You do that.'

The camera focuses on her, and she ends the interview by summarizing some key points.

Nora sits down next to me on the couch. She hands me a glass of water and a piece of chocolate.

'To celebrate our achievements up until now.'

'Thanks.'

Damien joins us on the couch, and we make a toast.

'To a future with even more achievements,' he says.

We clink our glasses and eat the chocolate.

❖

Finn
Father gave me Bailey's letter right after he read it. He told me to draft a response. He told me. I have to respond to something written for him in his name. I'm not going to lie, the letter makes me a little uncomfortable.

It feels like I shouldn't be reading it. It feels wrong. On top of that, I have no idea how to respond to it. If this is what being king is, I don't think I want to continue the course I'm following.

Perhaps Felix would be interested in the job.