Uncertainty - Stanford Pines x Reader (female)

Chapter 10

It was election day, and the entire Pines family gathered at the diner, anticipation hanging heavy in the air. As Stan entered the diner, a wave of compliments and congratulations washed over him.

"Lookin' good, mayor candidate!", shouted Blubs.
"Hooey! It's the guy I'm gonna vote for!", said a man in the corner.
Stan beamed, soaking up the praise.

The patrons inside the diner cheered in unison. "Stan!"
Stan pointed to the women. "Now just the ladies!"
The women in the diner responded, "Stan!"
Stan grinned and then gestured to a more specific group. "Now just the ladies my age!"
An old lady stood up, proudly. "Stan!"
Stan laughed. "Woof! Never mind." He joined Dipper, me and Mabel, at a table.

I raised an eyebrow. "Well, looks like someone's head is inflated by the constant praise."
Stan shrugged, a smug grin on his face. "What can I say? The people know a winner when they see one."

Mabel eyed him suspiciously. "Grunkle Stan, what's with the outfit? You're missing your lucky tie."
Dipper insisted too, "Power tie, gotta wear it."
Stan waved it off. "Come on, have you seen the polls? I could debate naked and I'd still win! Huh, come to think of it..."
Dipper and I shared a horrified look, both of us quickly shut down the idea. "No, no, no, no!", we said in unison.

Mabel laughed nervously. "Seriously though, we need you to wear that suit and tie, Grunkle Stan."
Dipper echoed, "Suit and tie, gotta wear it."

Dipper and Mabel continued to plead with Stan, listing reasons to do so. I quietly sipped my coffee, staying out of the debate. It wasn't worth arguing with Stan when he was this set in his ways.

Stan suddenly slammed his fist on the table. "Ugh! Why do you kids have to constantly tell me what to do? Everyone in this town is finally showing me respect! Maybe you kids should too."
I choked on my coffee, swallowing with a cough. "Respect, huh? Is that what you call it when people are charmed by your ego and not your actual policies?"
Stan glowered at me, his ego challenged. "Hey, my policies are solid! I got plenty of good ideas for this town!"
Dipper retorted, "Like what? Turning the library into a casino?"
I added, "Or using the town tax money to buy a gold statue of yourself?"

Mabel shot me a pleading look, trying to stop the argument from escalating. I sighed, realizing she was probably right. I took a deep breath before speaking again.
"Look, Stan, we're just trying to help. Wearing that suit and tie today is part of playing the part. You know, politician image and all that."

Stan grumbled. "Why should I listen to you kids? None of you ever really respect me or my decisions."
Mabel interjected, trying to smooth things over. "But Grunkle Stan, we do respect you! We just-"
Dipper chimed back in, "Grunkle Stan, we'd respect you if you took things more seriously!"

Stan, anger rising, slammed his fist again. "I am taking this seriously! If you haven't noticed, everything that has come out of this golden mouth has put us on top! With or without your dumb advice!"

Dipper stood up, fists clenched. "Dumb advice?!"
Stan did too, seething. "Yeah! Dumb advice."
Mabel's eyes darted between the two, worried about the escalating situation. I placed a hand on Dipper's arm, silently signaling to remain calm.

Dipper shook off my hand, still glaring at Stan. "This isn't just dumb advice. We're trying to help you win the election, not make a fool out of yourself!"
Stan, red-faced, shouted back. "I'm the one with the winning ideas here! You kids don't know a thing about what it takes to win an election!"

Dipper slammed his fists on the table as well. "Dang it, Stan! Every one of those speeches we were controlling you!"
Mabel gasped. "Dipper!"
I facepalmed, realizing Dipper had just spilled the secret.