Storm Chaser // JJ Maybank

68

The town hall is packed with Pogues and Kooks. It's standing room only and I'm beyond nervous. This whole zoning thing could ruin everything my friends and I have worked for.

"Before we move on with the rest of our agenda, I want to remind everyone to maintain civility and decorum throughout the rest of these proceedings. We're one island. Why don't we all try to act like it?"

"Sure we are," John B remarks.

"Any disruption will warrant expulsion and potential charges. Understood? Without further ado, we'll go on to the reports of our Council Members, starting with our Council Member Lawrence."

"Thank you, Mr. Mayor," Lawrence says. "Agenda 8A, ordinance 31, zoning for property located at the end of Roger's Point Road. Uh, Mr. Mayor, we have a resolution from the town of Pelican expressing support for the rezoning of multi-use land on the east side of the island, including the aforementioned Roger's Point Road property."

"Wait. Did he just say they already had a resolution?" Pope asks.

"The council is voting to recommend allocating the amount of $60,000 to begin to transition that said property..." Lawrence continues.

"How are they already voting?" Kie asks.

"...and rezoning request, and with that I turn it over to Council Member Chet," Lawrence says.

"I'd like to say, uh, we are lucky to have the help of Mr. Zeasy, who has been active with developing the island and has been a resource for us," Chet says. "Thank you."

"I appreciate that, Chet," Zeasy tells him. "Thank you."

"I bet you wish we had a lawyer now," Pope remarks.

"No. I wish I had a fish bat, more like," JJ tells him.

"Before we move on, we are scheduled to hear from some members of the community, beginning with a representative from the occupants of the Roger's Point property, which used to be the Maybank property," the mayor states.

"Anybody feeling brave?" Kie asks.

JJ starts to stand up. "I am. I got this."

I pull him back down. "Not a chance."

"Hey, no, no. Sit down, okay?" Pope tells JJ.

"Not me, then," JJ remarks.

"All right. Somebody else has to go up," Pope insists.

"Then who?" Sarah asks.

"Not it," I tell them. "Pope."

Pope shakes his head. "No, no way. I hate public speaking."

"John B," Kie offers.

"You got it, John B," Pope assures.

"Me?" John B asks. He nods his head. "I got this."

John B raises his hand and all the Pogues clap.

"John Booker Routledge," the mayor states.

"You've got this, John B."

"Quiet, please," the mayor requests.

"All right! Go, John B!"

"Preach it, brother J!"

"Go, John B!"

John B steps up to the podium.

"Please state your name for the record," the mayor instructs him.

"I am John Booker Routledge," John B states.

"Damn right," JJ shouts.

"That's it. That's right!"