Vixen

Like The Sea

Chapter Two
Location: Outside the Chicago Cultural Center

Clarke smiled brightly taking his place in front of the crowd with an enthusiastic wave. Waiting patiently for the cheering to quiet I watched his eyes skim across the crowd. He was observing his audience.

"It's great to be here! I hope none of you are too uncomfortable, Mr. Chateau are there water supplies? You never know how long one of these things will last," Clarke chuckled. The audience responded with laughter of their own.

"Of course, Sir, water is offered at the nearest exits and entrances." Mr.Chateau gestured for emphasis.

"Thank you. It's been some time since I've spoken  in front of such an adoring crowd. As many of you know politics require travel; for that I apologize, but as always, I am here to answer your burning questions. " Clarke leaned forward pressing his palms to the edges of the podium. "There is a microphone at the end of the center walkway, if you have a question please calmly make your way forward, and I will answer."

From my elevated stance the crowd rippled like a wave, different colored heads of hair moving about and shifting like sea foam.  A few individuals broke away from the sea of people, heading towards the microphone with the same urgency as a ship spotting a light house.  A middle aged man with weathered clothes and hunched shoulders lead the procession. He paused in front of the microphone, hands fidgeting with lips pressed into a thin line. He was hesitant, nervous. At last a shaky start.

"See, I'm not that wealthy, and my kids are part of a minority around here. They ain't being offered a fair academic chance. Mister Lyndon, your campaign promises academic help. How can you help us?" The man straightened his oversized jacket as if he were trying to save some of his dignity. He didn't have to, it was a respectable concern.

"Thank you for the question. What is your name sir?" Clarke asked.

"Name's Roy."

"Roy, thank you for the question. In my campaign I promise fair academic chances to all students. Not only here, but all of America in the future, and I want you to know I meant every word of that promise." Clarke's jaw set into a hard line, his posture straightened and his voice grew firm.  "From a young age kids can be handed success while others can have theirs stolen. Ability and talent are often mistaken... and it comes down to experience. Academic cut offs are responsible for this short falling. A child born in January has more ability than a child born in November. They simply have that advantage because they've been alive longer. That doesn't mean they have more talent, more intelligence, or better potential than any other child in America. I believe the education system should be broken down; so that children are not competing as a whole, but with students of the same ability level. Where a child born in November will not be labeled stupid in comparison to a child born in January."

"That makes sense... but how are you gonna make it happen?" Roy questioned.

"I will start with a small school, a control group. I want to make sure this solution works before converting the entire education system, that could become chaotic. If it goes well I would try another school, in another area, with different demographics and faculty. From there, should everything go as hoped, congress would be the next step. A slow process would be mandatory, careful integration a necessity. While the plan isn't perfect all ideas have room to grow and develop. I will fight for this idea, it's too important to give up on."  Roy smiled seeming pleased with the answer and shuffled back to his original place.

Clarke broke eye contact with the crowd for a moment and glanced in my direction. He seemed to be asking for confirmation, to see if he'd phrased his thoughts in a respectable way. At my small nod he smiled and turned back to the crowd.