Poetry in Motion

20

"Hello, and good evening, with me tonight is the Mayor we never asked for, but the one we're going to get, Thomas Wayne. Now, Mr Wayne, how exactly do you propose to change or tackle the current economic crisis which is wracking this city?"

"Erm, well, I haven't actually put much thought into it. To be honest, I've been too busy travelling around the city trying to get people to care about this election. But really, those which you are mainly speaking about, I've avoided like the plague."

"Ah, yes, you can't have them possibly saying something to tarnish your good name, can you?"

Arthur couldn't continue, he let out a series of laughs and looked too Imelda. The news was on, usually nothing good came from watching GCN, but tonight they were lucky; Thomas Wayne was having yet another interview. Imelda had darted to mute the television; she turned the volume down much to Arthur's confusion. She then had started pretending to say what she really thought the reporter should be saying. Arthur had giggled admittedly; it was a childish game which he was more than happy to go along with.

Imelda just continued to lay slouched on the sofa, her feet resting against the coffee table. She grinned his way, Arthur coughed quietly and pushed a hand through his hair. "If it wasn't such a good cake, I'd throw it at him for good measure." Imelda said, referring to her birthday cake the pair had recently had slices from. Arthur's eyes widened before he shook his head, putting a hand over his mouth. "Or eggs?" He just put his hands over his face at that. The worst part was, he wouldn't put it past her to do that. She seemed to have animosity for the man, as much as Arthur was keeping bottled up too.

Inhaling deeply, he fidgeted to sit up straight and just watched her cut another slice of cake for herself. Not having really ate all day, the slice she gave to Arthur came and went. She had laughed saying he more inhaled that then ate it. "Do you keep up to date with this?" He asked seriously, Arthur was curious. He wasn't politically minded, in fact he barely paid attention to it. He was curious whether Imelda was the same.

"You know what? Once upon a time yes, I would pay attention. Now? No. Unfortunately, I have to say, people like him have no clue what people like us need, or want. Sometimes you can't just throw money at a problem, and hope it fixes it. Look, our homes are pretty shit. I love my apartment and all, but it's got damp, the windows let heat out and cold in, and the rent is ridiculous for what it is. How about do something useful? Throw money towards affordable housing. And I mean this for the whole city. Not all of us are tycoons, billionaires who have a false sense of what they think everyone needs."

Arthur listened to Imelda; she waved her hand in the air thoughtfully. He frowned slowly, she had a point really. Imelda finished her ramble with a heartfelt sigh. Noticing the silence she looked slowly at Arthur, she awkwardly smiled. "The rich will only ever look out for their own. We aren't on the radar. We'll get empty promises that won't be fulfilled and we'd be expected to just accept it. Because this is our lives. We've got this far like this, surely, we can continue until the end the same way?" Arthur said, his tone rather blank as he just stared at her. It was something which he believed wholeheartedly. But where or what could change that? He didn't know. Until then, nothing would change.

"I refuse to believe that change is impossible." Imelda said, shifting positions and crossing her legs. She turned on the sofa and faced him while Arthur just rested his arm along the back of the sofa.

He just smiled at her, a rather naive thing he had to admit but he just smiled nonetheless. "That's because you're an optimist." Arthur said while resting his head against his fist as his other hand just rested in his lap.

"For someone who spends their job making others laugh, and feel enthusiastic and optimistic, you're the complete opposite."

"Have you seen my life?" Arthur stifled out through an awkward laugh.