Tensions and Attentions

Chapter 2: The New York Harbor

The Queen sits on the higher decks of S.S Orion Flower overlooking the sunset of the Port of New York.

S.S. Orion Flower is on temporary leave from her duty as the global produce of oil decreased. From a chemical tanker, S.S. Orion was promoted to oil-tanker since the ship has been a special place for its Captain, Capt. Quinn Hampton.

Quinn is a capitalist, yes, but he prefers being called Captain and he prefer his role as a seafarer. He loves the unpredictability and hostility of the ocean, he loves knowing how to counter its force. His family is from Canada, and instead of crossing the border to US, his merchant ancestors chose to reach it by using the Atlantic Ocean and settle in the attractive harbor of Manhattan. The Canadian Goose, his family’s crest, is known for being the master of the waters and warrior of the skies. He guess he got his love for adventure and challenges from them.

However, he’s getting tired. This wasn’t a part of the plan.

This big… revenge fiasco that is extending as soon as new threats arise, and old threats reanimate… is getting bloodier. He’s got simpler dreams, but to be honest, he’s enjoying the ride a bit.

Especially if it means he can poke Franco in every time he can get.

Quinn was the one who woke Californian Politicians of Franco’s competence. It’s not really a hard job knowing half of Californian Legislatives had been assisted by Franco in once or twice in their lives. A genuine letter from Senator Heidi Clementine of California came to Governor Jacques Twain of New York saying Franco has a “strong feud with a Hampton” and that he would be useful for his position.
None of them were lies. Senator Heidi has been against the Hampton’s rule, and sending Franco has been of her full consciousness, but of course, he ignited Franco’s name in California that made him known.

At first, he thought Franco would not take the bait because the job is far lesser than being a Head Researcher (it’s just a fancy way of saying ‘somehow esteemed paralegal) in California’s strongest Law Firm.

It really surprised him when Franco really accepted the job offer which is twice cheaper than his current position. He can’t tell that he missed home. He’s from Brooklyn, a place with entirely different culture from Manhattan.

Quinn had hoped it would be because of him. Maybe his calculations were wrong. Franco told him the most upsetting strings of words that day, next to his economist who’s saying that USA is limiting its oil exports, rendering some of their lines to shut down. Franco really does have his way with words.

“I’ve been telling you, little brother, love is not worth it.” Said Julia from behind.

“I’m not loving, Jean. I’m just… entertaining myself.” Quinn reasoned, quite irritated.

*

Franco awkwardly sits on his Governor’s office, while this Governor dramatically faces the large over-looking window of the state house. Governor Jacques Twain has been put in position with the help of the Hamptons, with conditions such as letting them control New York. Madam Hampton, the elegant French-Canadian Shipping Empress, has overwhelming power and wants to keep it that way. Nowadays, she’s letting her son, an erratic heir, play along the shores of Manhattan and he’s not liking it.

“I was told of your hatred to the new Hampton heir.” Gov. Jacques started.

“Quinn is… a friend of a friend.” Franco explains.

“Friend?” Gov. Jacques explained.

“Well, he was until I punched his face.”

Governor laughed at that. There’s something about Franco’s air that he, and most of his people, likes. He has that sense of justice, following and acting on what he believes. His ideas are remarkable, always trying his best to compromise to both sides before doing the extremities of choosing one side. For him, there’s always a chance for the enemy to be pleased.

But maybe, not this fight.

He once witnessed Franco in those kinds of fights. Jacques was once in a passenger ship where a tall and loud Italian man with funny high-pitched voice was fighting a bunch of sea farers. The sea farers were talking shit about a small and scrawny blonde sea farer. Franco, the tall Italian man, jumped into action and made a bet about a champagne bottle and a samurai sword. Jacques was too far away from the scene so he’s not aware of the details, but everyone in the room knew that the Italian man had to be taken off the ship for throat surgery of some sort. People were walking around talking about what the hell just happened, and they settled to the fact that this law graduate had defended a helpless seafarer. When Senator Heidi Clementine sent him a picture of Franco, he knew he just had to take this boy.

Franco hates bullies, and the Governor is pretty sure that this man will help him bring down the biggest bullies in New York.

“The elections are coming.” The Governor started. “I won’t be supported by the Hamptons anymore.”

Franco stood, almost knocking an expensive vase down the coffee table, and straighten his shirt with strawberry syrup and pigeon droppings. He cleared his throat, and with his convincing voice, he said. “Don’t worry. I will support you with everything I can. The Hamptons need to stop abusing power.”

*

Notes: Just because you have cringey imperfections doesn’t mean you can’t have a love story.
Notes: An Executive branch of a state is headed by a Governor while the legislative branch of a state is headed by a Senator.
Notes: Why I chose United States of America? It’s an English speaking country that does not use the Parliament system (Because I thought it’d be easier to explain Federal system. Boy, I was wrong). Also, America is a place where cultures usually converge. California is a pot of immigrant communities like Chinese, Filipino, Mexican, Italian and Slav, and I’d like to use that opportunity to make characters of different nationalities meet there.
Not because I think USA should always be considered the default country when it comes to story writing.