the qualified and the underqualified [gunnar&parson]

[d7m fraser birk ♚ frankel]

PARSON CHAM

Verbrecher Pharmaceuticals, it is the first stop of my tour of the pharmacies. It is a fragile road to walk down, many of them are up in arms about the restrictions on laboratory testing that were installed at the beginning of my first term. Others welcomed it. Most ignored the restrictions because the Capitol clipped them away anyway. Capitol favor, what is it? It is non-existent in this District.

I hit the part of District Six where all the pharmacy giants reside, grey-dull buildings filled with big heads. Chemistry has always gone over my head, probably another reason why I shouldn’t be the mayor of the medicine District. Oh well, there’s enough intelligent brains to whip that horse into shape.

I am welcomed into the Vebrecher building and lead to their legal department, I am here to meet a Gunnar Verbrecher, a name that I have bolded on my potential list.

”Thank you for agreeing to see me today, Gunnar. It is good to finally feel welcomed to this side of the District.” I say as I take a seat. ”I am here to talk about a potential position in my council, if I were to be re-elected. My current Pharmaceutical and Medical Sciences Secretary is…underqualified. Do you think that is a role you could fill?”

ELEGANT

[Hafen d4 ⚓︎ minie]

Gunnar Verbrecher

I had to admit, I was a little surprised when my secretary entered my office with post it note marking an appointment with the mayor. My eyebrow raised asking her what the purpose of the meeting was.

”Sir, Mayor Cham would like to talk about his re-election with you”

A fit of laughter for it was his micromanaging restrictions that had cause me a whole lot of headache during his term, but hey the more work I had the more billable hours to bank off. Guess you could say his restrictions payed for my new house and my new car.

The mayor arrived on time, good. For if this did not go in a direction profitable to me or Verbrecher Pharmaceuticals, at least he would have not wasted my time. I’m sure my sister was working on something that could use a patent write up or a lawsuit that needed my attention.

”Mayor Cham.” I opened the glass door to my office inviting him inside. ”Please to what do I owe the pleasure? Can I offer you some scotch? All good meetings require scotch.” I teased pouring us a glass while he laid down the reasoning for his visit.

A spot in his political cabinet. Now this most definitely sparked my interest. Something I could use to the advantage of Verbrecher Pharmaceuticals with still causing trouble for our own rivals.

”I must say, I am most flattered that you thought of me. I can assure you there is no one else more qualified in the district to handle both pharmaceuticals and politics. Both worlds are my home, I am sure I can find a new balance that your previous appointee had massively ruined. No offence to you, Mayor but the laws put into place were not exactly profitable to the district’s industry at all.”

ELEGANT

[d7m fraser birk ♚ frankel]

PARSON CHAM

"I’ll take a scotch.” The glass is already poured and I take it. Gunnar is already proving to be a welcoming man for the council. Young, certainly but definitely more qualified than his predecessor.

Noah Blow, while his bar has been the perfect setting for our meetings as a council, all his other qualities have been no help for the data. That is what the analysts have told me anyway. I thought his business skills were going to be the improvement that the industry needs. But no. I have been wrong again. This second term is just going to be filled with me fixing the messes I have caused in the first place. I suppose it is better than being shot like my predecessor.

”You’re quite young, for a man in a position like yours. Usually the legal departments are led by wrinkled old bastards.” I take a sip of the scotch, it is strong, especially for this time of day. ”What makes you so special compared to the others that I am going to meet today?”

The liquor swirls around in the glass in my hand as figure out this man that I am going to spend the next five years working alongside. I have no intention of meeting with the other cronies, but he doesn’t need to know that. ”And yes, take this as your job interview.”

ELEGANT

[Hafen d4 ⚓︎ minie]

Gunnar Verbrecher

I smile as Parson brings up my age. A topic that always seems to find it’s way into meetings and board rooms. At Verbrecher Pharmaceuticals most people have chalked it up to nepotism, but most tend to forget I could not care less if I am the bad guy or not. Never have I tried to impress the members of the board by playing favorite, instead my strategy laid within the harsh truth and taking risks no one else would dream to take.

”Well then, please take a seat” I said handing him his drink before taking my spot at my desk. It felt more as if I was interviewing him than the other way around. Why would the job be worth my time, and what could Mayor Cham do for me if re-elected. Never a one-sided game, this was his interview just as mine.

”My father knew to take a risk in me. As you said, lawyers are often old men way past their time, unable to catch up with the ever-changing times. I proved myself, finding the loopholes in the law that would allow for expansion into new sectors.” My pride was showing through, and I made no attempt to appear humble.

”Here’s the thing Mayor Cham. My job here pays extraordinary well, and well I am damn good at it. Most of the laws I work my away around are yours” My glass in hand motioning towards him as I lean back. ”If you want control over the pharmaceutical industry, you are going to need me. I find loopholes like a pig finds truffles. If you want any respect from the industry, I am your guy. I’m sure your previous secretary provided decent drinks. Even in that department I exceed, only the best money can buy for my associates. What would I like to know is what you can offer me?”

ELEGANT

[d7m fraser birk ♚ frankel]

PARSON CHAM

Extraordinary at finding loopholes, he already has the job.

”Pays extraordinarily well. And do you wonder where that money trickles from?.” It is a hard balance spreading the money bags across the District, especially when they’re so thin. There are private investors from the Capitol but they only delve into what they care about: human experiments. Rich District citizens think they have infinite wealth but the only true people pulling the money strings are the Capitol.

It is something I am glad as Mayor that I figured out early. Doesn’t matter how important of an industry we are either. It all just stems from them fucked up games and the prize that comes with it.

”What I can offer you, and your family’s business is an exemption to the law. A pay and benefits package that is double what you’re earning now and free rein of any laws and regulations that you introduce for the industry. I will entrust pharmaceuticals to you, you will be in charge of all of it!” I knock back the scotch and slam the glass on Gunnar’s desk.

”Is it a deal or should I carry on with my appointment at Thatcher’s Pharmaceuticals?”

ELEGANT

[Hafen d4 ⚓︎ minie]

Gunnar Verbrecher

Either I was a motherfucking god when it came to conviction (I damn well knew I was) or Parson Cham was getting desperate not to lose the vote of the pharmaceutical industry ( both were true). My name on his side made him a lot of friends and possibly some enemies amongst the Thatcher’s but their reign in in pharmaceuticals was long gone.

The Verbrecher held all the cards, and I was about to get the key to the city. Now now, I couldn’t be too hasty. I started to pour us another round of drinks with a sly smile on my face knowing I had just won everything I could have ever wanted. ”I appreciate a colleague who gets to the point but slow down a bit….have another drink. Your terms are formidable but what kind of lawyer would I be if I did not put it into writing?”

I took another sip while I started up my computer, quickly calling in my secretary to let her know she must cancel all my remaining appointments. I had a contract to write.

”Would you like to stay, I much rather you be here to iron out the fine print. Of course, I could always send a copy to your legal team to read and go over. Although I would highly consider you take me on as your lawyer as well, leaving no reason for the Thater’s to get involved into affairs. They always try to do that, y’know. Thankfully this is a game of wits, and they have none.”

ELEGANT

[d7m fraser birk ♚ frankel]

PARSON CHAM

If I left now, I could make it to Georgie’s school debate. My attendance at it was already doomed before the date was already announced but this effective appointment with Gunnar has helped clear the rest of my day. I best get the hour blocked out, so my assistant doesn’t slip in an unexpected meeting with people who don’t give a damn what I say.

Gunnar is adamant that I stay, he pours another scotch, but a full glass is not going to keep me seated.

”I’ll take this drink as a celebration of you accepting my job offer,” I say as I raise the glass to Gunnar’s and then I knock another throat burning measure. I will regret this later. ”But I am busy man, I have a campaign to run and don’t worry, my appointment with the Thatcher’s has been cancelled.”

I pull out a diary from my jacket pocket, there’s a list of names of mayoral officials, many of whom I didn’t appoint but the Capitol put into their positions. ”Start typing up the contract, I will send someone over from my team to read through it before it reaches my office. You can come and sign it in the mayoral’s office, have a tour of your new workplace.” I stand up from the seat, peering over Gunnar’s computer. ”Great scotch, make sure you bring it with you.”

ELEGANT