Kokoro paced in the bathroom, practicing. She had written out the speech and practiced it for hours in front of the mirror. All of that practice went to waste. She tried not to think about the room of men waiting for her.

  “Think back on your past and everything that led you here,” she muttered to herself. Her voice was shaky and her hands had trouble staying at her side. All of a sudden, her skirt was too restrictive and her collar was suffocating. A splash of water on her face got her back on track. “Who are we if we’re helping…no, serving our people. Yeah, that’s right.” She continued whispering under her breath, pausing to remember the proper gestures and emphasis. There was a knock on the door. “Yes?”

  “Are you ready? They’re starting to get antsy,” a voice called from the other side. It was the voice of Fujii Tsubasa, the one cabinet member that was always on her side. She looked at herself in the mirror and tried to make her hair behave. The same pesky curl was out of place from when she was a little girl. A quick brush down of her shirt and it was time. A deep breath did little to ease her nerves.

  “How do I look?” she asked Tsubasa as she exited the bathroom.

  “Beautiful, as always,” he answered without hesitation.

  “Don’t kiss my ass and tell me how I really look,” she said.

  “You look great, honest,” his eyes trailed to the top of her head. “There is one curl out of place.” He reached up to adjust it absentmindedly. Kokoro swatted his hand away before he could.

  “Don’t. Someone could see us.”

  “No one’s going to-” she was already walking into the conference room. Tsubasa sighed and followed her in.

  Inside, the rest of her father’s cabinet was waiting. The old men all with permanent scowls etched into their wrinkles. Their eyes were daggers on Kokoro’s throat. The daggers followed her as she walked to the head of the table where her father’s chair was waiting. Her files were already laid out on the table, pre-set for her big moment. She took a second to collect herself. Tsubasa reminded her to breathe from across the table. She stood up and cleared her throat.

  “I understand that many of you resent the fact that my father’s illness has left me in charge. He is improving every day and advising me when he can. Even though I absorb his vote, I represent his views. I know we don’t agree on everything, but I want you to know that I am on the same side as you. I have to assume we all want what is best for Arcadia, otherwise I can’t imagine why my father would’ve chosen you to serve on his cabinet. Right now, Arcadia needs someone to stand up for her. We are at the peak of her society and owe everything to this country. In considering this law, you must remember why you’re here. Think back on your past and everything that has led you here. Who are we if we’re not serving our people? And right now, this is the best way to preserve their future.

  Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

  “This law will not halt Neon production entirely, merely divert the budget to other forms of energy and infrastructure. It’s no secret our farms are shrinking. There are less farmers in Arcadia than ever. The Luminaeon weren’t meant to serve us forever and we’ve begun to see how it cripples our great city. The streets are rampant with our own youth exploiting its precious capabilities for fleeting bliss. What’s worse are the corrupt systems in this very government that not only allow it to happen, but profit from it. My own father, the president, is suffering from the effects of its deadly smog. It’s irresponsible and dangerous to proceed this way. This law that I’ve put a great deal of time and thought into and that I’ve outlined for you before would allow us to give ourselves and our grandchildren a fighting chance. Looking into hydro-power and other alternative energy research will give us that opportunity. Are we ready to vote?”

  The eyes had not dulled. This did not bode well. But they were ready.

  “I cast both my votes for yes,” she stated. “Chairman Hayashi?” She had already tallied in the “against” column before he even spoke. He was the next highest in command, destined to thwart Kokoro every step of the way.

  “Against,” the old man grunted.

  “That’s two for, one against. Chairman Oda?”

  “Against,” he said.

  “That’s two for, two against. Chairman Fujii?”

  “For,” Tsubasa said with his chest. She couldn’t help but smile slightly at him. A ring of sweat was forming on her hairline. Only one more vote to get a four of seven majority. She saw Chairman Go reserved at the corner of the table. He was her last hope. Soon they would know which campaign was successful, the supportive or the smear.

  “That’s three for, two against,” the vice-president tallied. “Chairman Izumi?”

  “Against,” he spoke through half a mouth. The other half was rendered useless from a stroke years ago. One last deep breath.

  “That’s three for, three against,” she said. “Chairman Go?” The old man was the hardest to read of the bunch. It was nearly impossible to tell who had convinced him until the day of the vote. He took his time considering both sides. Tsubasa’s hands were clenched in anxiety. Kokoro told her hands to stop shaking as she held her pen to count the final and deciding tally.

  “Against,” the man croaked. Relief flooded the other chairmen's faces. Tsubasa hung his head in his hands. Kokoro stared blankly out the massive window into the greenish smog. Go stood up and left the room. His work was done.

  “That’s three for, four against. This law will not pass.” The last tally in the “against” column felt like another nail in her own coffin. Hayashi and Izumi stood and shook hands. The table began to clear out.

  “That’s a tough break, Koko,” Hayashi jeered. Rage seethed under Kokoro’s skin. She felt her face flush and hated the fact that he could see right through her. “It really was just a waste of time, though. All our experts know that the Neon reserves are enough to last well beyond all of our lifetimes.”

  “You don’t have too much left,” Tsubasa said under his breath.

  “Send my regards to your father,” Hayashi said as he left the room. Kokoro crumpled the papers in her hand. Her speech seemed so childish and trivial now. Go nodded respectfully before leaving. Tsubasa sat in his same spot.

  “Those old bastards don’t care about anyone but themselves. We'll get ‘em next time ok?” He was talking to the wall. The vice-president had not moved since the vote ended. “Kokoro?”

  “Leave me alone,” she said softly. Tsubasa frowned and saw himself out. The smog cleared to show the sun setting over the Circle.