Stories From The 6 Train 2(145)

Time will tell what exactly Ms. Aspen will bring to the campaign, but already there are rumors circulating that the Governor may not be pleased with the choice of the Mayor to employ his stepdaughter.

New Yorkers have not seen such family drama play out in the city in a long time. It was the administration of Michael Anders that brought about the scandal that led to the divorce of the mayor and his wife, and his subsequent dating and marriage to his campaign staffer Kenneth Gilford after he came out on the eve of the election as being gay.

Observers do not believe that something like that situation would repeat itself here for the simple fact that Mayor Trask is hiring his daughter in an official capacity.

"Look, it's one thing if she were his stepsister or just not even related to him, then yeah, something might happen between the two of them. But she works for him. I mean, there's no way a woman is going to find her boss attractive, right? If anything, the fact that he used to be her stepdad should be a deterrent," a City Hall observer commented on condition of anonymity due to the fact that he works often with the current administration.

Whatever developments arise, it's a foregone conclusion that this election will be unlike anything that New York State has seen in recent times. It will be dirtier and with a husband and wife facing off against each other and a stepdaughter in the middle of the mix, it may very well border on scandalous.

Stay tuned to the New York Daily Journal to stay abreast of every juicy detail!





Parker





"You're kidding, right?" Susan Duran asks, hands on her hips.

It's a busy morning. The staff is buzzing and phones are ringing. I can see people taking calls and answering emails just beyond the glass panes of my office windows.

Susan's my Chief of Staff, and it's clear from her body language and the fact that her eyes are shooting daggers at me, that she isn't fucking happy that I've decided to bring Amy onto this campaign.

"It'll be fine," I promise her, taking my hands out of my pockets and giving her a quick pat on her shoulder. "I think Amy brings something unique to the table."

Susan laughs. "Is that what you're calling it? Unique? That's definitely not a word I'd use. Look, all I'm asking is that you stop and think about this for a minute, Parker."

"I have," I reply, "and I think this is a good move."

"Even with your playboy reputation?" Susan asks, her eyes widening in further surprise.

And just then, as if on cue, Amy knocks on my office door and lets herself in.

"Hi, sorry I'm late," she smiles. "City cabs can be so unpredictable."

She's wearing a short black skirt and I can't take my eyes off her ass.

She extends her hand to Susan. "I'm Amy; it's nice to meet you."

I watch as Susan eyes her up and down, and as if she didn't hear the introduction, she turns to me, completely dismissing Amy's outstretched hand.

"Parker, about our council business meeting tomorrow," she says, turning her entire body away from Amy, "we're going to need you to discuss your thoughts on improving the city's open data policies and IT infrastructure."

Amy tries to chime in, undeterred at the snub. "Actually, I can give you a lot of information on—"

But Susan cuts her off, still refusing to look in her direction. It's as if she's refusing to believe she's even in the same room. "I'm sure that isn't something that Amy can help us with."

"You're talking about her as if she weren't standing here with us," I laugh. My eyes travel between both women. Amy is standing with her hands on her hips. It's clear she isn't going to back down from Susan's dismissal.

"I know what this is about," Amy says.

"You're out of your element here," Susan replies. "I'm sure you know plenty about … other things … but I doubt you know much of anything in this arena."

"Other things?" Amy says.

"Oh come on," Susan smiles. "It's no secret what you do."

"And what exactly is it that you think I do?" Amy asks Susan.

I decide to jump in before the catty banter between these two women escalates into something else. What exactly, I don't know. But I don't want to find out either.

"Now, now," I say, waving one hand through the air dismissively. "Let's give it a rest."

"A rest is the last thing we need," Susan chimes in. "We need speed, momentum, and a clear action plan … with the right team. The clock's ticking."

That little dig causes Amy to bristle.

"I'm exactly what this team—" she begins to say, but I wave my hand and cut her off.

"Both of you stop," I say. "I've already made my decision. Amy's on the team, and that's final. Now, let's all start acting like we're a team."