sixwordstories | (no subject)

Don't you?

No, especially not in politics.

Politics, most certainly not. Anyone who's there has already acted in their own self-interest too much to do favors for free.

Anyone who gives any organization twenty million dollars is acting in their own self interest too in my opinion.

Twenty million? That's quite a lot of hooks, quite convenient for the purpose of the attachment of strings.

That's a very apt way of putting it, but very true.

Perhaps its one of those rare times when a metaphor may have practical as well as poetic purpose.

What was the twenty million dollar donation towards?

Could very well be.

The budget deficient in the NYPD. Officers were forced to take a pay lag, now they can get paid.

A twenty million dollar donation towards the police?

I wouldn't begrudge officers of the law the resources, but that seems very close to the attempted purchase of the entire police force.

It sounds like it, doesn't it? Forty percent of the officers walked off the job when they found out about the pay lag. With the money they can get back to work.

It's an odd sort of buy off.

That does bring us to the first exception to the rule that you never get something for nothing. It's rather easy - you just refuse to give anything in return.

So you're saying that despite the gift no special consideration should be given?

Are you saying you would give it?

No. I didn't even want to take the money but it wasn't up to me.

You seem like a very fair person.

Because I didn't want to accept the money?

Because it doesn't seem as though you'd let it sway you once you had.

My name is Vivian.

You got that impression from me already?

Nice to meet you, Vivian. I'm Mac Taylor.

Nice to meet you, Mac.

You work with the police, then?

I am the head investigator for the New York Crime lab.

The best place to have a fair-minded person, I would imagine.

The evidence speaks for itself, when emotion enters into the equation it takes away the power of the evidence.

What do you do?

I have always endeavored to let the facts guide me. Subjective interpretation is all so very - well. Subjective.

I speak. At length, and to anyone who will listen.

I agree. When people's lives and freedom are at stake, emotion shouldn't rule, facts should.

You are a speaker, or a teacher?

Unfortunately, rather more in the political realm. I would never run for election - I'm not suited for it - but I like to make sure facts are asserted where they should be.

That is certainly an interesting job description.

I have an interesting job.

I know a few occasions, but this sounds political.

It is. The NYPD just got bailed out by Robert Dunbrook.

Then at the very least he'll expect a carte blanche on minor traffic violations.

How much bailing out?

At the very least.

Twenty million dollars worth of bail out.

I believe I was offered an island for that in my heyday.

He's got something planned or is already dirty. Either or both.

You offered twenty million for an island?

Do you think the NYPD should have taken the money?

I was offered an island for twenty million at a time when I was consolidating assets.

Well, that's a complicated issue. Society needs the thin blue line to maintain order. I can't say that I blame any of the men who developed the 'blue flu'. It's ridiculous to dishonor men and women who risk their lives to maintain order and protect people. If they can keep the money from effecting their actions, it's an easy fix. Easy fixes rarely work well.

I'm glad that was clarified.

I have to respect anyone who stands behind their convictions, but walking out on a job . . . I've been around enough politics to know that there is no such thing as an easy fix.

I did not have the money at the time, in case you're curious.

No one did the ideal thing, Mac. But peaceful labor protest is a time honored tradition in America. For now, society is functioning again. If nothing else, New York can rest easier knowing a dangerous man is being watched by an honorable one.

I was rather hoping you did.

No, you're right, I don't believe that the first thing on the budget chopping block should be your first line of defense. Do you think Robert Dunbrook is a dangerous man?

Never. There's always a price.

Did you hear about the bail out?

I did, yes. I'm sure I'm not the only one who wishes to know what Robert Dunbrook's intentions are now.

I think it was questionable to take his money in the first place.

I can't help but wonder: what does he want from us?

I don't know, but I'm sure we'll find out soon.

*sighs* I just hope he doesn't cause problems for us later, or try to throw a case.

That's politics for ya, Mac.

[don't spoil me in our thread, haven't seen it yet!]

I hate politics.

[ooc: I'll try not to]