Breaking the Chains. William T Blake
this magnitude of response. It's amazing to stand here and be an eyewitness to all that's happening."
"Tell us Mike, have you had a chance to speak with the organizers?"
"Yes Wendy I have, they expressed deep concerns. The decision to open the gates early has allowed people to enter the stadium in an orderly manner thereby avoiding potential control issues."
"Just how does it feel down there? Can you describe to us the mood of the people?"
"As I said earlier, it's an amazing spectacle. As the stadium fills the atmosphere can only be described as electric. The expectations are tense and filled with excitement. I've got to say that by the stretch of anyone's imagination this is not going to be an ordinary event. For those people that have endured the wait there is now the opportunity to take part in this special occasion. I have no doubt we are witnessing history in the making. This, in my view, promises to be exceptional.”
For just a few moments the vision continued in silence, words unnecessary. The camera remaining firmly focused on the people arriving in their droves. A coming together from every section of the community. All were congregating to hear just one man. This man who promised much, instilling in them a hope for the future.
"Thank you Mike, after this short break we'll return with further commentary from Laurie who is at present with us in the studio and is of course our own political analyst." The news broadcast switched to a commercial break without any further comment.
"Well Laurie what do you make of all this?" Wendy asked as the vision switched back to the newsroom.
"Thank you Wendy. To sum it up, there is a general feeling that for many years the people have been ruled by the politics of the wealthy, the powerful, the corrupt and the uncaring. This man has managed to instill a positive belief in the future and people want to catch a glimpse of him. All are seemingly anxious to hear him speak. In all my time as a political commentator I've not seen anything like it. You can see the arena is filled to capacity and still they're coming, many are standing in the aisles or hopelessly waiting around the outer boundaries. As Laurie was speaking the vision switched to the centre of the stadium, showing the immense stage, lit up brightly, emblazoned with logos and slogans. Huge multiple screens, all displaying his image along with other footage taken during the long campaign months. "I've no doubt he's a man of great vision, determined to achieve his goals and he hasn't shirked the hard yards, not at all. I can see he is a person of real substance, someone who has earned the right to be admired and trusted. The people have for so long wanted to believe and it seems there's a feeling they have finally found that man."
"Thank you Laurie. We will of course be showing an uninterrupted direct to air telecast of this evening’s event and it's something that viewers shouldn't miss. Right now though, we'll cross for the all-important details of tonight's weather forecast."
Chapter 2
- "Is this being taken care of?"
"Nothing you need to worry about sir. The wheels are already in motion." -
The daylight gave way to twilight, with all in readiness the proceedings commenced. A series of short speeches from prominent party officials paved the way for his entry. The public relations machine, the men and women who worked behind the scenes knew the only person anyone had any interest in hearing was the man himself. The PR machine had toiled diligently to ensure that the people would not be disappointed. The building up of the crowd, the enthusiasm and excitement gave them every reason to be confident that all of the long hours and hard work would pay off.
The formalities complete, Ken stood to address his audience. The crowd rose to its feet in unison whilst at the same time breaking out into wild applause to a point of pandemonium. The hand clapping accompanied by the stamping of feet, whistling and cheering, all of which continued on for some time, the noise deafening.
Standing at a little over six feet tall and with a natural athletic build, Ken was a handsome man. He possessed the rugged type of looks that most women found irresistible. His thick, dark brown hair with a touch of a curl always appeared slightly long but never untidy. An occasional locket would fall onto his forehead affording him a cheeky but innocent look. His muscular arms and broad shoulders all sitting atop a trim waist-line. Clothing fit him well, giving the appearance of being tailor made. Coupled to his good looks were charisma and warm charm, something he could turn on at will.
Regardless of any endeavor he undertook, he accepted nothing less than perfection, either of himself or those around him. The cost in any terms outweighed by the sweet tastes of success.
Always calm and collected he was rarely, if ever, unruffled by any situation. From the time of his childhood he had been a 'stand out', feeling comfortable and confident in any place or crowd, a fact that Ken himself knew all too well. He too, never failed to use this to his advantage whenever it suited his purposes.
Prior to his marriage to Cathy he had had many women, rarely seeing any one of them for more than a few weeks or perhaps some months. Amazingly, he did not consider himself a womanizer. He only saw these activities as taking advantage of an opportunity and nothing more. For a period after his marriage he had remained faithful to his wife. However as time passed and the opportunities kept presenting themselves he succumbed to the temptations. He felt no guilt whatsoever in this self-gratification.
Dressed in a dark suit, white shirt and red tie, he stood, lifting his arms high above his head victoriously, smiling and waving while he waited for calm. He soaked in the atmosphere, allowing the adrenaline to build up in his body.
He clearly understood that he would need to draw upon every resource he had within his conscious being. He could leave no stone unturned. Every word he spoke, every move he made must result in maximum impact. Anything less tonight and he would be failing himself and the party who placed so much trust and faith in him.
After much coercing from Ken, the audience finally settled and there was sufficient silence to enable him to commence his speech. Communicating to those gathered in the stadium and to those watching via the direct telecast or listening on the radio, the speech he himself had written. Despite the many attempts by his minders to make changes or to tone down his own strong beliefs he steadfastly refused. Tonight, this was the real Ken presenting himself to the public at large without any of the usual glossing over. No public relations machine, no minders and no imitations and certainly no apologies for being the man he was.
He would seek the approval of the people on his own terms. He must, once and for all, convince his fellow citizens that he is the man for this time. A man of unquestioned honor, someone they can trust to represent them fairly and without fear or favour. The one man who could lead them into an era that brought with it new opportunities, someone who would get the job done.
Tonight's rally was the pinnacle of the entire campaign, everything the party had worked for now hinged upon his performance. Failure on his part to effectively communicate with the people was simply not an option. If he could not convince the community of his desire to serve them with integrity, then he simply did not want the office.
His nerves were strung as tight as the strings of a violin; however, as he’d stepped up to the microphone all doubt left him. He knew then that he was in control as he thought to himself, "It just can't get any better than this."
He smiled briefly, just long enough to convey that he was confident and comfortable with the situation. He began, “Ladies and gentlemen, tonight I stand before you seeking your support," hesitating for a brief moment before continuing, "You the people who know me, you know who and what I am. I am a man who comes from amongst you and not one who is imported from another place simply because I fit the mold. I was born right here in the same hospital as many of you were. I was educated here in the same system. I was raised right here in this city and I am committed to the best interests of every person who calls this wonderful state of ours their home. You know my background and you know all of the policies of the party I represent and all it stands for. I have personally stood up to the scrutiny of the media and our opposition. We have hidden nothing from you simply because we have nothing to hide.” Ken looked directly into the television camera and as if on-queue, hesitated a moment