You enter the college auditorium. For tonight's event flags and bunting in SpinDizzy's "Town Colors" have been hung from the walls and around the stage. The back of the stage has a projection of a computer generated SpinDizzy flag. On the stage are four podiums for the candidates, each spotlighted and painted in an understated pattern of the SpinDizzy colors. To one side is a similar podium where the moderator will stand. The house lights are dim and there are seats, benches, shelves, perches and other places for different types of audience members to relax and feel comfortable. - The audience is asked to show the candidates the same respect that they will show their opponents and you, the voters, by remaining quiet during the debate. Please do not talk or pose so that we are not distracted. If you feel you must say something to someone else, please use page or whisper. Please, no applause until the end of the debate.
Note that audience entry and exit messages and activity and chatter not related to the debate have been edited out.
Argon nods and adjusts his tie.
Argon says, "Good evening and welcome to the @Action News Mayorial Debate. I'm Argon, Editor of @Action News, and I'll be moderating this debate."
Portia claps for Argon and smiles.
Argon says, "I'd like to ask everyone to show the Candidates the same respect that they will show their opponents and you, the voters, by remaining quiet during the debate. Please do not talk or pose so that we are not distracted. If you feel you must say something to someone else, please use page or whisper. Please, no applause until the end of the debate."
Argon says, "The candidates will each make an opening statement, after which I will ask them questions. Each candidate will answer going from the audience's left to right. I will start with the candidate on the far left for the first question and then the candidate on their right will answer the same question and then the next until we reach the last candidate on the right. The next question will be directed to the candidate on the right of the one who answered the previous question and each will answer in the same pattern. This gives each candidate the opportunity to answer first. Candidates will then make a closing statement."
Argon says, "At this point let me introduce our choices for Mayor of SpinDizzy. From left to right we have Beltrami, local balloon dragon, Eliahn, local vulpes caeruleus sapiens, Jaxen local grey fox, and Portia, local red panda."
Argon says, "I again ask for quiet during the debate. Which will begin now...."
Argon says, "Beltrami, may we have your opening statement, please?"
Beltrami nodnods. She steps out next to the podium, pets her sister-dress, rubs Chalky's and Lou's noses in the board, and bows. She smiles proudly and spreads out her arms and wings.
Beltrami pats her chest. She winds her hand counterclockwise many loops, and then holds her right hand up in a fist, a ball, and points to it with her left index finger. She moves the finger from there out to pat the podium.
Beltrami points to her eyes, and points around, spreading her arms out again. She spreads her wings and pats her chest, over her 'heart'.
Beltrami cups her hands together on her heart and spreads them apart, and then spreads her arms out again as it to embrace all!
Beltrami touches her chin and pats her neck...she swings her head back and forth, and then gives thumbs up. She points to the podiums set up for the mayor debate, and rolls her hands clockwise optimistically!
Beltrami touches her chin, bows, and steps back behind the podium.
Argon says, "Thank you, Beltrami."
Argon says, "Eliahn, may we have your opening statement, please?"
Beltrami nodnods and dips her head to Eliahn.
Eliahn stands on top of the podium, bows to the audience, turns and bows to Beltrami, then turns finally to bow to the candidates on his other side, "Ladies, gentlemen, and others. I hope you will vote for me. I think together we can do all manner of wonderful things to make our world shinier and even brighter than it is already. And if we happen to run into or create any problems for ourselves, all we need do is get some passionate, creative people together and figure out how to solve them.'
Eliahn yips, "Support whoever you think best, and I wish almost all possible luck to my competitors. I'm reserving the wish of all possible luck for myself. Stating this proves I'm honest."
Eliahn grins and bows slightly, "Thank you."
Argon says, "Thank you, Eliahn."
Argon says, "Jaxen, may we have your opening statement, please?"
Jaxen nods to Argon. Then he bows to the audience, "Thank you all for coming tonight. I'm glad so many could come to this debate, and I hope it will help you decide who you will choose for mayor."
Jaxen nods to each of the other candidates, "Thank you for coming too. This debate should give SpinDizzians a good idea of were we each stand."
Jaxen nods to Argon, then Portia.
Beltrami nodnods and touches her chin to Jaxen.
Portia nods to Jaxen in thank you.
Argon says, "Thank you, Jaxen."
Argon says, "Portia, may we have your opening statement, please?"
Portia smiles and nods,"Thank you, Argon. I want to thank each and every one of you for coming today to show your support and care for this wonderful place we call home. As Mayor, I too will show my support and care for Spindizzy by creating places for us to gather and build bonds of communication and community."
Portia looks to the left of the room,"In order to do this, I will take care to listen to your needs and address them in strengthening, not only our friendships and conversation, but strengthening ourselves a community. Through beautification projects, establishments of Spindizzy national holidays, and an interspecies coalition to help learn and grow together."
Portia looks the the right of the room,"And so, I hope that you come to vote with the best interest for everyone in an effort to better your home and mine, Spindizzy. Thank you."
Argon says, "Thank you."
Argon says, "Eliahn, if you are mayor, what would you change?"
Eliahn yips, "The saturation setting. We need brighter colours."
Eliahn ohs! "Thank you."
Argon says, "Jaxen, if you are mayor, what would you change?"
Jaxen looks out to the audience, "I do not see much that needs to be changed myself, but one of the things I would do as mayor is setup a system/fourm were SpinDizzians can share ideas that would improve the community."
Jaxen ohs.. He says, "Thank you."
Argon says, "Portia, if you are mayor, what would you change?"
Portia lilts, "Well, one thing I'd like to change is to better utilize areas that have been long abandoned and give them more life."
Portia lilts, "I like the idea of more saturation, but with that we need more brightness, clarity, and laughter. I'd like to help add more fun and comfort to the lives of Spindizzy citizens. "
Portia lilts, "And finally, I'd like to be here to give support to each and everyone of you if I can to facilitate these goals. Thank you."
Argon says, "Beltrami, if you are mayor, what would you change?"
Beltrami smiles to Argon and shakes no- she holds up her index cards 'WHO' and then 'HOW'. She dips her head and turns to the 3D-BB, to pet Lou and Chalky, and starts to write.
Beltrami writes out 'ALL HAVE UNEXPRESSED WANTS- QUESTION IS OPENING THEM UP- NEED LISTENING'- she bows- 'AND COMMUNITY- SO BE NEXUS TO LISTEN AND SHARE'
Beltrami touches her chin as Chalky rests its chin on Lou's head, and bows to stand back behind the podium.
Argon says, "Thank you."
Argon says, "Jaxen, what would you do to ensure that not only gulls have the tastiest fish?"
Jaxen smiles.. "Um.. I do not think that is the mayor's responsablity.. Thank you."
Argon says, "As we are running out of time, I have a queston for each individual candidate then..."
Beltrami blinks and nods?
Argon says, "Beltrami - Do you think your inability to speak might pose a problem when dealing with someone who doesn't understand you?"
Skyler says, "(May I suggest that I have at least a little more time, and I could hear a question or two more? Let's go with to 10:00 PM muck time?)"
Argon nods at Skylers suggestion.
Beltrami shakes no. She points to her hollow throat and stands proudly. She holds up a finger and writes down 'VOICELESS OK- MEANS ALL LISTEN MORE- MISUNDERSTANDING EASIER W/SPEECH'
Argon says, "Thank you Beltrami."
Argon says, "Eliahn - Do you think your diminutive size might impede your ability to be noticed as a leader?"
Eliahn smiles and shakes his head, "Nah. It just means all my brilliance and personality are more concentrated and thus more active."
Eliahn yips, "Thank you."
Argon says, "Thank you, Eliahn."
Argon says, "Jaxen - It's been noticed that you're a rather quiet and private individual, could that impede your being an effective leader?"
Jaxen says, "No.. I'm often quiet, because I like to hear what others are saying. When one is talking, one is not listening. Also, I do not precieve myself as being very private. I just that I have tendance not to talk about myself, if not asked."
Argon says, "Thank you, Jaxen."
Jaxen says, "Thank you."
Argon says, "Portia - People have noticed your peripheral association with the Society of Evil Doers' leader Morticon. Would you like to comment on what affect this may have in your administration?"
Portia lilts, "Well, firstly, the effect on my administration would be negligent due to the fact that, as Mayor, I would keep my private life out of my position. As Mayor, I have a commitment to you and all the citizens of Spindizzy, including Morticon, to make this a better place."
Portia grins,"And, I'd just like to comment about ensuring tasty fish. I happen to live quite near the Town Gate on the Glimmersea. And, as Mayor, I would be happy to try and set up a contract with the fishermen to provide fish for everyone and ensure that they are, indeed, the tastiest by trying them myself.
Portia lilts, "Thank you."
Argon says, "Thank you, Portia. Lets now return to the round-robin questioning for the next few questions."
Beltrami nodnods.
Argon says, "Beltrami, what do you promise *not* to do if elected?"
Beltrami blinks?
Beltrami shrugs, and then she opens her mouth and taps her empty throat. She bows.
Argon says, "Eliahn, what do you promise *not* to do if elected?"
Eliahn yips, "Oh, lots of things! I promise not to plunge Spindizzy into an eternal night in which no laughter is allowed. Aaand, I promise not to enslave anyone or anything. Nor will I embezzle public funds for personal gain. That one's going to be easy since, as far as I know, we don't have public funds. Nor shall I be impolite to people in an official capacity. Nor shall I deprive otters and gulls of tasty, delicious fish. Thank you."
Argon says, "Thank you, Eliahn."
Argon says, "Jaxen, what do you promise *not* to do if elected?"
Jaxen says, "I will not take advantage of the position for personal gains. I promise not to force SpinDizzians to be involed in the Mayor's pursuits. (For example, I'm not going to try force an RP on someone)"
Jaxen says, "Thank you."
Argon says, "Thank you, Jaxen."
Argon says, "Portia, what do you promise *not* to do if elected?"
Portia nods and says,"Well, I promise not to sit by and do nothing. I promise not to ignore or overlook those in need. I promise not to think or make decisions on my own wants or desire, but to take into consideration what is best for us all. Thank you.
Argon says, "Thank you, Portia."
Argon says, "Eliahn, "Would you build a city hall? If so, please tell us something about it."
Eliahn shakes his head, "Nah. You only build a city hall if you plan to have a big bureaucracy to stick in it. I don't think we need one of those, I don't plan to start keeping track of anyone or their affairs. If we're going to have a meeting, we can have it in the open air, and if a group forms to solve a problem or do something wonderful, they can meet where it delights them most."
Eliahn yips, "Thank you."
Argon says, "Thank you, Eliahn."
Argon says, "Portia, would you build a city hall? If so, please tell us something about it."
Portia shakes her head,"No, I would certainly utilize my library and my home to receive those with questions and concerns, but a city hall would be too much and put too much focus on a servant of the feople.
Portia lilts, "Thank you"
Argon says, "How about you, Jaxen, would you build a city hall?"
Jaxen nods, "Yes, a rather small one, but I would not do it alone. City hall would be a structure that belongs to SpinDizzians, so I would seek the help of anyone interested in building it."
Jaxen says, "Thank you."
Argon says, "Thank you, Jaxen."
Argon says, "Beltrami, same question. Would you build a city hall?"
Beltrami smiles- she holds up a finger and walks out from the podium. Chalky licks the back of Lou's head while she taps on her operator palette.
Beltrami swings out her hand, revealing a half-meter square checkerboard cloth which she puts on the floor and then spreads out.
Beltrami holds up a finger and starts to write.
Beltrami writes 'FIRST THOUGHT NO- CAN DO INFORMAL WORK- '
Beltrami continues 'BUT CITY HALL NOT ABT WORK- IS ABOUT COMMUNITY PRIDE/PARTICIPATION'
Beltrami writes down 'CHANCE FOR ALL IN DESIGN-BUILD-MAINTAIN-RENOVATE - AND GATHER'
Beltrami writes 'SO MAYOR WORK INFORMAL/PERSONAL- BUT BUILD CITY HALL AS EXPRESSION OF OUR AMBITIONS'
Beltrami smiles and pats her palette again, and then writes 'CAN BE FUN'. She bows and taps her chin, and stand back behind the palette, as Chalky licks Lou's nose and then rubs the chalk on its nose back in line.
Beltrami smiles and signs OK to Argon.
Argon says, "Finally, lets end with closing statements from each candidate."
Argon says, "Portia?"
Portia nods and says,"Tonight has been a wonderful expression of our hopes, dreams, ambitions and commitment to the betterment of our community. I'd like to thank the other candidates for taking their time to be here and in listening to what they have to say, I too have walked away with more respect for each of them and more hope that no matter whoever is voted as Mayor, we all will be winners in the improvement of our way of life. I would like to use my extensive knowledge, my ability to think unbiased, to reason without influence based on my own convictions. I have done charitable, selfless things and hope to continue to do things.
Portia lilts, "Thank you."
You say, "Thank you, Portia."
You say, "Beltrami, may we have your closing statement?"
Beltrami steps back from behind the podium and rubs the back of her neck.
Beltrami writes 'HAVE LOVED ALL- WANT TO RETURN THANKS- AM GLAD DESIRE TO CHANGE INSPIRED SUCH INTEREST/COMMUNITY/PARTICIPATION- HOPE WILL CONTINUE W/ANY MAYOR- HOPE THAT SELF'.
Beltrami touches her throat, and spreads out her wings, flapping them as Aushae would, and bows her head with deelybops glowing.
Beltrami touchs her chin, and steps back behind the podium. Chalky wraps its wings around Lou.
Argon says, "Thank you, Beltrami."
Argon says, "Eliahn? Your closing statement, please."
Eliahn smiles, standing up straight on the podium, "Ladies, gentlemen, others, and my esteemed and honoured competitors. I think you all for coming, as tonight has been both informative and a delightfully pleasant diversion. I hope that whoever is chosen we can work together to make our world as brilliant as it can be, and more full of wonder than ever before. Anyone here would make an excellent choice even if I think I'd make the best.'
Eliahn yips, "Thank you."
Argon says, "And Jaxen. Your final statement, please."
Jaxen says, "Thank you ALL for coming, SpinDizzians, and fellow candidates. Also thank you Argon, for hosting this debate. I think this debate has shown that there are many who care about our community and I'm glad those who could make it, have. Again thank you."
Jaxen bows.
Argon says, "Thank you, Jaxen."
Argon says, "Thank you all for your participation in this debate. I hope that you, the candidates, feel you have had an opportunity to express your views on issues important to residents of SpinDizzy. I also hope the voters have learned more about the candidates and can make an informed choice in choosing a mayor. A log of this debate will be available soon. Please read the bulletin board, or @Action News for a link to it on the Internet."
Beltrami smiles and nods- she bows to Argon.
Eliahn smiles
Portia smiles and claps for Argon and for everyone else.
Argon says, "Thank you, voters, for attending and you candidates for participating in, the @Action News Mayoral Debate."
Argon says, "Good evening."
Austin says, "Any chance at free questioning, then? And will there be a debate for the morning crew?"
Argon says, "If the candidates would like, I think that's a fine idea."
Portia lilts, "I'd be happy to stay for free questioning."
Beltrami gives thumbs up and nods.
Skyler says, "If they're sticking around a while, Austin, I don't see why not. Depends on the time they have, I would imagine."
Argon says, "Polo is talking about setting up a second debate."
Portia lilts, "And unfortunately, I can't come in the Morning due to some real obligations."
Beltrami frowns and nods to Portia.
Kamida lilts, "well, sofar it was all about what people wanted to hear, I wonder if they dare to say things about being mayor that are not so pleasing..."
Than tilts her head as she looks to Kamida "Like what?"
"
Portia lilts, "I have no qualms in speaking my mind and being honest."
Jaxen maybe able to do a morning one.. Needs to know a target time though.
Kamida lilts, "well, what will they do about people who are different, wo break their laws, will there be taxes?"
Portia lilts, "Well, there are currently no laws here other than the laws of common courtesy."
Leowulf says, "Well, Beltrami probably has the 'challenged' vote."
Beltrami blinks at Leowulf?
Portia lilts, "And feople who are different are one of the things that make Spindizzy special."
Portia lilts, "So, who is to say who is different than everyone else?"
Portia lilts, "I know I'm not like anyone else here."
Leowulf turns to Beltrami, "People who are different from the norm, maybe thoght of as handicapped.
Natasha says, "Oh, okay, let's have a serious question. If you were a tree, what kind of tree would you be?"
Jaxen says, "No taxes. I do not see a need for them. Also the mayor is not a law setter I think."
Beltrami looks at Leowulf and points to herself? She shakes no and looks curiously back at him.
Leowulf smiles, "No, I know YOU don't think that way.
Portia lilts, "There wouldn't be taxes for there is really no need for them especially since we do not have a specific monetary system."
Skyler says, "Yeah, I daresay you lost her, there."
Portia lilts, "As to what kind of tree, I'd say Cherry Blossom."
Jaxen says, "I agree with Portia about different furs. It takes all types to make a community."
Beltrami points to Skyler and nods.
Leowulf says, "Beltrami, you've got a challenge to make yourself understood that very few others have to deal with. Some might see that as a handicap."
Portia lilts, "The cherry blossom has been a symbol of beauty, female dominance, and a transience for life."
Beltrami looks blankly at Leowulf.
Leowulf says, "And I bet voters who see themselves with handicaps, or otherwise different will tend to follow you."
Natasha jots down some notes on a notepad. "Okay... next question. Coke or Pepsi?"
Portia blinks at Natasha,"I'm afraid I haven't had either one of those."
Leowulf scratches his head, "Skyler, am I just speaking a different language tonight?
Beltrami touches her chin warily to Leowulf and shrugs. She kneels down to look at Natasha and- looks blankly at her again.
Jaxen hmms... "A Maple perhaps, Natasha?"
Jaxen smiles, "Root Beer."
Skyler says, "Nah, I wouldn't say so. But, you've seen Beltrami's reaction to food?"
Leowulf snickers at Findra.
Leowulf cocks his head at Skyler, "Actually no, but, I think I see your point.
Natasha says, "And finally a question that's been a deep ongoing concern on the Internets for many years. Joel or Mike?"
Beltrami shrugs and holds her hands out, empty, to Natasha.
Beltrami grins and gives her thumbs up!
Natasha says, "Ah, Beltrami's the Zen candidate. I should've known!"
Portia lilts, "Joel, definitely. There is just something so comfortable and noble about that name."
Skyler hehs. "I think that's 'yes'."
Portia lilts, "Are their any other questions?"
Argon says, "I suppose that ends the serious questons then."
Argon says, "Thank you again, candidates."
Findra chirrrs softly, "I think we're past that, Argon. :)"
Jaxen says, "Who's Joel and Mike?"
Leowulf says, "Jaxen, you're kidding, right?"
Leowulf says, "Well, I thought this was a very insightful event."
Argon hipbumps Mavra! Mavra hipbumps her handsome hubby.
Argon says, "Thanks, Leo. I think it was important for the candidates to have an opportunity to speak to the voters and the voters to get to know the candidates."
Portia nods and says,"Thanks again for this opportunity."
Portia lilts, "I'm afraid that my player has to get up early and should get to sleep soonish"