Let’s talk present. Not past. You’re always talking about the past.  And, if I might add, your past is not always accurate.  It’s kind of a made-up past, he said. One that paints you out to be this real American hero. A friend to the working man, he lit a cigarette and ran his hand through his hair.  Is that true?

What?

These stories you tell.

Stories? You call them stories? When I think of stories, I think of fiction. These are not made-up tales. Truth. These are true, the old man took a drink of scotch. You wanna talk present? What have you done for me lately? That is what you want? the young man nodded. I watched this neighborhood grow. Watched from the very beginning,  the mensch said. I knew and know every family that has lived here.  Used to have turkey giveaways at Thanksgiving.  Bought toys for their kids at Christmas time. Would stop by homes at Easter and Passover. Gave away jobs to those who needed them. And those who earned them.

That’s past. Now is a different story. You’re indicted. Selling jobs, accepting bribes, all this, he told him. That’s the present.

Fundraising, the committeeman said. Someone has to keep this city running.

Machine.

Of course it’s a machine. Cause that’s how we were taught. That’s how things get done.

What things?

The building of communities.  The building of a city. You want transparency? You want to put a stop to nepotism? If a man is starving, do you help him?

Yes, but….

Damn right. You give that man a job.

And he becomes a slave to you.

Slave? No. Loyal? Yes. All the dirty secrets and back room deals. You think you know. But, you don’t. And you’ll never stop it. This is how things work. Don’t ever forget that. It’s all for the greater good. It’s like I say, democracy is too important to be left to the people.