Capital City, Osiris: Town Hall

[gabriel_tam]

The timing of the press conference and his announcement had been carefully planned.

Later that day, waving to the cameras and media captures filming for the evening's newsfeeds, Gabriel and Regan Tam had left Londinium on the first stage of their trip, prior to beginning the outward-arcing tour towards the Border and Rim. The first stop, of course, is Osiris -- the planet that Gabriel Tam represents in Parliament, and the location of the Tam family estate.

Home, in other words.

Still, even a brief vacation at home has its obligations and opportunities, and Gabriel is Osiris's member Senator on the Council of Seven, after all. The first town hall open meeting had been scheduled to take place in Capital City, the evening after their arrival.

He'd seen to it that his security personnel had been informed prior to the announcement as a courtesy. It should have given them plenty of time to arrange matters, and in fact it had.

However, that was before anyone had realized that the Senator would see fit to make a point of declaring his clear confidence regarding his personal safety and security. As a consequence, unbeknownst to Gabriel, hidden cameras trained on all entrances and exits from the venue have been hastily activated in order to keep track of all attendees, each of whom is undergoing an automated ident-scan.

One can't be too careful, after all.

Comments

[gabriel_tam]

"Implied, perhaps."

A pause.

"Was I wrong?"

[dr_j]

"Only in the respect that it's information I chose to share." A loose shrug. "Not like anything bad happens if it comes up."

[gabriel_tam]

"Or if it doesn't," he observes, pleasantly.

[dr_j]

"Right." With equal pleasantness. "I think I just want to make sure there's nothing remotely like nepotism going on. Concerning why you're being accomodating."

[gabriel_tam]

Gabriel's expression remains neutral, but there's no missing how his slight professional smile thins.

"No, Dr. Jordan, I can assure you that's not the case."

[dr_j]

"Good," he says, cheerful. "Now. Do you want some free advice, or is my audience at an end?"

[gabriel_tam]

"I'm certainly willing to listen," Gabriel replies. "And you're still welcome at the reception, of course."

[dr_j]

If he doesn't ignore that statement, he will probably say something he might regret just a little later.

"I'm sure this is nothing you haven't considered before, but let me underscore it for you. You've done a lot for people on the Rim. And that's great. It really is." There's no evidence of anything but sincerity, either. "At the same time, as one of your constituents, albeit one who watches parliamentary sessions like they're sporting events, I have to wonder what it is exactly that you've done for the people who actually elected you to represent them. I have to ask myself that question. And you can bet that I'm not the only one asking it."

[gabriel_tam]

His eyebrows fly upward in real surprise.

"Dr. Jordan, with all due respect, if that's a serious inquiry then perhaps you've not been paying quite the amount of attention to detail that you appear to believe you have."

Gabriel shakes his head.

"I'll tell you the same thing I'd tell anyone who asked me that outside the context of a specific topical area. Review the records, if you like. You'll find they're all openly available to the public, whether you're interested in the vote rolls or sponsorship lists or otherwise. Then do feel free to contact my office with any specific questions, and I'll see they're answered."

[dr_j]

"Nice," Jordie observes, with a hint of a smile. "If nothing else, you certainly have the necesary deflection skills for a lengthy career in the public interest."

[gabriel_tam]

Gabriel offers him a small bow that matches his polite smile.

"Xièxie nĭ." A beat, and his glance flicks to the far door where Mark Jiang has just entered, waving at him. "It appears that I'm overdue in attending upon the rest of the group."

His attention returns to Jordan. "Will you be joining us?"

[dr_j]

Jordie looks down at the floor; his smile curves into something more amused, if a little less polite. Without looking up: "It's a good thing you're out of time, Senator."

His gaze flicks up. "I'll just say that I wouldn't want to put a damper on the proceedings, and we can leave it at that."

[gabriel_tam]

"All right," he says, mildly. "I'm pleased to have met you, Dr. Jordan."

This time, instead of another bow, he offers his hand.

[dr_j]

There's a moment's hesitation before Jordie shakes.

And says, "Now isn't the time or place. There's something else."

[gabriel_tam]

He doesn't look aside at the security guard that's at his post, nor does he glance toward Mark -- in fact, there's not even a flicker of reaction in his expression of the sort that would give either of them cause for concern, but Jordan's close enough to see the sudden sharp intensity in his eyes.

He shakes Jordan's hand as a politician does, smiling, and replies,

"Then I look forward to our speaking again."

In the same breath, but in an undertone, he adds,

"Simon can reach me, of course, but if you prefer another approach, ask for Magda regarding a 'confidential concern.' She'll know what to do."

[dr_j]

It's enough to make him wonder whether this is really a good idea --

But then the senator did put the ball firmly in his court, and he can think about that later.

"So noted." Lightly, as he steps away. "Enjoy your reception. Thing."

[gabriel_tam]

He nods an acknowledgment to him.

"Wăn ān, Dr. Jordan."

Casually, Gabriel Tam turns away and crosses the room to Mark, who holds the door for him as he passes through into the reception chamber.

It closes softly behind them.