Meeting the Mayor

Tess cursed as she kicked the truck. In the old days she would have called AAA for a tow, but since the events phones didn’t work and traveling out this far between cities was always dangerous. Not that cities were that much safe, without electricity they could be rough especially when the rations didn’t stretch far enough. 

Remembering that she had passed a town a few miles back she gathered her backpack and began to walk, hoping she could convince a mechanic to come and help her dying truck. Thankfully it wasn’t too hot, and she made it before sunset. 

There was a mechanic. He seemed surprised to see her, and in fact told her that. 

“We don’t get many visitors since,” he shrugged. 

Tess nodded. The town was maybe two hundred people big so she figured everyone knew everyone. Especially now that there was no internet or TV. 

“Come on. You gotta talk to the Mayor,” he said gesturing for her to follow him to his own truck. 

“Why?”

“Everyone has to checkin with the Mayor. Helps him divide up the rations to know everyone in town I guess,” he said, “don’t really figure it’s my place to argue. Just the way it is.”

“Then we can go to my truck?” Tess asked. 

“Tomorrow. Too many radiation goats out st night. Don’t feel like losing a leg.”

Sighing she climbed in and was driven to a large house. The mechanic lead her up to the front door and knocked. A trim middle aged man opened the door and smiled, “Mike. Who is your friend?”

“She’s not my friend she’s a customer. Truck broke down outside town. Figured you needed to meet her,” the mechanic that Tess now knew was named Mike said. 

“Well you’re a literal minded person and that’s what I like about you. Thanks for bringing her by, I’ll make sure she gets a place to stay the night,” the Mayor said. 

Mike the mechanic shrugged and heard back to his truck. The Mayor lead Tess inside. 

“Where are you from?” He asked. 

“Milwaukee,” she answered. 

“Ah. I used to perform there. Nice town. You heading back there?”

“No my brother is out in Texas. I was headed to try to see him. He’s got some land, might be safer there,” she answered, “Which may I ask, how is it to… not on fire here?”

He laughed,” We had our damage to property like everyone and outside the city limits isn’t safe at night but the townspeople came together. We work in unison to keep things smooth. Share the rations equally and we’re working on growing our own food for when the federal government stops supporting us. It is really about town spirit.”

Tess nodded but was still surprised. Everywhere else was in some kind of disarray. Even the best run cities had had riots. Small towns were dying out as people fled to cities where the federal rations were most readily available. 

“That’s amazing,” she said. 

“Well thankfully I was able to help. I’m not from here originally and they were slightly reluctant to trust me. But I convinced them all to support me, and it’s made things run smoothly,” he said. 

“Oh?” That was surprising. An outsider becoming mayor was odd. 

“Everyone has a role. And I think you’ll fit in nicely,” he said. 

Tess smiled, “Well that’s nice but I really do want to keep going tomorrow.”

He nodded and stepped closer to her, “I see. Why don’t you relax then. You can rest tonight and you’re free to leave after you have a goodnight sleep. It would be nice to have a long and deeply relaxing sleep. Wouldn’t it Tess?”

She agreed with a murmured, “Yes.”

“Relaxing is key. It’s always better to make decisions when you are relaxed. Stress makes us make mistakes so I like to help my citizens relax so that they know the best path to take. Relaxing helps you realize what you really want Tess,” he said. 

Tess nodded noting how deep and bright blue his eyes were. She smiled slightly, having been tense the entire drive and moreso after her truck broke down. Now it was finally time to relax. It was safe here. Nice here. 

“See I was a stage hypnotist. I was traveling through town when it happened. They had a meeting of everyone in town. I seized my opportunity and spoke. Hypnotized the entire town in one go and became mayor. It’s really for the best. To relax and let me do your thinking,” he said. 

Tess nodded, her mouth hanging open as she relaxed. 

“But everyone is either older or married. No single women. Well there’s three lesbians but they seem happy enough on their own. You’re the first visitor in seven months. Relax Tess. You don’t need to worry about anything anymore. Water. Rations. You’re going to be the Mayor’s wife. Everything will be okay. Just relax and obey. Obey your Mayor.”

Tess smiled. Safe. Relaxed. Obey. The words all made sense. She relaxed against his body and closed her eyes. Aware only vaguely of her body undressing itself. 

Aware only vaguely of her broken truck and a destination in Texas she was quickly forgetting all about.