A World Without String Is Chaos - Chapter 35

Standing at 6 foot 4, always wearing a power suit, Max Powers carried himself as a man of importance. He was a businessman, famous for his wealth, and it eluded everyone how he made his fortune. What he did didn’t matter- what was important was that he was rich. And it was official- right after Maria Cortez announced her bid for presidency, Max Powers, too, announced his bid to run to become Mr. President.

Max Powers was a name and a face recognized by the public. He was certainly not a politician, at least, not until now, and he brought a fresh new energy to the conservative party. He cursed at his rallies; he was loud; he was proud. People loved him, or loved to hate him. The other conservative candidates lampooned him as a buffoon, but Max Powers made quick work of these straight and narrow career politicians. To everyone’s and no one’s surprise, Max Powers won the conservative primary and became the conservative candidate for office of presidency.

He had plenty of slogans, such as “Government is a business, man” and “Wealth for all”, but his biggest campaign promise was to repeal the soda tax. He immediately labeled Maria Cortez as Mrs. Soda Tax, and a socialist, and a woman. Max Powers, he proclaimed, was a man. He never elaborated on this point, but the implications were clear. Was the country ready or even willing for a Mrs. President? The mind worm was successfully buried in the voter’s head. The liberal party screamed sexist at him, but it only made him stronger.

Fizzy Pop and other corporations made substantial campaign contributions to Max Powers. Mr. White and Max Powers had several meetings while playing golf or dining at fancy restaurants, and these meetings were no secret to the press. Max Powers embraced his persona as the rich man, and he promised the people that with him as President, everyone will be rich, just like him. He never elaborated on how this would come about, but the mind worm was buried in the voter’s head.

Everyone knew that Max Powers was a womanizer. He was divorced twice, and he had a lot of scandals with cheating and such. Rather than being apologetic about it, Max Powers lamented his charm towards beautiful women, and people ate it up. What was there to fault about being attractive? And rich?

Maria Cortez saw all this, and she knew that Max Powers was a tough opponent. She didn’t know what was worse, embedded career politicians or showman politics. She was so close to ridding herself of the soda tax, and yet it was back to haunt her once again. She wanted to be known as a champion of anti-corruption and responsible government, but here it was again, she was Mrs. Soda Tax.

“Well, two can play at that game!” Maria smiled. “This girl ain’t no pushover.”
for visiting.

She grabbed her hairdye, and went to work.