Good morning, Neo-Yorkers. You're with Cam Danvers on another NYN Fast Break. Just in: a woman in Chinatown claims she was rescued from a trio of would-be rapists by a masked man wielding some kind of cyber-enhanced baseball bat. What should we call this one? Baseball Boy? Bat-Mandarin? I don't know, I haven't had my coffee yet. The guy should paint his name on walls like Spitfire does. But we do know three drunken men were checked into a nearby hospital with injures that included bruises, broken bones, concussions, and one fractured skull.
We have the pleasure of interviewing the Mayor about the rise of both heat and violence. Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule, Mayor Harrington.
Not a problem, Ms. Danvers. Thanks for having me.
It's certainly been a hot few weeks, hasn't it?
In more ways than one. Temperatures and tempers, it seems.
Speaking of, what's your view on the rise of violence right now?
Well, Ms. Danvers, there's historical proof that violent crime tends to rise when the heat does. Not that it's an excuse. But I've spoken with Commissioner Miller, and he assures me the RCE are doing all they can to deal with the problem. It's important for frustrated citizens to realize that these efforts can take some time to coordinate properly. We ask that you continue to be patient and definitely not take the law into your hands, as some have unfortunately been doing.
So, you don't think vigilante activity is a good idea?
It's definitely not. In fact, more people have been injured or killed since such actions have become more popular. Any competent officer can tell you how much training it takes to combat violent offenders and make the split-second decisions that can save a life or, God forbid, take one. For anyone thinking about taking up arms and dealing with crime in your area, I strongly admonish you to reconsider and allow the proper authorities to do their jobs.
Mayor, you campaigned under the slogan A Man of Vision. What's your honest estimate of how well you're implementing that vision right now?
I'm glad you asked that question, Ms. Danvers. The short answer is: not well. Obviously, the skyrocketing crime is not something I'm proud of and flies in the face of promises I made on my campaign. But the long answer is: change takes time. And I promise the voters that the wait will be worth it. My vision for this city is highly ambitious, something not very popular with my colleagues in City Hall at the moment.
Ah, the shoe drops! So, you believe a clash of ideologies threatens your ability to implement your agenda?
Let's just say there are many people with deep pockets who prefer to keep things at the status quo. But rest assured, I strongly believe that we will come to an accord and do what's best for the people. I'm still a man of vision, and if the people are patient for just a little longer, they'll enjoy the benefits.
We'll take you at your word, Mayor. Thanks again for your time.
Thank you, Ms. Danvers.
In other news: your local forecast is in. And if you guessed more blistering heat, you're betting with house money. Wonder why the hellish temperatures have an effect on the rising crime wave? Expert psychoanalyst Wesley Bearden answers that question right after the commercial break.
Ronnie Banks smiled as she exited from her RCE aerodyne into the sweltering heat. The Youth Haven was one of the few places that didn't have a disaster waiting for her to sort through. It was one of the few projects that had gone through without a hitch. The situation with the disgraced Denizens and the damaged children that needed immediate care got the attention of the media and City Hall, allowing for the renovation of an old hospital wing into a safe place for children. From there it only grew, taking on more wings and improving the existing facilities. She was proud of the work that had been accomplished in just a few short months. She enjoyed hearing the laughter of the children, seeing the smiles on their faces.
And she didn't mind seeing Jett either.
She hated to admit it. After swearing off relationships and burying herself in work, she figured she wouldn't have to bother sorting out her feelings until she was too old and cranky to care. But with Jett, things were different. He was different.
It started with his visits to the hospital when she was mending from her injuries. He didn't have to bother, but he did. Dropped by, made her smile with a corny joke or two, then left. It was enough to make a difference, enough to make her think about him afterward. So after healing up, she returned the act by dropping by the YH occasionally. Not often, but enough. She sensed he was fumbling his way along just like she was. Hesitant but sure. Slow but steady.
She paused by the entrance, watching him work with a group of children in the newly-installed basketball court. He towered over them like a mountain of chiseled muscle, but none of the kids were intimidated. They laughed, jumping at the ball he held out of their reach while patiently trying to teach them the game. All the running and shrieking should have been taxing on his patience, but he was inexhaustible. Arranging them into teams, he finally got them to play a chaotic form of the game, looking on with a satisfied smile.
She walked onto the court, giving him an appraising look. "Gotta say, you have a way with kids."
He turned around, sweat sliding down his square-jawed face, plastering his shirt to his muscular chest. "Hey, Ronnie. Snuck up on me."
"Well, with all the noise, it's no wonder. You have more patience than I do, I think."
"No, I think you'd do great. It's just a matter of putting yourself in their shoes. Not forgetting what it was like to be their age."
"Their age." She looked at the children as they ran back and forth across the court, not seeming to mind the heat that baked the concrete so fiercely that the air rippled. "Seems like a long time ago. Wish I had a place like this when I was growing up. Would have made things a lot easier."
"Yeah, I remember you saying you were an orphan. Pretty rough, I bet."
"Yeah. Pretty rough." She caught his empathetic gaze and quickly changed the subject. "So — why basketball? Wearing them out in the heat so they'll be tired later?"
He laughed. "Not so much. Sports are a good way for them to develop teamwork and sportsman skills. Things that can bleed over to other aspects of their life."
"Oh, really? And here I thought it was all about making heaps of money, fame, and adoring fans."
"Someone's been watching the archives."
"Yeah. That kind of stuff fascinates me. The amount of wealth something like that generated…" She shook her head. "It's mind-boggling to think of. You know — you were there."
"Yeah, but that was different. We just considered it the way of things. Hundreds of billions were spent on entertainment while the education system languished and health care skyrocketed. To say we had our priorities twisted would be an understatement. The age of Imperials changed all of that, though. What was an athlete compared to a superhuman? The entire spectrum of celebrity culture transformed."
She could only shake her head. "I still don't understand how you manage, Jett. To go through all you did: Imperials, Cataclysm, stasis — most people wouldn't be able to function, much less flourish."
His gaze dropped. "It was rough at first. Not just rough — it was hell. But having something to focus on, goals to work toward — that makes a huge difference."
"Yeah, I'm glad you took the job too. You've done outstanding work so far."
He looked up, blinking. "The job? Oh yeah, it's been good. No complaints."
"So why not commit full-time? You could have an on-site residence, get out of the Warrens…"
A smile flashed across his face. "What, you don't care for my plush apartment?"