Warming The Cold One - 22. There is chili on what?

Exactly thirty minutes later, Owen went up to the microphone to address everyone. “Attention! This council is now back in session. Please return to your seats.” It took just a few minutes, and the room was seated again. “Thank you all. Before we take any formal action on the request we just heard, it has been decided that there will be a period of open discussion. No time will be needed. Please don’t yell at each other. Use the microphones and do not talk over each other. The floor is now open.”

Small pockets of whispering started immediately. A younger looking lady grab one of the floor mics. “Where the hell is he getting his information from? Come walking in here making it sound like I don’t pay a thing. It’s not all 5-star meals and fine clothes. I have a family to support.”

An older man grabs one of the other mics. “Deirdre, calm down. That is not what he is saying. He is saying that Zechariah isn’t cutting a check directly to pay for your three personal office assistants. I know that Tobias DOES have to pay my one assistant that is shared with my whole office.”

Deirdre starts to look even more upset. “Cooper, stop being drama. Just because you are too cheap to get a decent staff doesn’t mean you have to put down mine.”

“Little girl, I know you don’t know any better being raised in Oakland, California with social media as the only thing to do but cool it.” Cooper was doing his best not to get overly angry. “I don’t have the space for more people nor the money. I think it is about time that this issue gets taken care of.”

“Did you just tell me to cool it?” Deirdre is fed up with this old white dude telling her what to think. “Olav, you speak old white dude. Tell your northern neighbor to slow his roll.”

Olav Thorbjornsen sighed. He really didn’t want to get into this argument but now that he was called out, he stood up. He turned toward Deirdre first. “First of all, Deirdre, shut up for a second and actually listen to your fellow councilmember. Second, I have seen Cooper’s office. It is the size of your coat closet because that is all that is available to him, I’ve looked. His pack up in Kitwanga, BC is three times bigger than yours down in Oakland.” He turned toward Cooper now. “Third, I’ve never heard of a clan head paying for things directly. All my staff is paid from the council and always has been. Makes it sound like they are getting double paid.” He quickly added. “I’m not saying they are. I’m just saying it looks suspect.”

Hawk stood up and decided it was now or never. “I can top all of that.” The room all turned toward him. “As you know, I just started as my pack’s rep because we didn’t have one. It wasn’t because we didn’t want one. We were told we couldn’t have one.”

A middle-aged gentleman jumped to his feet. “What do you mean ‘you couldn’t have one’?”

“I’m glad you asked.” Hawk turned to address him. “The pack I have been in since I was a small child was told numerous times that unless we could afford to pay an office the size of Deirdre’s, we couldn’t send anyone.”

Cooper turned to Hawk. “What clan is your pack?”

“We were a Celtic pack until the American clan returned. Master Tala and Master Tobias came to see my alpha and some lies were exposed. My alpha decided to return our pack to American control. Most of us have at least 40-50% American clan lineage so it was only right. It was then that I was selected to come and represent.” Hawk turned to Cooper. “Does that answer your question?”

Cooper looked satisfied but Olav was not. “So, Hawk, what is your experience now? Does Master Tobias’s claims have any weight?”

Hawk turned to Olav. “More than you know. You want to fuss over who is paying for staff? How about who is paying for the office I use? Who is paying for the hotel room I live in because there is nowhere else to go?”

Someone across the room shouted. “That is a line if I’ve ever heard one. You just don’t want to live in the pack condo.”

Cooper turned to the heckler and frowned. “Then why do I have to pay for an apartment if there are pack condos, Ivan?” Cooper turned to Rolf. “Master Rolf, do you live in council owned or provided housing?”

All eyes turned to Rolf. He stood up uncomfortably. “No, I have never lived in council owned or provided housing. I rented an apartment at my expense and then when I joined the senior council, Master Tobias bought me a house and I took over the mortgage after five years. At no point was I ever offered any sort of amenities listed in Master Tobias’s report.”

The chamber went quiet for a whole minute. Rolf spoke up again. “Ivan, can you produce a report for the council? I want a list of what packs are in council housing, how much real estate the council controls for housing, and how much is still available. Also, I want a break down of costs and who pays them.” Looking around the room.” “Can I get the same report from staffing management, building management and, the network teams? I will enter it all into evidence so that we can all see if these allegations have merit.”

Raul and Ulrik both nodded their heads in agreement. Ulrik spoke to the group next. “In light of the research needed, I move that we adjourn until all the reports have been compiled and Master Tobias’s evidence is tendered to the council.”

Bjorn stood. “I will second that motion.”

“We have a motion and a second to adjourn.” Owen looked over the chamber. “All in favor, please see aye.” Most of the room said aye. “The motion carries. We are adjourned until the point all requested reports are submitted. Please check your email for the date and time we will meet again.”

“Of all the places you could want to go, you want chili for lunch?” Jay was looking at Tala like he was crazy.

“The Cincinnati area is famous for it’s chili and there is no other place in my mind to go than to Skyline Chili.” Tala was looking to Hawk for support. “Don’t you both want to have a ‘3-Way’ with me?”

Hawk snapped his head to look Tala in the eye. “Oh, hell no! How can you ever think I would ever want to do that with you?”

Jay busted out laughing. “You know what he is talking about, right?”

“I know exactly what he is talking about and the double meaning it has tied to it.” Hawk stared at Tala hard. “I do not, ever, want chili over spaghetti.”

Tala sighed. “Fine, where do you want to go then?”

Hawk smiled an evil grin. “Oh, I’m having chili. It’s just going to be about four chili dogs, fully loaded.” Hawk turned to Jay. “For the joke you made, I have to hope that Jay hot boxes you tonight.”