Beach break [Cove Merrick's Mayoral speech]

COVE MERRICK
district four mayor candidate

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Cove studied the crowd, his hands gripping the sides of the podium. Papers neatly stacked in front of him, bullet points stating what his heart would expel, but he'd done the speech over and over in front of his wife just the night before. His son gave him pointers from when he had to do a recent presentation in front of his class while his daughter giggled at the prospect of her dad goofing up the speech with facial expressions as lovely as a sunfish. He ran a hand through his ocean kissed hair. Saltwater ran through his veins and while he stepped upon the platform barefooted, he knew the crowd would wonder.

A gentle wave to the people as their voices calmed and he stood where his competitors had already stood, or would stand moments after he descended the stage. For the moment, it was his. This was the biggest wave he had ever faced and his heart beat faster with such joyful anticipation. "Good evening my fellow district four citizens. Cove Merrick is my name, and I'm sure you've heard about me over the years of surfing and teaching the youth and I would definitely say it is an absolute honor to be representing this district today as I stand here."

A list of names decorated a page in font of him and as his right hand picked the list up he stepped away from the podium. "One question you might be asking is why is a mayor candidate barefooted?" Cove chuckles lightly, shining a hidden smile. "Well, I'll tell you now, I vow to never hide anything from you. I want the people of this district to be well informed and to know what is going on in their own home, as open as the ocean, and my toes." He clears his throat stifling a soft chuckle, looking to various faces in the crowd. A few he recognized and a lot that he hadn't, but the challenge of getting to know the people even further only fueled the hopeful future of his career.

"That's why I plan for the education of this district to be as important as it is their career training." He listened to the silent voices clambering. "How many of our children do not get reaped? How many make it so much of a challenge to train that they forget that they also will have a life beyond the games? I pledge to you all that I will make it so that it is equal parts of the curriculum. We want our community to thrive and what better way with furthering our children through education?"

A simple momentary pause as his eyes shifted to the paper. "I also wanted to share to you a story - something a little off topic, but something I think we all need. Does anyone remember Windy Mathers?" He paused, wondering. "I do. She was my first real friend in this district. Taught me how to fish. Taught me how to teach others. She was only fourteen. Windy died in the 54th games when I was eleven. Broke my heart. Mizar Roxen? Joselle Brookewater? What about Ewe Saw? Bailey Spenser? Fitz. Penelope? Dymas." A few chuckles escaped through the crowd. "Yes, mushroom boy. I remember them all, you know why? Because I knew each and every one of them personally. Through this ritual of life in this ocean clad district, I knew every single one of them, but what I want district four to do is to remember them all."

Cove stepped forward to the crowd looking to the participants. Some of them children but mostly adults. A few that had endorsed him stood near and peacekeeper Kinos nodding to him. "I don't want any tribute, be it past or future games, to ever be forgotten and whether I am elected to be your mayor or not, I plan to erect a memorial in honor of those that paid the ultimate sacrifice for us. We owe them that much and with your help, I will do more to protect and enrich this worthy district. Thank you."