Leo picked up the remote and turned on the TV screen on the wall.
A news channel was playing on the screen.
In the center of the frame was Allegany County Executive Brandon Bowman. He stood at a podium before the county council, his spirits high as he faced a barrage of camera flashes.
"Fellow citizens, we have endured a long and cold winter!" Bowman cried into the microphone. "Those greedy pharmaceutical giants tried to cut off our lifeline, tried to force us to submit by cutting off our medicine! Just when we were on the brink of despair, it was Mayor Wallace who stood up."
Bowman raised his right hand and pumped it forcefully.
"He didn't back down! He withstood the pressure from Washington and tore through the blockade set up by the insurance companies! He put insulin that costs tens of US dollars into the hands of our elderly."
"He got the factory smokestacks billowing white smoke again! He is the guardian of this city!"
The crowd below erupted in thunderous applause.
