The whole town was a buzz.
He was coming.
Today.
We gathered in the town centre, a huge crowd, expectant, excited, as one we strain forward to catch a glimpse of their hero the community’s local member.
I voted for him, as did every one else.
Women swooned in his presence; they became speechless when he spoke to them.
He stood before us, his smile one his orthodontist would be proud of, his skin tanned to just the right shade of fashionable tannedness, his suit an impeccable cut, everything about him gave you the impression of his artificiality.
Of course underneath it all there was a man. One who breathed and slept just like the rest of us but with a charisma none of us would ever attain.
His entry to the podium was greeted with wild cheering and applause. His visits were rare; we were ready to be regaled by his rhetoric.
My dear friends, blah blah blah blah.
Applause
It is such a pleasure to be here among you today. Blah, blah, blah, blah.
Deafening applause.
In the past year so much has been achieved for our town. Blah, blah, blah, blah.
Thunderous applause.
I know I have your full support. Blah, blah, blah, blah.
Loud cheering.
Together we will bring about a change, which will blah, blah, blah, blah.
Raucous cheering.
Our government is doing this all for you…blah, blah, blah, blah
Standing ovation.
Together we can all move forward…. blah, blah, blah, blah.
A chant breaks out…..Tony, Tony, Tony Tony……
Are there any questions for our local member?
A small woman stands up, her dress is torn, her face marked by the struggles she has faced in life.
Is it true Sir that under your government the rich will get richer and the poor poorer?
Sit down is the cry and she is hushed into oblivion. The buzz of the room one of elation, the smell electoral victory fills the air.
A man stands, his hair grey, his hands shake.
Is it true Sir that your Government is doing nothing to stop child sexual abuse?
Sit down is the cry. You are embarrassing the member.
Two children stand, together they stand holding hand as a sign of their unity.
Is it true Sir that you are taking money away from my school and giving more to the wealthy school in town?
Sit down is the cry. He is more important than your school.
The member stands before his faithful. He bows and accepts their accolades but his eyes betray the concern over the questions asked.
In his mind he prays no one will press him on any of the questions. To save face he continues his smile, his teeth at the forefront of his Cheshire grin.
He delays for a moment, nods to his aids, a way is cleared, he exits hurriedly.
He is bundled into his car just as the words hit him: ‘You have no answer do you, we have exposed you, your fancy words and your fancy suit can’t hide your pretence. You are nothing.’
Written for: https://mindlovemiserysmenagerie.wordpress.com/2015/01/08/the-emperors-new-clothes-tale-weaver/
Morpethroad 
The story of too many of our politicians … far too many …. if only more people had the courage of the small woman in the torn dress!!!!! Sadly, here in the US anyway, there will be a squad to carefully cover up those questions with disinformation. [smhs]
I like it Michael — thanks for writing for the challenge.
Sorry about the Linky —- I can’t get it to work at all and have been trying off and on all day.
Thanks Jen, I had lunch today with a mate and was telling him about this challenge and he made reference to our current politicians and I went from there.
Sounds quite logical!
I was thinking about the recent terror attacks too. Andersen is a very tame “Emperor”; yours is more sinister; and the Emperor terrorist is vicious. But they still don’t realize that they’re naked.
Exactly.
Got my courage up this evening and wrote about it in a tanka. Here’s the link, if you’re interested — feel free to delete the link though 🙂
http://blogitorloseit.com/2015/01/09/spikes-and-spears-tanka/
Bravo … this is not only well written but all too pertinent .. thanks for a great write! And if I can load it (haven’t been too lucky so far) will try to see if Mr. Linky is working and if not fix it … will let you know.
Thank you Georgia it was a great challenge.
Particularly relevant with the news yesterday that Cameron is finding excuses not to do televised debates! You should repost this in May, after the elections – whatever the outcomes!!
True, it applies I think in most political systems.
You have really hit on dark truth
Thank you Yves, I think it is fairly universal.
Nods heads, no matter the politics, they stand smile sweetly and spew out bullshite. 😛
So true, thanks for the comment Jenny.
The Blahs are so appropriate to this story. Sounds like too many known politicians.
I thought the blah was a universal language.