Council Meeting, Rated T
Council meetings were never fun, but they were always interesting, Melanie mused bitterly. They all either sat around the table in third used for these meetings or were pacing the room it was in. The issue of the day was about what to do with criminals-lockup just didn't have nearly enough space needed.
She leaned back in her chair, closing her eyes in a futile attempt to ward off the inevitable headache forming at the ceaseless back and forth argument going on-mostly between Layton, Miss Audrey, and Ruth. Till, Jinju, and some of the others on the council-such as Melanie-knew better than to get involved. It didn’t make the shouting less annoying to listen to, though.
“We need to keep making examples when these things happen,” Ruth insisted, “It’s harsh, but it must be done.”
“We’re not taking any more arms,” Miss Audrey’s voice was firmer.
“Or putting people in drawers without their consent,” Layton’s voice sounded agitated, “There are cars that aren’t in use that can be turned into a temporary solution.”
“Melanie considered that before, you know,” Ruth rolled her eyes, exasperated.
“Melanie?” Layton turned to her, and the headache pulsed.
“It’s not an easy problem to solve,” she admitted, carefully, “The drawers were the best solution because it let us test our lifeboats. And Wilford’s order was to take arms. But if you think that there’s another viable solution, I can get someone to help you build it.”
“You don’t seriously agree with him, do you?” Ruth was also agitated now.
“I never wanted any of this, Ruth,” Melanie’s voice was small, quiet, “I agree that if there are other solutions we should take them.”
“That didn’t stop you before,” Miss Audrey pointed out, giving Melanie an assessing look.
“No,” Melanie agreed, “It didn’t. But that doesn’t mean we can’t change and be better than the mistakes I’ve made. We still need to test the drawers, so we need to give that as an option-but it no longer has to be that or amputation.”
Miss Audrey nodded, absorbing her words. Melanie knew her well enough by now to know that the other woman was satisfied with her answer.
“Okay,” Layton nodded, “Let’s take it to a vote then?”
In the end, they decided that corporal punishment would not be used-except in the cases of repeat violent offenders, and that along the same line, the drawers would only be used in the cases of people who consented or repeat violent offenders who might be useful.
It was a start.