SC23 INT. MAYORS OFFICE, OLD MONTREAL – DAY

Karine Boucher, mid 40s, elegant, smart, stylish, is the first female Mayor in the history of Montreal. Newly elected, she campaigned on the promise of putting an end to corruption at city hall. She knows that to make this work, she needs to at least give that outward impression. Kirk Stein enters her office and closes the door. She is his other main client. Karine is at her desk and her mild mannered husband Ronson is standing across from her. Do you have a minute? Yes. He was just leaving. But Ronson, can you please just get out of here? You need to let me work. Ronson lowers his head, nods meekly at both of them and leaves. Everything ok? He is driving me nuts. He wont leave me alone. I don’t have a husband he’s more like a puppy. Don’t be so hard on him. He’s ok. He was good during the election and his family has just the right pedigree. You think I don’t know that? Why do you think he’s still here? Other than that? You’ve got to admit it, things are pretty good? Stein looks around the office. I told you we could do it I never doubted you for a minute my dear, but that doesn’t solve all my problems. What problems? Your book is filling up quickly. Every major player in town wants to meet with you, especially the ones who didn’t support us. Don’t get me wrong, I love it when that happens. Like scared little lambs, now they all come running, but still, I need to get laid. Then go home and spend some time with your husband. Oh please, he couldn’t fuck his way out of a paper bag. I need a real man. It scares me when you talk this way. Lets focus on work. Now that you’re behind that desk, every major player in town wants to come on board with us. Lets take the meetings. We can let them get down on one knee, and hear their proposals. I’ve already got a husband. Haven’t we done enough listening already? If they are going to give me a proposal, I would rather have them down on both knees, with my skirt over their heads. Can you please just be gracious, we are still gonna need some of these guys. I know, but that’s a privilege they will need to earn. If any of them catch my eye, I’m not making any promises. Can you keep an eye on my schedule? I need you to prioritize these meetings. I already have. We need to be smart about it. What do you mean? The majors, we can meet here, but a couple of them are probably better somewhere, less public. Kirk. I know what it means when you say that. I can’t be taking regular meetings in some run down Chinese restaurant. It won’t look right. Nonsense. Even the mayor needs to eat, and it will do wonders for your support in the Asian community. I said no. Figure out another option. Fine, but we need to meet one of them next week. Who is that? His name is Ramsey. He was a major silent contributor to your campaign. Why silent? Which special interest does he represent? He represents himself, but if you need to put your mind at ease, he is loosely connected to the maple syrup lobby, and/or the Jamaican community. Take your pick. Should I be worried about the word loosely? No. He is one of my guys. It will be worth it. We need this guy. Need him for what? Just because we are going to run this city, doesn’t mean we control this city. We need someone who can connect us with the people who do. Anything else? Have you considered what I said last time? Kirk. Let it go. I am not getting my tits done. You need to look at the numbers. My polling indicates that it would give you a nearly 2 point bump across the board. Why would you even be polling that? It’s my job. This is what you pay me for. Kirk, can you just get out of my office? I have real work to do.