POGUE PRINCESS

89: Two Halves

THE POGUES were stuck at the bottom of the food chain. The government was changing zones, meaning the unprivileged would inevitably get kicked out of their homes and businesses; their property would be gifted to the rich and new rules would take place in these zones.

Rory knew the Kooks would invade the Cut one day, it was just a matter of time.

The girl held hands with Sarah as a gathering of Kooks and Pogues made their way towards the court room. Rory glanced at JJ, who was giving a friendly salute to Kiara's dad; Mike still had a problem with the twins and Rory couldn't figure out why. Mr Carrera was once a Pogue, so she didn't understand how he could so easily forget that.

"Ignore him, J." Rory said, before muttering, "He's an asshole." She turned to Sarah, who was waving at a blonde baby; Rory smiled at Sarah.

The court was split into two halves: Pogues and Kooks, like always. Rory managed to ignore Topper and his friends, even when they kept calling her name to get her attention; her goal was to not lose her shit in front of the Mayor and police officers.

The Mayor continued, "Before we move on with the rest of our agenda, I want to remind everyone to maintain civility and decorum. We're one island. Why don't we try to act like it. Any disruption will warrant expulsion and potential charges."

A Council Member, Lawrence, added, "Thank you, Mr Mayor. Agenda 8A, ordinance 31, zoning for property located at the end of Roger's Point Road. We have a resolution from the town of Pelican expressing support for the rezoning."

Pope whispered, "Wait, did they say they already have a resolution?"

"What does that mean?" Rory frowned in confusion.

Sarah whispered, holding Rory's hand in her lap, "They're already voting."

The Council Member explained, "The Council is voting to recommend allocating the amount of $60,000 to begin to transition this property and rezoning request."

Another member of the council nodded, "I'd like to say, uh, we are lucky to have the help of Mr Zeasy, who had helped develop the Island and been a good resource for us." He gestured to the man in the front row seats; the same man that came to their shop and gave them the rezoning notice.

The Mayor announced, "Before we move on, we are scheduled to hear from some members of the community,  beginning with a representative from the occupants of Roger's Point property, which used to be the Maybank property."

"Anyone feeling brave?" Kiara whispered.

"In front of this many Kooks?" Rory declined quietly, "Nope." 

"I will." JJ suggested, standing up quickly, though Rory pulled him to sit back down, "Ror—"

"Whoa, no." His sister insisted, "Not you. Sit down."

"Not me then." JJ mused, "Then who?"

Kiara suggested, "Pope."

"No way, I hate public speaking." The boy refused, then volunteered, "John B."

"Yeah, you got this." Kiara nodded reassuringly, as the boy hesitantly raised his hand.

"Yeah, John B!" The gathering of Pogues erupted into cheers, as the boy made his way towards the front of the courtroom.

The Mayor cleared his throat, "Please state your name for the record."

The boy tapped the microphone in front of him, "John Booker Routledge." He paused, "I'm not a Lawyer, by any standard, but this doesn't make any sense. I mean, we bought the property at auction, and we have a fully functioning business and have had for some time. And now you have a motion for rezoning our property? And if it passes, we lose our business. And our home."