bestfiction Chapter 213 Bewitching People
Chapter 213 Bewitching People
Upon hearing the word "transportation," Patrick's temper flared up instantly!
"Damn it! You're here to pick a fight with me again, aren't you?!"
Patrick slammed his hand on the table, the veins on his neck throbbing, as if he were about to have a stroke.
"You know perfectly well that the city hall's account has neither a budget nor sufficient staff!"
This morning I just had a huge argument with those bloodsuckers at the city council over adjusting a few crappy bus routes! And now you're giving me this trouble again?!
"This matter must be pushed forward immediately! At all costs!"
Allen refused to budge, forcefully pushing the report forward.
"At least, please take a look at the conclusions of this report!"
"Hmph! Trying to intimidate me with this? Do you think I'm some kind of liberal arts student who's easy to bully and can't understand your scribbles?"
Patrick sneered.
"It's obvious that these few pages of tattered paper are filled with your self-important, academically-minded numbers and incomprehensible formulas!"
"You'll understand once you see it." Allen forcefully pushed the report right in front of him.
Patrick glanced at it, cursing under his breath.
With just one glance, his gaze seemed to be glued on.
The first page of the report, without any obscure theoretical groundwork, directly and bluntly presents a visually striking conclusion:
[Traffic congestion in downtown Boston will plummet by 37% within six months of the system's launch!]
"..."
A brief silence fell over the office.
37%?!
What kind of international joke is this?!
Everyone in the world knows what Boston's traffic is like. If it could decrease by 3.7%, the mayor should be incredibly grateful. And you're telling me it'll decrease by 37%?!
Patrick's previously disdainful gaze instantly changed. As if possessed, he grabbed the report and eagerly turned to the next page.
The report contains no obscure formulas; it's all data presented from a politician's perspective.
Detailed charts based on Boston's real transportation network simulation, and comparative curves accurately depicting the precipitous drop in expected congestion indices during different commuting hours.
The seasoned politician frowned deeply, his eyes filled with suspicion and uncertainty.
"Is this some kind of Halloween prank? Or did you make up these figures to cheat on the budget?!"
"This is the core model designed by MIT's top research team!"
Allen met the mayor's gaze without flinching.
"As the deputy director of Boston Transportation, I was only responsible for using my decades of professional experience to evaluate the feasibility of this model in the real urban environment of Boston."
"Don't be naive! You academics simply don't understand the harsh realities of life!"
Patrick slammed the report down.
"Do you really think that the millions of people and vehicles in this city will obediently operate like the curves on these few pieces of paper?!"
"Mr. Mayor."
Allen braced his hands on the desk, leaning forward, staring intently into the mayor's eyes, his scholarly pride on full display.
"Do you think I, Alan Smith, am some kind of idiot who only talks the talk but doesn't walk the walk?"
Overwhelmed by the almost insane sense of oppression, Patrick averted his gaze, picked up the report again, and shrank back into the large leather sofa.
"I'm not stupid, Allen. The data in your report..."
Such an incredible, almost magical thing simply doesn't exist in reality.
"It not only exists, it's right on your desk."
"Anyone can talk the talk, walk the walk!" Patrick's emotions surged again.
"If this damn radical project fails, paralyzing the entire city..."
You can simply pack your bags, write a 'failure summary,' and go back to your university to continue being a respected researcher!
But what about me?! As the mayor who signed and endorsed it, my political career is completely over!
I'll become the laughingstock of all of Boston! The voters' spittle will drown me!
"This is a mathematically and logically sound and impeccable feasible theory!"
Mayor! All you can think about right now is how to clean up the mess after this failure...
Have you even taken a single second to imagine what would happen if it succeeded? What would the consequences be?
"...What do you mean? Explain yourself clearly."
"Patrick, look me in the eyes."
Allen stared at him, lowering his voice like a seductive devil.
"Are you really planning to spend your whole life huddled in this tiny Boston mayor's office, playing golf in front of the hole?"
hum!
These words seemed to have a magical power; Patrick suddenly sat up straight, his pupils contracting sharply.
"What exactly are you trying to say?!"
"A strong-willed mayor who, with swift and decisive measures, completely and cleanly resolved Boston's century-old, hellish traffic problem..."
Allen spoke slowly and deliberately, as if sketching a crown.
"Isn't this kind of political resume enough for you to run for governor, senator, or even... a higher position in Washington?!"
boom!
It was as if a thunderbolt had exploded in Patrick's mind!
"Once this project is implemented, you will become famous throughout the country overnight in just six months!"
All the citizens of Boston and all the media will idolize you as a savior!
They will remember you as a great reformer who made outstanding contributions and dared to break with convention!
Every word Allen said precisely struck the most sensitive nerve of politicians.
Ambition is the best aphrodisiac for politicians.
The huge mayor's office fell into a deathly silence.
Only the ticking of the metal stopwatch echoed.
In Patrick's eyes, greed, ambition, and fear were frantically intertwined and battling.
His hands trembled as he picked up the report from the table again.
This time, his gaze changed completely; he looked with extreme care, not even missing a single punctuation mark.
It was as if those weren't just a few pieces of paper, but a golden ticket to the pinnacle of power.
After a long while, he raised his head and took a deep breath.
"Allen, I know you're an honest man who values your reputation."
So, tell me honestly... is this thing even practically applicable?!
"If you grant me full authority, I am 99 percent certain," Allen said firmly.
"What full authority?" Patrick immediately became alert.
"All the budget, personnel appointments, and administrative power required for this project must be handed over to me for overall command and control!"
If you get stuck with those idiots on the committee or the city council’s nauseatingly complicated approval process, even God couldn’t get it done!
Of course, during this period, all the pressure from external media and political opponents also needs to be withstood by you, the mayor, on my behalf.
Patrick gasped, his expression one of utter disbelief as if he were looking at a madman.
"Do you want me to be publicly executed on a cross in a public square?"
If anything goes wrong, those people in parliament will tear me apart alive!
"To conquer the world, you have to invest heavily. I will absolutely deliver a result that satisfies you and all Bostonians!"
Snapped!
Without saying a word, Allen pulled out a pre-prepared document from a hidden compartment in his briefcase and slammed it onto his desk.