Open Writing

‘The first thing to make clear is this. We don’t want Costa as our candidate. He has a record of shonky union practices that make him an undesirable representative for us. We’re a bit more sophisticated these days. Look, tattooed ears, sleeveless shirts, roaring around in a noisy old banger is not the image we’re after, is it? Our problem is, if we don’t nominate him as our candidate, he’ll probably stand as an Independent. If his union comes out and supports him, let’s face it...he could win.’

Bill Wright, campaign manager for the Progressive Party was addressing his By-Election Committee, The Progressive Party Opposition desperately wanted to win but they had a huge problem. Big Con Costa, the union president living in the area wanted endorsement for this by-election.

Dragging on a cheap cigar Bill Wright continued, ‘I wouldn’t trust him the length of a shovel. If the Government made him the right promises, he’d support them. With the House now equally divided a win here will let us take Government at least six months earlier than general election.'

Wright’s worst nightmare came true. When Con Costa heard he would not be the Progressive Party candidate he exploded, 'I'll stand as an Independent. My union members will work their butts off for me. They know I get results for them. Youse can all go to hell.' Con had a minimum education but was bursting at the seams with street-wise cunning. 'I'll win without ya,' he boasted.

He did.He pushed only one policy during his campaign. He concentrated on the growing demand in the electorate that the old two-lane bridge, over the river at the edge of town, needed upgrading. The huge transports using the highway through town were causing traffic problems because of delays at the bridge. The hold-ups annoyed everyone. Every letter-box in town received a pamphlet telling them that Con would fix the problem!

He squeezed into office with the help of a number of ‘dead votes.’ Con knew how easy it was to get a few more votes. His supporters had combed the newspaper death notices for the last year and found those still on the roll. Then they beat other candidates' supporters into the booths so they could vote in the names of these dead people.

Con now held the balance of power in Parliament. 'I certainly showed the Party they're not invincible,' he mumbled to his wife, as they travelled home after a big celebration.

The weather was abominable. Rosa was giving full attention to her driving in the atrocious conditions. Driving curtains of rain struck the car's windscreen and hailstones clattered on the roof. The wheels flung up cascades of water. Only people with a real need were out on such a night.

Suddenly, there was a bump as the car struck something in the storm. Rosa let out an involuntary scream and hit the brakes.

'Keep goin.' yelled Con. sitting up quickly and spilling cigar ash over his new cardigan. 'It was probably only a rock on the road. I sure don't want to talk to anybody tonight.'

Con had enough savvy to know what the media would do to him if he was caught drunk..

'We should have stopped’, protested Rosa. We might have been able to help someone or something.'

'No, it wasn't that kind of bump'

'What do you mean? One bump’s the same as another. You’re just trying to ease your conscience.'

Con’s lack of concern upset Rosa. ‘You’re a callous bastard at times,Con. If those people who voted for you today really knew you, there’s no way you would have won.'

After they arrived home, Con wobbled around the car and looked for damage. He found nothing to worry him.

Early next morning, still half asleep, Con answered a strident telephone.

‘Is that Con Costa?'

'Yes, who's that?'

'Con, I followed your car through the storm last night. With those Vote 1 Costa stickers all over the car and your personal plate, COSTA, it’s easy to recognise. I saw your car hit and kill a valuable pedigree sheep dog; an Australian Champion actually. You didn't stop, Con, and that's a crime! Not a good start for a new law-maker is it?’

Who the hell are you?'

‘You’ll know soon enough. Meet me at 2am tomorrow morning near the water fountain in City Park. Bring three grand with you. Maybe that’ll quieten the dog's owner. We don't want to abort a new career before it blasts off do we? Make sure you come alone.'

Con slammed the receiver down. Dragging a cigarette from the packet he tapped it savagely on the side of the box before lighting up. He inhaled deeply. The blackmailing telephone call infuriated him.

Never one to squib a fight, Con decided to keep the appointment. 'Whoever he is, he don't know me very well' he told Rosa when he briefed her about the phone call. ‘He’s in for a bloody shock if he thinks I bluff so easily.’
\
In the early hours of the next morning the weather was still foul. Wind was whistling around town buildings and plastic garbage bins spiralled along the roadway. Huddled against the rain, Con approached the meeting place. A cruising taxi splashed through a puddle of water causing him to jump backwards quickly. Con stifled an obscenity as the cab moved out of range.

Standing by the fountain, every nerve in his body straining to be alert, Con heard footsteps crunching on the gravel path. Peering into the darkness he made out the figure of a tall man approaching, with one hand holding a felt hat on his head against the wind.

‘That you Con?’

‘Yeah. Who are you?’

‘It doesn’t matter. If you want a name, call me Tom. I’m here with a proposition for you. I have full authority to speak for the Government’

‘Well, spit it out. This is a bloody cold place for a meeting.'

‘We have to be sure our meeting is secret and this seemed like a good time and place.’

‘What d’ya want me to do?’

‘You might be a new member of the House, Con, but you’ve been around politics for a long time. You know the way the smoke curls in these matters The election is due within six months and we still have more legislation to pass which will help us with the electorate. All we want from you is that you don’t vote to force an election before the end of the year.’

‘My supporters want your mob out. What do they get for keeping you there?’

‘We won’t run a candidate against you at the election.’

‘Big Deal!’

‘You’ll only have to beat the Progressive Party candidate and you know you can do that. You’ve just done it!’

Con thought for a moment.‘I want a public announcement that the two lane bridge across the river in my electorate will be enlarged to six lanes and work will commence before the election.’

‘They told me you’d be a hard bastard to negotiate with.’

‘As you said Tom, if that’s ya bloody name, I’ve been around a while. Make the announcement when Parliament meets or you’re out on your Khyber. Another thing. What about the bloody dog and the 3000 dollars?’

‘Forget it. There was no dog; your wife hit the edge of the centre garden bed.’

Con permitted a wry smile to cross his lips. ‘OK, make the bridge announcement and you’ll get an easy ride for six months from me. Another thing you should know. There was no way you were getting any money outa me.’

The same night, as Con and Rosa sat down to have their pizza dinner, the phone rang again. Con immediately recognised the voice of Bill Wright, the bloke who had prevented him getting Progressive Party nomination for the seat he’d just won.

‘It’s Bill Wright, Con. Congratulations on your win.’

‘It’d be nice if you meant it!’

‘It’s genuine Con. We’ll be glad to have you in the House. We know you’ll be on our side. The Opposition has asked me to speak to you about the coming election. You know the polls are running our way and we reckon they’ll continue that way for the next six months. The Government knows it too and may want to have an early election. The Progressive Party wants you to ignore any offers they might make to bring on an early poll.’

‘You’ve got some front. A week ago you didn’t want to know me, now you’re asking for favours.’

‘It’s not all one-sided, Con. We have an attractive offer for you.’

‘Let’s hear it. It’ll need to be good cos I’m ready to dump on you lot.’

‘We won’t run a candidate against you at the election. You’ll only have to beat the Government candidate and you know you can do that. You’ve just done it!’

‘Bloody big deal. You’ll need to better that. I want a guarantee that your crowd will rebuild the two lane bridge in my electorate as a six lane crossing.’

‘That’s no problem, Con. It’s already our policy to do that.’

‘I want a public announcement within a week and you’ll get an easy ride from me for six months. I want my supporters to know something is going to happen.’

‘You have my word for it.’

Bill Wright felt well satisfied with his talk to Con.

Con hung up the phone and grinned at Rosa. 'I reckon this is what those smart buggers call a win-win. The Government don’t want an election for six months and will build our bridge to see that’s how it happens. The Opposition don’t want an election for six months and they’ll build the bridge, too. I certainly don’t wanna call the boys out again under six months and we’ll get a bridge for waiting. I didn’t know ‘playing politics’ could be so easy!’