Power Play/Dialogue

On the day of your first district council meeting...
Ace walks with you through the majestic corridors of City Hall. Sunlight pours in through the tall windows as your footsteps echo through the hall.
MC: I never thought I'd be walking through City Hall as a member of the Council...
MC: Especially after what it took to win the election. Salvaging the Coalition's party, doing that interview with Max, fixing up lunch to beat the Band...
Ace: You earned this.
MC: So the Council... what am I in for?
Ace: Well, the Council makes things happen with a majority vote. Amendments to previous decisions take a unanimous vote. Disagreements are inevitable.
Ace: But this is a chance for students to make an impact... and, of course, foster unity among seven schools different as night and day.
Ace pauses at the door to the Council conference room. He looks you in the eye.
Ace: You'll do great, MC. You're here for a reason.
MC: Yeah. That reason is you, Ace.
Ace: I think we both know I'm not the only reason...
Ace: I'd say let's get in there and get you acquainted with your fellow council members... but you already know most of them, for better or worse.
MC: Then we should get started.
You and Ace walk into the district council chambers side by side...
You walk into a huge, airy room with a view of the City Hall courtyard. The other council members mingle around a circular conference table.
Ace: Remi! There you are. My favorite Kepler candidate. Well, the only candidate...
Brigette: Hello, MC! It's so good to see you. Ace told me you won the election at your school quite handily.
MC: He... did?
Brigette: Just in passing. And thank you again for that campaign slogan tip, Ace.
Ace: No problem. Happy to help get Athena Academy the best representative it has to offer.
Hearst High's representative walks up, eyeing you and Ace severely.
if Kara broke up with Max in The Victory Banquet
   MC: Kara...?
   Kara: Well, if it isn't MC, the golden child... and you must be Ace.
   Kara: I'm told I have you to thank for a last-second surge of write-in votes that somehow landed me here, even though I wasn't even running for the Council.
   Kara: I suppose I should thank you. The look on Max's face when I won was priceless.
   Ace: All in a day's work.
else
   MC: Kara...
   Kara: Well, if it isn't MC, the golden child... and you must be Ace.
   Kara: I'm told I have you to thank for a last-second surge of write-in votes that somehow landed me here, even though I wasn't even running for the Council.
   Kara: Max wasn't exactly thrilled about it. Thanks for that awkwardness.
   Ace: My apologies. But I think you'll make a better rep than your boyfriend.
   Kara: Hm. Well, so do I. Looks like we're agreeing on things already. Besides, if anyone's going to represent my school, it should be me or Max, not some random loser.
Ace: I've given you quite the opportunity here. I expect your history with MC won't make me regret it.
Kara: I guess we'll see, won't we?
Zero: Ace, my man! You coming to Places for People this weekend?
Ace: Of course. I always have time for philanthropy.
Ace circulates the room and chats with each of the district council members before returning to you.
MC: How do you know everyone on the Council?
Ace: It's called networking, MC. A key part of my strategy.
MC: How do you do it? Making all these connections... it's got to be a lot of work.
Ace: All worth it. I got big dreams, MC.
MC: Like campaign manager for the Commander in Chief?
Ace: Eventually. Right now, I'm gunning for a pretty exclusive internship at the White House. Only the top student from the top school in each district gets a shot at it.
MC: If anyone's going to get it, it'll be you.
Ace: Thanks for the vote of confidence. Come on, let's get everyone introduced.
Once everyone is seated around the conference room table, the introductions begin.
Chelsea: My name's Chelsea, and I'm from Statton School for the Humanities!
Zero: My friends call me Zero. I'm here repping Apollo Academy.
Owen: Owen. I play football for Twin Branches...
Everyone introduces themselves in turn. Finally, Ace gets up.
Ace: Annnd I'm out of here. I look forward to what happens next.
Ace: How well you work together is what makes or breaks this council. Play nice, everyone.
With Ace gone, the Council gets down to business.
MC: I know our schools have had their conflicts before...
Kara: Ha! That's an understatement.
MC: ...but we're in this together now. Why don't we start out with a big celebration for the whole district?
Brigette: Might I suggest some sort of district-wide fundraiser?
Zero: I like that. We'll definitely need funds for any initiatives we want to put into action.
MC: Sounds good to me. Any ideas?
Chelsea: I know exactly what we'll do!
The Council sits around a conference table, brainstorming fundraising ideas for the school district!
Chelsea: Let's put on a theater showcase! The proceeds can go to our performing arts programs.
Brigette: Or perhaps we could do a rose garden walk? They did that at my country club for charity, and it was splendid!
MC: Hey, maybe we could combine that with a bake sale!
Owen: Or... we could do an ultimate frisbee tournament?
Chelsea: Yawn. We should just go with my idea, the theater showcase! Forget that other stuff.
Kara: Hold on. Where do you get off bossing us around?
Chelsea: I'm making sure we do something cool for our first event! What's your problem?
MC: Whoa, hey...
Choice
What do you say?
   Back off, Chelsea!
   Let's all calm down.
if "Back off, Chelsea!" then
   MC: I do like the theater showcase idea, but everyone in this room gets an equal say. Don't steamroll over other people.
   Chelsea: I... I wasn't doing that!
   Chelsea: Whatever. Remi, what about you? Any great ideas from Kepler?
if "Let's all calm down." then
   MC: No one's bossing anyone around. We're just throwing out ideas right now.
   MC: Remi, did you have an idea? What about you, Kara?
Remi shrugs and leans back in his chair, quietly surveying the room. He gestures for you to continue.
After a short discussion...
Chelsea: Come on, you know you want to do the theater showcase. It's obviously our best plan.
Brigette: It certainly has grown on me, and I'd love to see everyone engaged in the dramatic arts!
Kara: I guess it's not the worst plan.
Chelsea: Okay, cool! Let's vote it through right now! All in favor?
Everyone raises their hands. You consider your decision...
Choice
What do you do?
   Vote yes!
   Vote no!
if "Vote yes!" then
   MC: If this is what everyone wants, then I'm in.
   Chelsea: Sweet! A unanimous vote... that's a good beginning for us.
if "Vote no!" then
   You shake your head.
   Chelsea: Majority wins, MC. You knew you were gonna lose anyway. Why are you voting no?
   MC: You forced this through, Chelsea. You didn't give us a chance for a real discussion. I'm not going to just go along with everyone else.
   Chelsea: Fine. Point taken.
Zero: So who's going to host the showcase?
MC: Actually... I'd like to. My school's the newest, and this is a good chance for people to get to know us.
Chelsea: Um, hello? Statton has the best theater program. Shouldn't we be the ones hosting the showcase?
Owen: Nah, MC's school should do it. Newbies first, right?
Zero: There's always next time for Statton. We're going to be doing a lot of these.
Everyone except Chelsea agrees with you. She cuts you a glare from across the room.
Brigette: Then it's decided! MC's school will host the showcase... which I'm certain will be simply phenomenal!
After the meeting, you catch up with Ace in the plaza outside City Hall.
Ace: So? How did it go?
MC: I don't know. Chelsea kept walking all over everyone else! I don't think she meant to do it, but...
MC: We're all so different. How are we going to work together?
Ace: You'll make it happen. I threw my lot in with you because I saw you work your magic. You bring everyone together at your school. Now it's time to do that on the district level.
Ace: Like I said, the election's over. The real politics starts now.
MC: You're right. This fundraiser is my chance to bring everyone closer! I better get my classmates in on this...
Over the weekend, students from all over the district stop by the quad to help your school get ready for the theater showcase!
Nishan: How many sets are we painting? Ten? Twenty? One hundred thousand?
MC: Definitely not that many. Like, twelve?
Nishan: Oh, good. These hands are meant for typing fanfiction, not making vast quantities of art.
Classmate 1: Autumn, what do you think of this paint swatch? It blends into the background perfectly. I feel like I can relate.
Autumn: A monochromatic landscape would bring to mind the shades of grey in societal morality. This could work.
Classmate 2 stomps over, nearly knocking over a paint can!
Classmate 2: Argh! I can't stand it anymore!
MC: Whoa! What's wrong?
Classmate 2: The students from the other schools are not team players! If I have to deal with them for one more second, I'll quit!
MC: Hang on, Classmate 2. There's got to be another way...
Students from other schools have broken into groups to paint set pieces. Classmate 2 scowls at them from across the quad.
Classmate 2: They're all so... clique-y! The Apollo guys had this weird idea for the props, and when I said no, the whole group stopped helping us!
MC: Maybe they thought you didn't want them to...? What about the other schools?
Classmate 2: Oh, don't get me started on Hearst. They won't even talk to us! Everyone's just getting on my nerves!
Classmate 1: I know what you mean. Being around all these people I don't know... it's intimidating! I wish I could fade into the scenery.
MC: That's exactly it! You might be intimidated--
Classmate 2: Or just plain mad.
MC: But so are they! Working with other schools is still new to us... but they're not our rivals anymore.
MC: They're our neighbors.
MC: It's time we all gave each other a chance.
Classmate 2: Ugh, fine. I guess I can give them a second chance.
Classmate 2: Come on, Classmate 1. Let's go talk to them.
Classmate 1: Who, me?
Classmate 2: Yeah, you're my back-up. I'm not doing this alone.
Classmate 2 and Classmate 1 walk across the quad to talk to the other students.
MC: Well, it's a start.
When evening falls, you finish up your theater showcase preparations.
Owen: This is looking good. I think we're ready.
Brigette: With everything in place, your school reminds me of a Shakespeare festival I attended in London last year! You did a good job, MC.
Remi offers you a sheepish smile and a thumbs up.
MC: Thanks... but we all made this happen.
Ace takes the paint can you're holding away from you.
Ace: Go home, MC. I'll handle the clean-up. You've got a big role to play tomorrow.
MC: Huh? But I'm not acting...
Ace: You're in politics now, MC. Close enough.
The next day...
You arrive at school bright and early! Food trucks line the street, and carnival games have been set up around the quad. A large curtained stage is at the center of it all.
Payton: MC! Did you see the food trucks? One of them sells these cute little dinosaur cupcakes! I'm going to take sooooo many food pics.
MC: Save me a cupcake!
Payton: Oh, I almost forgot! Ace says to get to the main stage.
You make your way through the crowd of students coming in through the front gate. Your fellow district council members are already on stage.
Kara: About time. Here, kick things off.
Kara shoves a microphone into your hands. A spotlight shines down on you.
MC: Hey, everyone. Welcome to the first annual district theater showcase! We'll be raising funds for our drama programs today. This is the first of many collaborations between all our schools...
MC: Let the drama begin!
The audience breaks into loud cheers and applause! You run into your classmates backstage.
Classmate 1: I cannot adequately express my gratitude for this chance to tread the boards!
Classmate 1: Actually, I can, but it would be a twelve minute monologue.
Classmate 2: Classmate 1, we have to get out there! It's curtains up in one minute!
You find your seat in the audience with a few of your friends.
MC: Whoa... this place is packed!
Julian: Yeah, it's like every high schooler in the whole county is here! We had to drag out five more rows of chairs just to seat everyone.
Autumn: Shhh! The first play's starting!
The curtains draw back...
The theater showcase is under way! You watch with rapt attention as actors from all over the district perform a scene from Julius Caesar.
On stage, Classmate 2 prepares to stab Classmate 1 with a cardboard dagger!
Classmate 2: Speak, hands, for me!
Julian: Bro, don't do it!
Classmate 2 plunges the dagger between Classmate 1's arm and side! Fake blood splashes out, and Classmate 1 swoons.
Classmate 1: Et tu, Brute! Then fall Caesar.
Mia: Is Caesar seriously narrating his own death? What a weirdo.
MC: I think that's just how Shakespeare plays work.
Several plays later, another group of students take the stage! Hope steps out with a nervous look on her face.
Hope: Uh... this is an original skit by me and Chelsea. It's called 'Revenge on the Ex-Boyfriend'.
Julian: THAT'S MY LITTLE SISTER! GIVE IT TO 'EM, HOPE! DOMINATE!
Hope shoots a vicious glare at Julian. Julian keeps cheering until Mia makes him sit back down.
You notice a few sharply dressed adults in the audience, taking notes as the play begins.
MC: Are those...
Mia: Definitely talent scouts. This might be someone's big break!
After the play, you cross the quad to try out some carnival games. Julian tosses a foam basketball to you.
Julian: Have the first shot, MC.
You heft the basketball in your hand and eye the net...
Choice
What do you do?
   Aim for the net!
   Aim for the ground!
if "Aim for the net!" then
   You step back and throw the ball in a perfect arc. It swishes into the net!
   MC: Okay, was that not the best throw you've ever seen? Don't deny it.
if "Aim for the ground!" then
   You chuck the ball at the ground with all your might! It hits the wall and rebounds back, ricocheting into a nearby booth!
   MC: Uh, whoa. Did not mean to do that.
   Julian: Rein it in, Hulk. I'll go get the ball...
As you make your way through the quad, you see your classmates chatting with students from other schools and playing carnival games together...
MC: District unity... achieved.
Nearby, you hear a loud cheer! Sakura pumps her fist in the air as she racks up the points on a water balloon shooting game.
Sakura: Woohoo! Check it out! Beat the high score again!
Sakura: Oh, what's up MC? Want to take me on?
MC: Love to, but I'm pretty sure I'm no match for you. By the way, have you seen Nishan? I thought he was coming to the showcase...
Sakura: Nishan? Show yourself.
You turn around to see Nishan right next to you, wearing a pair of sunglasses and a dark hoodie.
Nishan: I'm in disguise for a reason. Don't ruin it for me! Call me Muhammad.
MC: Um, why Muhammad? And why are you in disguise?
Nishan: Statistically speaking, it's the most common name in the world. As for why I'm in hiding...
Nishan: I can't let the Kepler students see me. It'd be the end of me!
Nishan adjusts his sunglasses and looks around nervously.
Nishan: I can't be seen by the Kepler students! They have it out for me!
Just then, a group of Kepler students pass by, analyzing the earlier performances on the main stage.
Nishan: Aah, hide me! Quick!
Sakura: Ugh, come here. You're being ridiculous.
Sakura pulls Nishan behind her, blocking him from sight until the Kepler students are far away.
MC: You can come out now, Nishan. They're gone.
MC: Wait, is this why you wouldn't go to their campus? And why you were so uncomfortable around Ace at first? What's going on with you and Kepler?
Nishan: We... we have history. And not the good kind with victories and armored elephants.
Nishan: Listen closely, MC...
You, Sakura, and Nishan duck behind a nearby ring toss booth. Nishan clears his throat before beginning his story.
Nishan: Ahem. Long ago, in a galaxy far, far away...
Sakura: Dude. The force is not with you.
Nishan: Okay, okay. I'm just a little nervous about revealing the truth.
Nishan: Back in middle school, I got the top score in the statewide standardized testing and dominated at the Rumblebots tournament. I even made it to the final match... against Kepler's robotics team.
MC: Why am I not surprised... go on.
Nishan: My grades and robotics skills made me a prime candidate for Kepler's freshman class. They wanted me on their roster...
Nishan: I would have gone, too. My parents were all for it. They offered me a scholarship...
Sakura: Yeah, on one little condition.
Nishan: They hinted that if I threw the final Rumblebots match against Kepler and let them win, my scholarship would be guaranteed.
Sakura: But in competitions, you have to give it your all. Intentionally losing is just wrong...
Nishan: So Sakura and I teamed up and crushed the Kepler team in record knockout time...
Nishan: After that, I became Public Enemy #1 at Kepler. Their school newspaper ran political cartoons about me!
Sakura: Rumor has it, that when someone wins a fluke victory at Kepler, they call it 'pulling a Nishan'.
MC: Wow, that's pretty harsh.
Nishan: Kepler is hypercompetitive. They really, really hate to lose.
Sakura: Are you saying that's a bad thing? I'm competitive, too, but I'm not like that.
MC: I get why you'd be wary of Kepler, Nishan. But isn't there a chance that they've changed? What about Ace?
Nishan: I can tell Ace is pretty competitive, but he's not so bad, now that I know him.
Nishan: Maybe there's more to Kepler than I thought...
After the showcase...
Nishan is helping you lock up the spotlights when Ace shows up with a group of Kepler students!
Ace: Nishan, there you are! Wanted to introduce you to my associates. I think you guys have a lot in common.
MC: Uh, maybe now isn't a good time--
Nishan: Er... I have to go home right now. Immediately.
Ace: That's a shame. Danny and Janet wanted to talk to you about the latest in deep space satellite tech...
Nishan: For real? Say, what are your thoughts on the use of titanium on the outer probe?
Soon, Nishan is absorbed in a conversation about inter-planetary life with the Kepler students!
Ace: Nishan seemed a little leery of Kepler. Thought I'd smooth things over. Now, to business...
Ace hands you a paper with graphs illustrating the district and school budgets.
Ace: Test scores all over the district have been falling. If this keeps up, we'll lose crucial funding from the government. We need to beef up our academics funding.
Ace: The money from this fundraiser would work wonders for our math and science programs.
MC: But the Council already decided that the funds were going to our performing arts programs.
Ace: A unanimous vote can amend that. As your advisor, I recommend that you propose a change to the fundraiser... for the sake of all our schools.
MC: Right. I'll see what I can do.
Ace: Now we're cooking. Remi's on board already, but we'll have to talk this over with the other representatives...
MC: Let's do it. But I have a feeling Chelsea won't be happy with this...
You and Ace go around to each of the Council members to discuss your proposal with them.
Zero: I get it. Academics are the cornerstone of any good school.
Brigette: Oh, I'm certainly in favor of your proposal!
Kara: You want an amendment? Sure. Whatever. Just let me work on my abs in peace.
Finally, you catch a bus over to Statton, where Chelsea is leading the dance team's practice.
Chelsea: What's up, MC? Wasn't the theater showcase the best? I knew it'd go over well.
Ace: An understatement. It was a runaway success.
Chelsea: Totally. I know we made a mint with all those admission tickets!
MC: Actually, we ran the numbers and... well, we need to amend the plan. The money will do the most good going to academics, not just the performing arts...
Chelsea: I see what's going on. Just because you and Mr. Kepler here don't have super great theater programs, you want to use the money for something you like better!
MC: My school's drama department is just fine. That has nothing to do with this.
Ace: We need the amendment to be unanimous... we need your vote, Chelsea.
Chelsea: You're not going to get it. Just because everyone's decided to backstab me doesn't mean I'm going to give in.
MC: This isn't betrayal. It's democracy.
Ace: It's politics. Can't you reconsider?
Chelsea: Don't count on it.
The next day, the Council convenes its weekly meeting! Chelsea stands up before the meeting even begins.
Chelsea: I have an announcement to make.
MC: Chelsea, look, if this is about the amendment--
Chelsea: No. I'm quitting the Council.
Owen: You're what?! We've only existed for, like, a week!
Chelsea: One of the talent scouts at the theater showcase saw me...
Chelsea: And I got an invite to this month-long modern dance workshop! It's super exclusive. Anyway, I can't juggle both dance and district council stuff at the same time. One of them had to go.
MC: Chelsea...
Choice
What do you say?
   Stay on the Council!
   Congrats on the workshop!
   Ugh. Good riddance.
if "Stay on the Council!" then
   MC: You're an important member of the Council, Chelsea. We need you.
   MC: We've had our differences, but I know it's only because you want what's best for Statton.
   Chelsea: Thanks, but I can't afford to turn down this opportunity. Statton's having an emergency election right now to pick my replacement.
if "Congrats on the workshop!" then
   MC: You definitely earned it. We had our differences on the Council, but I know it's only because you want what's best for Statton. No hard feelings.
   Chelsea: Thanks! That means a lot to me. Statton's having an emergency election right now to pick my replacement.
if "Ugh. Good riddance." then
   MC: Don't let the door hit you on the way out.
   Chelsea: I know we butted heads, MC, but I just wanted what was best for Statton...
   Chelsea: And now you don't have to deal with me! Statton's having an emergency election right now to pick my replacement.
   MC: Fine... no hard feelings.
The Council says their goodbyes, and you walk Chelsea to her car parked outside City Hall.
Chelsea: I know I got a little out of control earlier... I'm sorry. I think maybe the power went to my head.
MC: I get it. Making big decisions is pretty high pressure.
Chelsea: I'm glad we're cool.
Chelsea: Just... watch your back. Not everyone on the Council is as nice as you, MC.
You watch Chelsea drive away before heading back to the conference room.
Chelsea's seat next to you is empty. The minutes tick by as you wait for Statton's new district council member to show up.
MC: Maybe we should start the meeting?
Brigette: Certainly. It doesn't seem like Statton's replacement will be here any time soon--
Just then, the door swings open!
Asher: Not about to start without me, are you?
Kara: Way to be late, Statton.
Asher: The name's Asher, babe.
if you have completed Hope's Story III -- You know Asher but he doesn't know you.
   MC: Why are you here?
   Asher looks blankly at you.
   Asher: Do I know you?
   MC: I'm Hope's friend. Tell me, how did you of all people get elected? You're the last person in the world who should be here.
   Asher: What can I say, I'm a popular guy.
   MC: Some people have no taste.
   Asher: Hey, not cool. I don't know what your problem is, but we're both on the Council now. Be professional about this.
   MC: I...
   The Council watches you expectantly as you struggle to rein in your temper.
   MC: You're right. Sorry about that.
if you have completed The Cheerleader (Mia's date quest) -- You met Asher during the Mia date.
   MC: How did you of all people get elected? You're the last person in the world who should be here.
   Asher: What can I say, I'm a popular guy.
   MC: Some people have no taste.
   Asher: Hey, not cool, MC. We're both on the Council now. Are you going to be professional about this?
   MC: I...
   The Council watches you expectantly as you struggle to rein in your temper.
   MC: You're right. Sorry about that.
else
   Kara: Don't call me that. You're a nobody. How did you get elected?
   Asher: What can I say, I'm a popular guy at my school.
   MC: Um... okay then.
MC: Well, let's get down to business... I think pretty much all of us favor redirecting the fundraiser money.
Zero: We'll need a unanimous vote. Asher, just to fill you in... we're voting to allocate the theater showcase money to academic programs, instead of performing arts.
Asher: Huh. Then I'm going to say no.
MC: What do you mean no?!
Asher leans back in his chair and props his feet up on the conference table.
MC: What do you mean no? You haven't even heard us out!
Asher: Forget that fundraiser biz. We've got bigger issues to deal with.
Asher: Like, we should relax the dress code. I just want to wear my trilby indoors, but everybody gets on my case about it.
Kara: Probably because it's so ugly. Let's be real.
Brigette: At Athena, we have uniforms for good reason. I'm not certain I would support a district dress code reform.
Asher: Your loss, babe. I only need a majority. So who's with me?
Owen: I don't know. Feels kinda silly to vote on... hats.
Asher: This is about self-expression, bro. Not just hats. And I might be willing to reconsider my vote for the fundraiser if this gets passed...
MC: Really? I agree that the dress code is too strict, but the district council is not here to do you any personal favors!
Asher: Uh, what else is it for?
Asher gets up to leave. He pauses at the door.
Asher: Just think about my proposal. You'll come around.
The door swings shut behind Asher.
After the meeting, you try to calm down at a cafe near City Hall. Ace pulls up a chair next to you.
Ace: So. It's Asher, huh?
MC: Why'd it have to be him? Can't you do some Ace magic and get us someone else?
Ace: Sorry, MC. The emergency election came up too quick. Some things, even I can't do.
MC: I can't believe I thought that Max was going to be my biggest problem.
Ace: Politics is never easy. The human element kind of ruins the whole thing.
MC: I'd support changing the dress code, but if it means Asher using the Council for his personal gain, then I can't do it.
Ace: Look, MC. Politics is a drama. You've got a role to play. Even if you don't like someone, you have to shake their hand. Mask your true feelings. Cut deals you hate. That's just how it is.
MC: But I don't want to be fake... I need to think about this. Thanks for listening, Ace.
Ace: I always have time for you, MC.
You retreat to the school library and lose yourself in a book. Wes stops by your table.
Wes: Hey. I heard about Asher. Tough luck.
MC: That was a closed meeting! How did you find out?
Wes: My usual channels. Want to talk about it?
Wes listens patiently as you tell him how you feel about the Council and Asher's demands.
MC: ...you were right. Politics is all red tape and pretending to be someone I'm not. It's fake.
Wes: Yeah, I hear you. It's why I steer clear.
MC: Asher's using his power for selfish reasons. It's wrong. I can't support that. I just can't.
Wes: Actually... MC, there's something I need to show you.
Wes leads you to the back of the library, and pulls one of the textbooks off the shelf. Its cover is worn, and the pages are warped from water damage.
MC: 'Principia Mathematica'... what about it?
Wes: That's the 1986 edition. All our textbooks are this old. Half of them are falling apart, and the other half...
Wes: I mean, look at these titles. 'Can I Haz Memez'? 'How To Use Spelpcheck'? Do these even count as textbooks?
Wes: The whole school district needs updated materials, but it can't happen without district approval and funding.
MC: Oh...
Wes: It's not just this. The computer lab could use an upgrade. Our science lab needs a bigger budget. Your fundraiser money would be a good start.
MC: But then I'd have to get Asher's vote.
Wes: It sucks, but that's how you play the game.
MC: Thanks, Wes. I know what I have to do now.
At the next district council meeting...
MC: First things first. Let's vote on Asher's dress code proposal...
Asher: Ha! Look who came around. I knew you'd see things my way.
MC: Sure, let's go with that. All in favor?
The Council votes, and Asher's proposal goes through!
Asher: And now you get your fundraiser amendment. See how that worked out? Perfect. Like me.
The following week, your school receives your cut of the fundraiser money. You show your campaign team the check.
MC: The theater showcase really paid off!
Julian: No kidding. That is a lot of zeroes.
Nishan: Yessssss! Does this mean we get new science lab equipment? There's this high-powered microscope I've had my eye on...
MC: Put it on the list. I'll see what I can do.
The following week, your teachers wheel carts of shiny new textbooks into the library.
As your classmates check out the textbooks, Ace steps up beside you.
Ace: You made this happen. Feels good, doesn't it?
MC: Yes... and no. I hated giving Asher what he wanted, just to get what I wanted.
Ace: But you wanted the best for your school. Doing the right thing doesn't always feel great.
Around you, your friends celebrate the new textbooks!
Nishan: This is the first textbook I've ever had that isn't older than I am!
Mia: Books that don't smell like mold. Nice.
Ace catches you watching your friends. He flashes a grin at you.
Ace: So, was it all worth it?
MC: Yeah, it was... so far.
Your time in politics has just begun! What does the Council have in store for you next? 
Keep playing to find out!