Later, at a deeply depressing prison in Razor City...
The drab grey prison uniform did not flatter Scarlet, but he walked as though he were still a king among his subjects. The guards didn't like him, and the prisoners blamed him for losing his foothold in the city. Prison did not suit Ezra Scarlet. There was something different in his eyes when he sat across from his son in the small, private meeting room in the newly minted Razor City Detention Center.
For a long moment, Scarlet stared at his son as though he'd never seen him before. Finally, he said, "You look good, son."
Grey inclined his head. "You look..."
"I know." Scarlet waved his hand. He sighed and leaned back in his chair.
"How are you?"
"I'm in the worst place I've ever been in my life, and it's never going to end," he admitted dryly.
"You are still alive."
"There are many who believe I should not be."
"Yes, there are. I'm not one of them."
"Was it you who vetoed execution, city leader?"
Grey couldn't tell if he was angry or if he was making fun of him. "No. I did not think it would be appropriate for me to make the decision. It was put to a vote. Against all expectation, your life was spared."
Scarlet looked somewhat surprised by this. "So that is how it is now in my city? The people make decisions together? They decide what's best for them?"
"It is. It is the only way a city can live in peace."
"People don't like being responsible for their own lives. They want someone to tell them want to do. They want someone else to take responsibility. They want someone else to blame when something goes wrong."
"They do not want to be told how to live their lives. They do not want to live in fear of stepping out of line or saying the wrong thing to the wrong person. They want to know that the decisions that are being made are in their best interest."
"Are you suggesting I did not intend to act in the best interest of my people?"
Grey stared at him. "Do you believe you did?"
He considered this a long time. Finally, he sighed. "I liked to think that I was acting in the interest of the people, but I think we both know the truth."
"Everyone knows the truth, Father."
Scarlet looked away. "It is a small comfort, Dante, but I am proud of you."
Grey blinked. He wasn't sure what to say to this.
"I made many mistakes during my time as King of this city. I did have good intentions in the beginning. I had good intentions throughout, but I am not a good man at my core. I was so sure you would go the same way, but I was wrong. You did what I couldn't do."
Grey smiled sadly. "I wish you'd realized your mistakes sooner. You will be paying for them now for a very long time."
"Yes. For the rest of my life, even if I am pardoned some day. But I will be able to see my son grow into the man I could never be."
Grey was so startled by this he did not speak for several moments. Scarlet, too, seemed not to want to say anything else. Finally, Grey asked, "How is Warin?"
Scarlet sighed. "I do not see him often. He hasn't given up his grudge against me. He doesn't leave his cell often. When he does, he won't speak to anyone much, least of all me." He frowned slightly. "I wish I could tell him I am sorry about Elia, but it's too late now, I'm afraid."
"He did try to kill me. Can't he call it even?"
Scarlet snorted. "I think not. I don't think he will ever consider us even. It's not something you can square."
An intercom buzzed beside the door. "Five minutes," a guard barked.
Scarlet smirked at Grey. "There's the warning bell. You're the city leader. Can't you bend the rules?"
"That not the way I run things. I don't bend rules. I have to set examples."
Scarlet smiled. It was a small smile, but it was genuine. Grey didn't think he'd seen it in a very long time. "I'm not surprised, I suppose. You are like your mother. She was always good. Perhaps if she had lived, I would have been a better man and none of this would have happened."
Grey sighed. "Things would have been very different for us both if she were still here."
Scarlet reached across the table and patted his hand. "Speaking of the city leader, I hear there is an election coming up."
"Yes. Now that the representatives have been elected, I thought it was only right the city get to choose their own leader."
Scarlet shook his head. He looked amused. "Who is the competition?"
"Neil Burns, the former city councilman from before the war."
"The man's past his prime. He wasn't any good when he was running the show. He didn't have the mettle to step in when the city was falling apart; now he wants to take over what he never earned to begin with."
Grey shrugged. "I hear he is very savvy in politics. He might put on a good campaign."
Scarlet scoffed and waved his hand. "Who else?"
"Hansel Graves."
His father laughed out loud. "Brilliant. That should be an interesting show."
"He does have quite a following."
"Among the outlaws and vigilantes. Is there anyone who will be competition?"
"Marshal Wolf is running."
"Ah. I am not surprised. I always suspected he had designs on power. I am not certain his reign would be any less tyrannical than the city considered mine."
"He seems like a good man."
"He is a wolf in sheep's clothing. If he gets control, it will only be a matter of time before things begin to look dark for your little rebellion."
"Victor Harrington is running."
Scarlet lifted his eyebrows. "My old business manager? Well, well. I never would have expected. He always kept his head down and his hands clean."
"Is he a good man?"
"He was a good business manager. Beyond that, I know little about him. He managed to keep his job and keep out of my way. Perhaps he's got something up his sleeve. I wouldn't trust him."
"I'm not sure I trust anyone who wants to be the leader of the city."
Scarlet laughed. "That is a wise position."
The intercom buzzed again. "Time's up," the guard said.
Scarlet sighed. He stood. Grey rose to meet him. Scarlet patted his shoulder. "Good luck, son. I hope you win."
Grey smiled humorlessly. "I'm not sure I want to."
"That's how I know you'll be good for the job; I would have wanted to."
The door opened. The guard strode inside to reclaim his prisoner.
Scarlet hugged Grey. It surprised him. It always surprised him, though his father did it after every visit. "Good bye, son. Good luck. Come see me again soon. It's the only entertainment I get in this place."
Grey nodded. "I will, Dad. Goodbye."
He watched the guard snap the shackles on his father's feet and wrists. Scarlet held his head high, but the weight must have been terrible. Grey sighed. If he was going to lead this city, he'd better do it right.
He enjoyed visiting with his father, but he didn't want to join him.