| Episode: | Season 1, Episode 1 – Chaos! At The Gala |
| Location: | Chronos Thread Co. |
| Written By: | James Cohen Samuel Bancroft |
| Date: | 08/16/2026 |
| Word Count: | 1,080 |
James Cohen stood up on the stool as the seamstress worked on making certain the suit pants he was wearing actually properly fit the Primarch. There were a thousand different things he’d rather be doing right now, than this. He hadn’t been a huge fan of fancy events like this, and while it wasn’t the first one he’d ever done, he was certain it should have been his last.
Maybe after eighty-eight years he should be the Primarch to end it after this. Even as he thought that, there was a loud noise from outside Chronos Thread Co. that caught his attention. It was a group of people celebrating. Maybe he was wrong? James didn’t put much thought into it even as the young woman at his feet pricked him by accident. He gasped, when it happened while withdrawing his leg.
“Sorry sir,” The woman said.
James bit his lip, “It’s okay.” He grimaced, then the bell alerted him to someone entering the shop and he looked over to see one of the councilors entering the store. It was Sam, James waved gingerly at him. “I see I wasn’t the only one to escape the joys of fatherhood this morning?”
Sam laughed as he heard James speaking. At least for Sam he still had Allyson to help him take care of their daughter. James didn’t have that luxury, Sam knew this because he knew their new Primarch and his ally had been a single parent for a while.
“Nope, not at all.” Sam said as he stepped inside the fitting room in order to put on his suit. “When Freya offered to take all three girls Allyson and I could hardly say no.” He pointed out.
James listened as Sam spoke from inside the changing room, “Is Kate excited?” He asked as the last stitches on the pant leg at his feet were done. James watched her intently, hoping she didn’t accidentally get him with the needle again.
“Oh yes,” Sam said as he came out of the fitting room with the suit on. “I’d ask if Paige was excited, but didn’t she go last time too?”
James nodded, “She did.” He answered, “However, I don’t think at the age of eight years old she had much fun there.” He admitted rather softly as he stepped down from the stool and made space for Sam who would now need his pants adjusted too. The suit was a rental, while James could certainly afford to buy one, he couldn’t think of any event to wear it.
James may not get elected again in four years, or he may decide to leave politics entirely? These were questions he didn’t have answered right now. He did miss being a lawyer, but until he was certain the party could operate without him at the helm… James shook his head.
Sam stepped up onto the stool and watched as the young woman began to work on his pants. “The gala isn’t exactly known for being the place for younger children. I think some of the corporate leadership with younger children are making arrangements. What did Paige do during the gala the last time?”
“They had some activities for her to do, and I think it’s the same this year. They’ll have all sorts of things for the girls to do that’s off camera. Ascension is pretty good about not filming more than they have to.” James replied. He leaned against the nearby post and crossed his arms over his chest.
James didn’t figure Paige would want to do those activities this time, since she was a little older and the main events would hold a bit more interest for her. They had a dance floor, and this year they even had little masks they were all wearing for the event. It wasn’t about being anonymous though, James knew it was just for fun.
Sam’s pants didn’t seem to take nearly as long as James had, though Sam was a bit taller and lanky than James was. “What’s the first order of business for this session?” Sam asked, turning his attention to work and politics. He wanted to know what sorts of ideas their new Primarch had.
James laughed, “That would be telling wouldn’t it?” He asked rather sarcastically. “I don’t really have an agenda for this first session. I’ll probably give a few speeches, meet with Alex and discuss some strategies.” He shrugged, “Is there anything specific you wanted?”
Sam had stepped down from the stool, “Well…” He began to consider the question more appropriately because he felt as if James already had that answer. “I was hoping we could discuss the engineering and security shortfalls at some point.”
James saw that coming, these were two areas of contention for the political party that belonged to Sam, and of which he led. “I’m sure we can strike some sort of balance that would help boost those numbers. I don’t think involuntarily making people serve is the answer.”
James shrugged as he watched Sam carefully, trying to be as tactful as possible. “Perhaps a more targeted advertisement is in order? Or, the two fields can be marketed to the schools at a job fair or something?” James suggested.
Somehow Sam knew these were going to be the options put forth. He wanted something a bit more than just more advertisements. They didn’t seem to quite answer the question, “I’ve heard some rumors saying something about more automation.” He pointed out, trying to see what James knew about that. Sam was kind of playing a little bit.
James rubbed the bottom of his chin, “That would be news to me,” He said. Then James shook his head slowly as he considered it. “I don’t think that’s going to solve much of anything, those systems will break down just as easily as the others in place. No,” James shook his head, “I don’t think that’s the correction either.”
Sam almost breathed a sigh of relief when he heard James arguing against that. He adjusted the suit he was wearing to the gala. “That’s a relief to hear,” He said softly. Then Sam slipped past him, “I gotta go get Allyson. See you this evening?”
“Of course,” James said and watched as the other man left. He tilted his head to the side. This is why their party barely held on whereas the Centrist movement was so popular. James shook his head, not that he would complain about that.