Top floor of the Morganfield Industrial Group, the chairman's office.
It was quiet here, with only the SNIP, SNIP of pruning shears.
Douglas Morganfield stood before the floor-to-ceiling windows, intently trimming a priceless Japanese Black Pine.
Gavin Stone stood behind him, head bowed, faithfully recounting everything that had happened at the Mayor's Office.
When he got to Leo's line, "Infrastructure without the people's livelihood as its foundation is just a castle in the sky," the pruning shears paused.
SNIP.
A seemingly healthy branch was cut, falling to the floor with a soft thud.
Morganfield set down the shears, picked up a white towel, and slowly wiped his hands.
"A young man of principle."
His tone was flat, making it impossible to tell if he was praising or mocking him.
"Unfortunately, in politics, principles are the most expensive and fragile of luxuries."
He turned to face Stone.
