S3 Ep. 8 | ELLA IN AMSTERDAM Black Swan Events
Reality can be stranger than fiction
My whole running for city council process could not be getting any weirder.
Chibuzo randomly skipped town, without so much as saying goodbye. Although he left a check in Chelsea’s name, wtf. Then Nicolas’ body is found in Italy, even though Chelsea swears she ran into him in downtown recently. On the top of that, I now have the random competition of running against Nicolas’ husband, Sven, for city council who is now a Widower. Or is it Widow? I don’t know all the modern terms but without having time to process that Nicolas is dead I need to come up with a marketing campaign against his remaining spouse? What a life.
Italian music still plays a lot in my ears and by now I’m getting used to it.
What I am not getting used to is how weird people have been acting. Even the friendly Italian hotel guy, Gianni called me to say… goodbye? Very strange. It got me thinking this might be the price I pay for going into politics? Without any recent “signs” in the last days I feel a bit lost myself.
Can I get more signs? Are the signs done?
Things always seems to piece together when I follow the signs but there hasn’t been any signs for a while and now I need to compete in this election with all my might. It’s too confusing to me if Sven were to make city council, I can’t be so sure he’s got good intentions. Besides, why does a rich Swedish gay widow (widower?) want to run for office anyway?
Feeling sad about Chibuzo’s abrupt goodbye I look around my Los Hellas apartment that he essentially gifted me and find a small picture of me on a bookshelf, as a little girl in Chibuzo’s first office. Atop a corner of the picture frame is a bracelet I made at summer camp when I was a little kid. My fingers twirl the tiny bracelet and I feel a sense of love in my heart for Chibuzo. Maybe after my first political term finishes I can visit him in Africa?
Walking to the campaign office down the hill I start to realize this politician thing is boring and like a job— so I make a detour to walk passed Chibuzo’s office space to see the status. As I come around the corner I feel my tummy get excited while Italian music in my head plays a bit louder. I can hear my own heartbeat thumping in my ears and with the energy of a child I rush up to the business window facing the street, only to be stopped in my tracks.
There’s a sign: “Future office of Knight’s Messenger Service”
What? Chibuzo already got his office cleared out? How is that… even possible?
Further reading the sign I can see instead of being a lawyer’s office it will be a court messenger service, which makes sense for the location however it creates an uneasy feeling inside of me. Chibuzo is really gone.
Enemy of Better is Done
Trying to not be shaken about a couple hiccups— well a lot of hiccups between Nicolas confirmed dead and Gianni and Chibuzo essentially going MIA—my vision and smell is going bonkers and the Italian music playing in my mind makes me feel exhausted. Not physically exhausted but emotionally fading away. It’s all just so much and too much for a small city council position. I’m no quitter though. If only I could get a bit more guidance, clues, something.
When I get to the campaign office, which is starting to always smell like freshly baked bread to me (I am afraid to tell anyone however because last time Chelsea looked at me like I was insane for having a croissant there) I get a video call from Vivian, my PhD friend in Switzerland who helped me discover all the missing data hidden by billionaires and stayed by my side at the hospital in Italy when I was in a coma.
I look at the clock, it’s late there.
Vivian: Hey Ella, I wanted to tell you I think all the weirdos who were stalking and coming around our office here because of you are done
Me: Awesome. You must feel relieved? Well I am far away now so they shouldn’t be poking around anymore
Vivian: Nope. The dust has settled here which is why I wanted…
Me: Ugh don’t tell me
Vivian: Whoa. I mean. Yes and No
Me: What?!
There’s a weird pause between us and despite being across the world at that moment I feel a connection to Vivian in a way that I never have.
Vivian: There’s this Fellowship program in Asia. I applied for it and I think given what’s happened the last few months I should take it. Get some fresh air. Step away from all the madness in case things, how do you say, put things to rest?
Me: Okay. That makes sense. Did you consider Los Hellas? You know we have great programs…
Vivian: I do but there’s nothing else there in Los Hellas for me
Me: Excuse me? Nothing?!
Vivian: Ella. I took the position, I leave for China in two days.
Me: Ok
Vivian: And… I… want to…
Me: No. No. Not you too! You are not—
Vivian: Say goodbye.
Me: This is weird and you don’t have to say goodbye Vivian. Did someone prank you to say this?
Vivian: This is hard for me too, Ella. Considering everything I think it makes sense if we part our ways. I wish you the best for your next chapters and will always remember you
Me: Remember? I still exist
Vivian: Goodbye Ella. I will cherish you like a locked room of foreign books.
Before I can respond Vivian hangs up on me. I am stunned, shook. Chelsea sees me holding my phone in distress
Chelsea: What? You are white as a ghost. Who was that? Did someone threaten you? Because I can call them back and put a tracer on—
Me: No, no it’s okay. That was Vivian in Switzerland she’s busy with school. She just wanted to say hi to us and wish us both good luck
Chelsea: Right on. She’s a cool kid, super smart too.
For a minute the Italian songs playing in my ears switch to beeping noises. I check the office microwave before realizing its me and only I can hear it
Chelsea: You ready Elz?
Me: Yes I am fine. What’s on the schedule for today?
We both sit down as Chelsea briefs me on what I need to do for the day. It’s boring but this campaign is not going to win itself.
Keep going Ella, I tell myself.
Bitches Get Stitches
On the other side of town Sven has his own plans.
He mails the signed documents for his uncle Pieter handing over dozens of commercial properties in Los Hellas that were in the name of holding companies that Sven owns, over to Pieter. Sven then stops by, unannounced to Mary Poros office. Sven, like Nicolas, are friendly with the front desk receptionist Susie who hates Mary, so it takes no effort for him to bypass everyone and enter Mary’s office.
Sven: Knock knock
Sven taps on the outside of Mary’s open office door
Poros: Oh its you. What is it this time? More blackmail or empty threats? I can’t decide which one I’m in the mood for today
Sven holds up his designer briefcase
Sven: Do you know what’s in here? Nothing related to property holdings. Pieter has it all. I’m good to go for city council. Have you packed yet?
Mary motions him to not talk as loudly and come into her office. She shuts the door behind him
Poros: Listen here you little…
Sven: Mary, don’t. We are beyond name calling. As you know I have a trust and now assets from Nicolas at some point. I don’t need to be in the real estate game but you know who does? You. But do you know what city you are going to own property in?
Sven takes a dramatic pause and also because he is simply tired of her
Sven: To answer your question, I also do not know what city you will hold property in but it’s not going to be Los Hellas. Besides now having enough evidence to take you down for Nicolas I have so, so much more. See this briefcase I’m holding?
Besides being stylish there’s enough evidence inside to make you want to hang yourself before you figure out the conditions in state prison. I’m going to leave this envelope right here on your desk. Read it when you are ready. I have it stored many places.
The election is in a week which means you quite literally have a week to leave town.
Sven pulls a thin but large envelope from his leather bag placing it on Mary’s desk. She takes the envelope and plays with it for a minute.
Normally she would say something snarky only now things are starting to feel a bit more real. She might actually be in a corner?
Sven: I also found 2,000 mail-in votes you had set aside to be whatever candidate you put in place. Unfortunately for you, you have not bought me off and never will
Poros: Ok so what. You expect me to just leave town with a tail between my legs and hand all my properties to your uncle?
Sven: Exactly
Sitting as still as possible to not show any reaction or emotion, Mary Poros starts to contemplate what her next move could or should be and then she remembers something and takes a wild guess.
Poros: Well you know what. You are husbandless and soon, tomorrow morning to be exact, you will be without your favorite boyfriend Bogdan Brown
Sven: So?
Poros: Don’t you care? Your beloved Bogdan, who put you up to this scavenger hunt is getting arrested tomorrow. Click clank.
He will be put away forever, no bail and deemed crazy. Don’t you care? You think you are so smart with your fancy leather briefcase. I pieced it together and know Bogdan is the one calling these shots in your booty fueled situationship
Sven: I don’t care, take the slut. Bogdan only tipped me off on where to go looking for clues. It turns out you have a lot of skeletons in your closet and I’ve only just started in finding them
Sven points to the envelope he set down for Mary
Sven: More than 26 since 1992 to be exact, if someone were to count.
Mary’s stomach hurls itself up to her throat, she almost vomits on the spot from nerves. She doesn’t know what to do and attempts to hide it
Poros: See you don’t care about anyone. Husbandless. Boyfriendless. A washed up Swede. No one will vote for you.
Sven: I will worry about the votes I get or don’t get later. It doesn’t matter anyway who wins the election as you will be gone either way
Sven stands up from the chair he was sitting in, points again to the envelope he placed for her on the desk
Sven: Uncle Pieter is looking forward to your call. Six days Mary
He then walks out of Mary’s office for the elevator and as he walks by hands receptionist Susie a small box of little chocolates, “Omg I love recuitti chocolates you are so sweet. Thanks Sven, and I’m sorry about Nico…”
Sven: I know darling. Email me your resume, you are going to need a new job soon
Without any hesitation the Suzie perks up, smiles and opens the chocolates.
The thought of not working or being around Mary Poros much longer gives her comfort.