The Rise

I've released two chapters today - make sure you read the last chapter in case you missed it (Caught) - since I know this happens with double releases :) Enjoy.

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At the penthouse Leon was placing stacks of small sheets of paper on a table. They looked similar to the voting sheets that will be used on the day of the election. There was a knock at the door.

"Come in." said Leon

The agent tasked with guarding his door entered.

"They're here, sir." he said

Leon nodded and the agent allowed the seven boys to enter. As soon as they came in they started looking around examining the penthouse in awe. They quickly made themselves at home - as if they were crashing at a friend's house. Opening fridges, cabinets, going into rooms and complimenting Leon about every little thing they saw.

"Oh" said one of the boys, named Conny "Here's the polls from today." he said as he handed Leon the polls.

POLLS (3rd Round)

282 - LEON L.A.PUZI

278 - JESSICA TWINT

275 - SINCLAIR VINZENT

409 - ABSTAINED

Leon picks up the last round original polls and compares the two.

POLLS (2nd Round)

537 - GEROGE TOMHAWK

228 - LEON L.A.PUZI

209 - JESSICA TWINT

202 - SINCLAIR VINZENT

68 - ABSTAINED

"What you did at the debate today was genius. I was sure after the fight, the rumors and all that crap you'd definitely drop in the polls." said Conny

"Even if you did control the damage done, these results are way too close for us to be comfortable with." said another one of the boys, named Randal

Leon turned away and walked towards the large windows, looking out. The boys all turned their attention to Leon as a silhouette of the back of his body contrasted against the light coming through the windows.

"It took me some time to see it. But when I did, there was only one thing I needed to do in order to win." said Leon as he turned his head around slightly "I had to maximize the number of students that abstained." said Leon.

The boys looked at each other with their eyebrows raised in confusion - unable to keep up with Leon.

Leon points at the stack of papers he had set up earlier.

"Today, we're going to learn how to vote more than once." said Leon as he walked up towards the papers "It's simple. There are several voting stations scattered across the assembly hall and voting happens in a booth. Each of you will pick up five papers from the stack instead of one. This is going to be difficult to do smoothly and without drawing any attention - which is why we'll practice over and over again." said Leon as he placed his index finger on the stack then rolled his thumb across the side of the stack of papers and stopped perfectly at five papers swiftly picking up the stack making it seem as if he only picked one.

"Wow." said Conny

"It's nothing special, a simply sleight of hand - a toddler with a magic trick book could learn it. But it will require practice nevertheless."

Leon began teaching the boys and having them walk up to the sheets of paper as if they were waiting in line and practicing over and over.

"I still don't get it Leon, why are we doing this? You said we'd vote more than once - but that still doesn't make any sense." said Randal

Leon held up the polls and pointed at the abstained category and then at the number "403".

"This is the key to winning. There have never been polls done before - which why this is only possible this time around. And because of the polls, we now have the names of everyone who abstained." said Leon as the boys opened the mouths awestruck as they began to figure out Leon's plan.

"So the plan is simple. Each one of you will be given four names from the list of those that abstained. On election day, line up, then pick up five papers as we've practiced and enter the voting booth. You will have to quickly write down the names and vote for Leon Lapuzi on each ballot. Fold the papers and line them up like so" said Leon as he carefully folds five pieces of paper to make them as small as possible - so that they could fit into the ballot box all at once. "Then, as you place the papers into the box, be sure to cover the papers with your four fingers like so" he explained, covering the papers with his four fingers then pushing them down with his thumb.

The boys immediately began practicing trying to imitate Leon.

"There are seven of you, four extra votes per person, giving us a total of twenty-eight extra votes from thin air. I was worried the polls would be more dire for me, which is why I needed more abstainers, but given how close the polls are - this will most likely be enough to push us through the edge. I've already tried using more than five papers - but beyond that, it becomes harder to do it unnoticed. This is the optimal number." said Leon

"I know we have access to the polls to get the names of the abstainers - but how are we going to be sure that the people whose votes we steal, won't end up voting on the day?" said Conny

Leon smiled confidently.

"We have three rounds of polls to choose from. The rationale is simple. We will only pick the names of people who have abstained for each and every round. After that list has been exhausted, we will pick the names of people who abstained for the second and last round and if even then we don't have enough, we'll pick up names from the last round to get the final number of twenty-eight. Meaning we will increase the likelihood of picking a name of someone who is truly not interested in voting." said Leon ending the final explanation of his grand plan.

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Authors Note:

In order for this plan to even be considered so many factors had to fall in place

- Leon needed access the all the polls and the names of the people who voted

- The poll numbers needed to be close since he could only manipulate a very small number (around 28)

- Leon needed several people who were willing to do this for him - he couldn't do it alone (this is why he has the 7 boys).

- At least 28 people needed to abstain.

This might seem like an easy way out - but this is far from an easy plan - the conditions were set perfectly and this is what scheming is about - it's not about coming up with a flashy cool looking plan that's clean cut - it's about understanding what resources you have - no matter how limited and how to use them in the best way even if it seems rough and isn't flashy. This is where Leon truly shines.