This sense of a subordinate's obedience to a superior gave him an odd sense of relief.
"But…"
Murphy finally spoke. There was no hesitation in his voice, only confusion.
"Why me?"
"Leo, you're the leader."
"You built this alliance. You came up with these ideals. The workers listen to you."
"Why aren't you the one running?"
"If you stepped up, your appeal would be ten times stronger than mine."
Leo turned his head and looked at his reflection in the window.
Young, sharp, even a bit grim.
"Because I can't."
Leo answered, "First, the Constitution requires a candidate for President to be at least thirty-five years old. I'm not even eligible to register."
"Second."
Leo looked at himself in the glass.
"My image is too radical."
"In the public eye, I'm the revolutionary who ran the last Mayor out of office, the gambler who dared to sell the port to oligarchs, the agitator who led workers to blockade streets."
"I frighten people."
