Chapter 4 - bad apple

President McDohl banged his head repeatedly on his desk. "No more!" he cried as Apple dropped another towering stack of papers beside him.

"You can have a break once you've signed all these."

"All right, all right . . ." McDohl propped himself up on his elbow and grabbed a paper off the top of the stack. With heavy eyes he skimmed over the first few lines. Ever since his inauguration he'd been barraged with a relentless stream of paperwork. He had never imagined that being the president was such a tedious job.

Apple gave him a vicious smack to the head with a scroll. "Don't read, just sign!"

"Would you stop that already?!" McDohl rearranged his bandanna.

"Actually. . . " Apple paused and rifled through the pile on McDohl's desk. "If you just sign this one thing here you can be done."

"Great!" McDohl enthusiastically scratched his quill across the page that Apple thrust at him.

"You've just given me permission to use your presidential stamp."

"I HAVE A STAMP?????"

The bronze double-doors of McDohl's office swung open. Alen and Grenseal marched in and saluted him. "Gremio is here to see you, Lord President!" they barked in unison.

McDohl started from their loud entrance. "You know, it's really not necessary for you guys to do that."

"Shut up. Yes it is," snapped Apple, not taking her eyes off of the two guards.

"I wouldn't mind so much if you didn't drool all over my desk every time they came in."

McDohl suddenly felt pain rush through his right arm. He reached involuntarily towards Grenseal. Gritting his teeth, he grabbed a paperweight with his free hand and bashed it into his right one. "Bad Soul Eater! That's a BAD Soul Eater!!!"

Gremio padded cheerfully into the chamber, carrying a covered tray. "Who wants cookies?"

McDohl fell out of his chair and crawled towards Gremio. "Save me!"

"Oh young master, you look positively exhausted! You poor dear."

"Hello Gremio," said Apple. "President McDohl has just now finished with his duties. He's been working very hard and I'm sure he's tired. Take care of him, would you. . . . . . And you can just leave those cookies here."

Gremio gathered up the sniveling president in his arms. "Don't you worry, young master. With some of my special stew and a good night's rest you'll be good as new for tomorrow. Come along now," he cooed maternally. He helped McDohl up to his feet and supported him as they walked out together.

Apple sat down in McDohl's chair and spun around. Everything was in order now. Initially she had feared that the senate would be a problem, but she'd discovered after analyzing the constitution and the loopholes therein that the Toran Republic was in all actuality an elected monarchy. She could begin implementing her plans at any time. But there was one thing essential to any military venture that she still lacked - a hottie strategist.