video;

[shifting]

I'm gonna try and keep this short.

[says a smiling Sam Merlotte, wearing familiar plaid and jeans against the familiar wood and glass backdrop of his bar.]

My name's Sam Merlotte. I live in De Chima and I run Merlotte's, which - if I'm allowed to brag a bit - is probably about the best bar and grill you could stumble into or out. Now, this isn't the first time I've thrown my hat in this particular ring, and there's a lot about what I stand for that I think you're gonna find in common with the other candidates, but I don't think that's a bad thing. Core values are what shapes a community.

Community's my platform. People don't say it enough, but we're a remarkable group - and not really for the things people do talk about us for. ImPorts start off here a bunch of strangers with our lives turned upside down, and yet instead of scatterin' to the winds, we build somethin' together. You see it every month, how we offer help to newcomers and answer questions. And while we've also got our troublemakers, that exception doesn't break the rule. Time and again I've seen trouble hit and imPorts join one another to reach out and speak up.

And in the end, that's what an ambassador is: the voice of the community. Given the opportunity to be the Ambassador of De Chima, I'd like to use that voice to strengthen inter-community communication between ourselves, the government, and the natives. More specifically, I'd like to work with the other Ambassadors to start regular town halls in the imPort cities for community outreach, and to open the floor for imPorts to address concerns and discuss solutions. I'd also like to look into establishin' a more official welcome wagon for new imPorts, to ease the imPortation process. Both of which I'm perfectly willin' to get into more detail about with anyone who'd like to ask... but I think I've already pushed my own time limit.

[Sam straightens and nods to the camera.]

So lemme just leave you with this: however strong you are, I believe we're stronger together. And if that's somethin' you'd like to see represented in De Chima, I hope you'll vote Merlotte.

Comments

[slightlyoffchilt]

Call me sentimental.

[shifting]

I don't know if that's even possible.

[slightlyoffchilt]

Not very marketable to call me much else, so publicly. While on campaign. Mr. Merlotte.

[shifting]

[oh, two can play that fucking game.]

I think people'd know it's just good-natured ribbing between friends.

[F R I E N D S.]

You did just give me that glowing endorsement.

[slightlyoffchilt]

And I meant. Every. Word.

[shifting]

Thanks for your vote.

[slightlyoffchilt]

Do I get bumper sticker?

[shifting]

And a T-shirt.

[slightlyoffchilt]

Nn. [No, he almost says.] Nnn -- nice.

[shifting]

Don't worry, I'll sign it for you too.

[slightlyoffchilt]

With just your name?

[shifting]

There somethin' you're lookin' for?

[slightlyoffchilt]

Well, you always have such a personal touch. I'm sure the female vote would agree.

[shifting]

Been talkin' to Raina about it?

[slightlyoffchilt]

Not sure who she'll vote for, actually.

[shifting]

Did I miss her off again recently?

[slightlyoffchilt]

I am hesitant to say anything either way.

[shifting]

Now that's a careful answer. You ever looked into politics yourself, Frederick?

[slightlyoffchilt]

I prefer my bureaucratic autocracy, actually. But thank you for the offer.