"What a robust crowd we've assembled," Rayanne said.
"Don't start," Linda said.
Audra gestured for everyone to gather around. "A few tips for if you get arrested…"
An alarmed murmur went through the group.
"No one is getting arrested," Linda said.
"Better to have the info and not need it," Audra said.
Linda shook her head. "If it comes to that, exit in silence."
A woman with a camera waited at the corner outside city hall. "Is one of you Linda?" she asked. Linda offered the friendliest wave she could muster. The woman came over to shake her hand. "I'm Kathleen Stone. Arnie has told me so much about you."
Linda could only imagine what that meant. The woman had a friendly strident quality that must be useful in her field. She was also attractive, with a trim athletic figure that made Linda feel dowdy beside her. She spoke with confidence, which was what they needed for this project.
"The signs are great," she said. "No banners or flags? This is still good."
From the look on her face, she wasn't impressed. Linda didn't blame her after taking a closer look at their rag-tag group. Every one of them looked like they wished they were somewhere else.
She heard her name. Arnie ran across the street to join them, a huge grin on his face. "Like old times, eh?"
Linda couldn't help smiling back. "Let's hope this one goes smoothly."
"It's going to be fun. You got a name?"
"A name for what?"
"Who we're asking to see. I thought Paul Douglas gave you a name."
Linda bit back a sharp retort. He'd forced this crazy film idea on them and then left it to her to figure out how to make it work. "He gave me a few names."
"Say you're here for the mayor," Kathleen said. She touched Arnie's elbow. "Look at you all fine in a suit."
A look passed between them, not romantic but like people who shared a secret. A hot stab of irritation shot through her. She should have guessed. They were enduring this crazy circus of a plan so Arnie could impress a woman.
Arnie puffed up, the praise going straight to his head. "Gotta look professional to do the job."
"Can you join me?" Kathleen said, her head tilted to one side while she smiled at him. "You, too," she said, nodding at Linda.
Linda struggled to stay calm. She followed them as Kathleen worked her way through the group, transferring signs between protesters, and then arranging them the way she wanted them to walk to the building. Linda's staff slouched along with grim faces. She didn't encourage them to do different.
Kathleen moved Linda and Arnie to the back of the group. "I'm going to interview you two, and then we'll go in." She waved and an unsmiling Ester joined them, camera in hand.
"What happened to Theo?" Arnie asked.
"Good question," Kathleen said. "You don't mind if Ester helps?"
"Of course not," Arnie said.
Linda would have liked to hear what Ester wanted, but she had lifted the camera and waited while Kathleen smoothed Arnie's perfectly smooth collar. Kathleen moved back behind the camera.
"Can you tell us a little bit about what happened and why you're here today?"
Linda looked at Arnie.
"You first," he said.
"I'm the executive director of the Crooked Rock Urban Indian Center. Last year, after being approached by a city employee, we began negotiations to purchase a surplus building as a permanent home for our center." Even she could hear the lack of enthusiasm in her voice and she made an effort to brighten.
"What does the center do?"
"We serve the local urban Indian population. That can be anything from medical referrals to assistance with housing or transportation. We also host cultural events so Natives in the city have a place to go to connect with other tribal people. With a permanent home, we can expand the types of services we provide. For example, providing elder meals or conducting cultural classes."
"What happened?" Kathleen looked at Arnie.
Arnie stood taller and his bearing became more self-assured. "The center was invited to purchase the property. We went through an extensive process, getting inspections and environmental clearance. We had to seek funding. Purchasing a city building by raising private and public funds is no easy feat. We did everything we were supposed to do, but the city delayed and then cut off communication."
"We haven't been able to get any response from the city since then," Linda said. "We've asked for a letter or anything to explain what happened and we keep getting put off. Our meetings are canceled and our phone calls ignored."
"We're asking for basic respect," Arnie said.
"That's enough," Kathleen said.
She instructed them to walk to the building but take their time. Sometimes she hollered they should raise their signs. Other times she stopped them to change the camera angle. Ester followed her instructions, dashing around with the camera as if born for the job.
Arnie came up behind Linda and spoke in a low voice. "Remember the time we protested something at the dining hall? We joined another group, Future Leaders of Industry, or something like that. We camped out front. How long did we last?"
"Fourteen days. I didn't stay for the whole thing. I wasn't failing school for that."
Arnie laughed. "Remember the crazy guy who threw a textbook in the garbage can, poured vodka on it, and lit it on fire? The can was plastic and smelled so foul. I think that's when they made us leave."
Linda couldn't help laughing, too. "To this day, you can still find a greasy stain on the cement in front of the commons."
Kathleen waved to get their attention. "Don't joke around. You should look angry and defiant. Unconquerable."
"We should look how we look," Linda said.
"If you look at our history, we're not unconquerable," Arnie said. "This is us going to an extreme to get the city to pay attention to us." Here was the irreverent streak from the Arnie she remembered.
"Elaborate," Kathleen said. She had Ester bring the camera over and made a circling motion with her hand. Linda didn't understand what she was going for.
Arnie put his showman face back on. "We're willing to take risks if that's what's needed to earn the city's attention. We're serving citizens of this city, too, and we deserve the opportunity to be heard."
Kathleen gave him an enthusiastic nod. Linda wanted to knock their heads together.
At last they were at the building entrance. This wasn't their first trip to city hall. Back in the fall, Arnie dragged her over here hoping to shake loose official word on why the building purchase couldn't be finalized. That time, the only person who would talk to them was a poor assistant following orders from someone else. Linda couldn't imagine this going much better.
They walked up the stairs and crowded into the narrow, tiled hallway that led to a secured entrance. The security guards stopped talking and stared at them. Kathleen arranged them again before pointing at Ester. When the camera was on, she put her arm over her head and made a grinding motion with her arms. The corridor was quiet except for the sound of their footsteps and the echo of low voices.
"Does she want us to chant or something?" Linda whispered to Arnie.
"I'm not sure what she wants," Arnie whispered back.
After a while, Kathleen stopped waving. Linda heard a giggle behind her that she suspected came from Rayanne. She was afraid to look because she might laugh, too.
One of the security team picked up his radio. Two more security guards came around the security check and pointed at the camera.
"Ma'am, you need to put that away."
Ester put the camera down but Kathleen shook her head. "This is a public space. This is a public matter. Why don't you listen to what they have to say?" She motioned for Ester to continue. Ester gave Linda an uncertain look.
Linda nodded with confidence; then, feeling like Dorothy when she spoke to the wizard, she stepped forward. "We're from the Crooked Rock Urban Indian Center." The words came out garbl
ed and she stopped to clear her throat. "We're hear to see the mayor to get an update on a business matter between the city and our organization."
The security captain nodded his head with weary patience. He spread his arms and indicated the group needed to step back. "Keep this area clear. This is for the public. They need to get through."
"You're the public, too," Kathleen said.
Arnie signaled they should move as instructed. They lined up against the wall, like poorly behaved school children.
The security captain headed back to his office or wherever he had come from.
"Will you let the mayor know we're here?" Linda called.
Without turning around, the man waved as if to say goodbye.
"Now what?" Linda said.
"We sit here," Arnie said. "Perhaps we should have strategized this better."
Linda refrained from wringing his neck.
Someone she guessed was from the Native Student Association came rushing through the door.
"Sorry I'm late," he said.
Ester broke into a radiant grin as she handed over the camera. This had to be Theo. Kathleen shooed Ester into the lineup with the rest of the protesters. Then she gave Theo what must have been an epic talking to. She was all impatient arm gestures and stony glare. Theo looked appropriately contrite.
While they stood there, a group came in, dressed in professional clothing. Linda couldn't tell if they had a meeting or worked in the building. They gave the protesters a curious look.
"What is it now?" one of them said, studying their signs.
"We're here about our building," Linda said. "We want to talk to the mayor, or anyone in facilities management." She didn't need Kathleen's approval for everything she said.
The person shrugged and then showed his badge to the security officer. The officer said something and they both laughed as the group went through.
"When does the part where people rush out to talk to us start?" Linda asked.
"Good question," Arnie said.
"We can't leave now or we'll look like we don't know what we're doing."
"That's accurate, though," Arnie said.
She couldn't decide whether she was furious or grateful that Arnie saw how ridiculous this was.
The afternoon wore on. Several of the protesters left to go back to work or school. Among those remaining, most sank down to sit on the floor, their backs resting against the wall, their eyes glued to their phones. The tile floor looked cold and Linda didn't want to seem settled so she remained on her feet. Stone kept busy setting up different angles. She interviewed everyone on the staff, asking them about other protests and why they thought tribal people faced bigger challenges than other marginalized groups.
Someone called from across the room. Everyone stood again. Linda craned her neck to see what was going on.
"Finally," Linda said. "They must be sending someone out. I thought this was a crazy idea, but whatever it takes." Several people gathered on the other side of the security point. They pointed at the group. A strange sense of relief flooded through her. All they needed was a straight answer, then they would know how to proceed.
The police came through the front door. At the sign of the first one, Kathleen grabbed Theo's shoulder and turned him to face the door. At first it looked like two officers. But more followed until there were ten officers lined up along the hallway.
"Wow, ten policemen," Rayanne said. "Must be a slow day for real crime."
Kathleen urged Theo to get the camera deeper into the mix.
"I need you to stand back," one of the officers said. Theo wisely complied. He had to know a big tall Indian would be the first one taken in if this protest went sour.
"Which one of you is in charge?"
"I am," Arnie and Linda said together.
Linda wasn't about to back down on this.
"I am," she repeated. "Are you arresting us?"
"No. You need to exit the premises. You can't sit in here." He pointed at the door as if directing traffic.
"You needed ten officers to tell us that? Are we that threatening, this group of poorly paid non-profit employees who are all of Indian descent?" She couldn't be certain but she thought she heard Arnie utter an encouraging, "Yes!" behind her.
The officer nodded with exaggerated patience. "Any persons loitering in public buildings may be asked to leave. We're asking you to leave." Linda's insides were boiling, leaving her shaky on her feet. Her heart hammered in her chest.
Arnie came to her side. "You getting arrested will make good TV," he said in a low voice.
Linda swiveled to meet his gaze and was relieved to see a humorous twinkle. She turned to look at Kathleen, who seemed to be hoping things would get more serious.
"Let's go," Linda said to her group. "We'll come up with a new approach."
17
The heat of humiliation crept into Ester's face. She kept her eyes on the ground as they filed out. She wasn't sure what was worse—having participated in the world's most pathetic protest, or having done it in front of a camera with Theo watching. They accomplished exactly nothing except waste a bunch of time and look like jerks in the process.
Theo came up next to her, his breath warm in her ear. "You have time to talk after this?"
Since he'd arrived, an ache in her heart had been building. Her gaze followed him as he scrambled to follow Professor Stone's directions, then looked away as if absorbed in the details of the protest. He looked as she remembered: well-worn jeans, filmy black T-shirt. The way he held the camera up made his biceps bulgier than she remembered. Whenever he caught her eye, his expression was chagrinned: how did we end up doing this?
"We're going back to campus on the bus," she said.
"I gotta go back, too. Can you ride with me?"
Ester's eyes flicked to Linda. Rayanne and Tommy stayed close to her side. All three of them looked defeated. What happened here today wasn't their fault but it would likely play out that way. They were all doing their best yet they still weren't moving forward.
"I'm not sure," Ester said.
"Do you want to?" Theo asked.
Ester connected with his gaze and a pleasant buzz thrummed through her. His eyes were searching and uncertain.
"I'm not sure I should ditch those guys." She indicated her colleagues. Tommy collected the signs. Several of the protestors left. The event had taken longer than planned. Linda and Rayanne had their heads together in conversation.
"I have to deal with the camera," Theo said. He stayed where he was, pinning her to the spot with his eyes. His ridiculous chest rose and fell with each breath.
"I'll ask Linda," Ester said.
"Good," Theo said, turning to go wherever he was going.
Rayanne waved at her, breaking the spell. She pulled her eyes back into her head and went to join her.
"Did you talk?" Rayanne said.
"He wants me to ride to campus with him," she said.
"Do you feel better now?" Rayanne said.
"If by better you mean tingly all over, then yes."
"Have you got three things?"
Ester made a face and pushed her toward Linda. Rayanne whispered something and Linda turned around and gave a thumbs-up, which should have been encouraging but instead she was mortified by the attention.
Before anyone else could leave, Professor Stone gathered the group together for some reason, probably to schedule the next big set piece. Maybe they would light something on fire and dance around it with their drums. Linda and Rayanne walked toward the bus but Arnie called them over.
Kathleen beamed at the group. "That was great. We've got good basic material to work with. Sorry there weren't more fireworks but that's part of the game."
"What is she talking about?" Linda muttered.
"I've got a number of ideas," Kathleen continued. "I'll arrange to meet with you"—this was directed at Arnie—"and discuss further. Great work, everyone." Professor Stone and Arnie walked off together.
&nb
sp; "Good luck," Rayanne said to Ester.
"We're riding to campus, not negotiating world trade agreements," Ester said.
"Don't worry, I can cover for you if you're late." Rayanne winked.
A surge of anxiety gave her pause before she threw Rayanne a dirty look and went to find Theo. He knelt on the ground, arranging equipment to fit into two fabric bags. He piled the last of the equipment in and stood, yanking the straps with him. There was the sound of ripping fabric and clatter of gear. Theo waved the remains of a strap at her.
Ester laughed. "This day just keeps getting better." She squatted down and picked up a roll of gaffer tape and threw it into what was left of the bag. She gathered the bag into her arms. "Where to?"
"Professor Stone's SUV. That seems like our thing, carrying equipment to her car." He pointed down the block.
Ester walked at his side, happy to be with him again.
"I should have called," he said.
"It's okay," she said, the fretting and hand-wringing dismissed.
"I thought after we—"
"I know you've got a lot going on. You don't owe me anything." The words came out casually but her heart squeezed tight when she said them. She'd spent this entire time wondering whether that night meant anything to him.
"We should spend more time together," Theo said.
Ester's knees went weak. She stumbled and lost the gaffer tape again. Theo waited while she retrieved it.
"Me too," Ester said, not sure if those words expressed her thoughts.
"My schedule doesn't leave much room for..." He wagged his finger between the two of them, which gave her a bigger surge of joy than it should have.
"We could work on films together," Ester said. "You get your homework done and I get to do something I like." She blushed at the words.
"I saw you with your phone. Did you film some of that?"
She nodded.
"Yeah, let's do that," Theo agreed.
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