Tajine City

In a crowded and loud room stood a city clerk in his pressed uniform attempting to bring order. He slightly raised his voice and said: “We will start with a roll call.

“Council member Basil!”

Basil waved nonchalantly and mumbled, “Present!”

“Council member Cardamom!”

Cardamom responded with his very earnest attitude. “Present!”

“Council member Cilantro!”

Cilantro answered the call with his joyful young voice. “Present!”

“Council member Dill Weed!”

Dill Weed answered with his usual shrill voice. “Present!”

“Council member Fennel!”

Fennel open his mouth to answer but Ginger interrupted. “That’s so unfair. Why should I ever be called after Fennel?”

Marjoram sighed.“Every single time, Ginger. As we have explained numerous times, the roll call is in alphabetical order.”

Ginger retorted, “I know that but Fennel should be called ‘Ground Fennel’ and that would put him after me. Fennel is not even a spice. I curse these cooking wars shows that introduced him as a mystery spice!”

Marjoram glanced at Fennel, who looked quite disinterested, and she begged Ginger, “Would you please give it a rest?” Ginger responded,

“I guess. You know, Marjoram, if you were not related to the Great Mint, I would not have even tolerated you.”

Parsley chimed in. “Please, we need to find out if we have a quorum. We need to elect a President Pro Tempore during the temporary absence of our Mayor. Let’s not forget, Garlic is injured. Ginger, would you please take your seat?”

That was so typical of Parsley, with his crowd-appeasing attitude that matched his milder-flavor character and spices-neutralizing nature.

Ginger adjusted her hat and went back to her seat.

Marjoram muttered, “Crazy Ginger,” and sat quietly.

The city clerk continued to take roll call and finally announced that they had a quorum.

Cilantro leaned against Cardamom and whispered, “What does ‘quorum’ mean?”

Cardamom explained that it meant at least two-thirds of the council members were present.

Oregano took the microphone. “As you all know, Garlic, our beloved mayor, was injured this morning. He will go on disability and we do not know when he will recover.”

Marjoram did not like Oregano. They were both related to the Great Mint and she definitely did not appreciate that Oregano seemed to be in a power-grabbing mood. To be honest, it was always the same old story and Marjoram knew the history. The Great Mint founded Tajine City as a safe haven for all. He named it after the Moroccan clay pot, where all the herbs and spices were cooked to perfection. His great hope was that they would all live in peace and harmony. After twenty years of peaceful and prosperous reign, he retired without naming an heir. He insisted that all the herbs and spices should elect the best candidate. Whenever the city experienced a power vacuum, one candidate built his platform on what he could do for the city and another built his platform on how he was related to the Great Mint.

Marjoram murmured to Thyme, “That’s one way of putting it. There was an attempt on his life.” Thyme was also related to Oregano, but he prided himself on how well he went with everything.

Marjoram really missed her best friend Sage. She thought if Sage were there, she would have helped. Sage only showed up in the fall and spring. She did not tolerate the hot summers.

Marjoram knew she had to align with a council member who might win the vote. She stood up and proposed Turmeric for President. A curtain of silence dropped over the room.

Well Turmeric comes from, you know, a certain minority ethnic background. He was misunderstood for years. Even suggesting his name would not be considered a prank. Now, the calculating Marjoram knew that the time was right to just drop his name.

Parsley was the first one to respond with his wonderful sense of negotiating. “Thank you, council member Marjoram for your suggestion. However, the council member has to nominate himself or herself in order for us to cast the vote.”

Turmeric forced a smile on his face and addressed the floor. “Thank you, council member Marjoram, for your confidence in me, but I have a really busy schedule and I could not possibly serve as the temporary president.”

Oregano audibly sighed in relief. He knew that competing against Turmeric would be problematic. However, he also secretly hoped for a weak candidate.

Tajine city remembered the painful history when Salt ran unopposed. His dictatorship instigated a revolution. At first the revolution was started by Black Pepper, who was a true rebel. The spices who still supported Salt fought and there were losses on both sides. The revolution almost drained Tajine city resources. It nearly ended in favor of Salt. However, when White Pepper’s supporters joined Black Pepper’s forces the revolution was won and they exposed Salt for the imposter he was. Everyone learned about the evil of Salt, but most importantly, the city learned the damage the dictatorship caused.

Thyme finally spoke. “Should we even address the Celery in the room? Mayor Garlic was not simply injured. That was an attempt on his life. He started as a friend of all spices and herbs. Once he was there, his flavor covered all other flavors. He was starting to act like Salt.”

Oregano protested, raising his arms and pounding the table. “How could you talk like this while Mayor Garlic is still fighting for his life?”

Basil spoke up. “I agree wholeheartedly with Oregano. Let’s stick to the matter at hand and whoever becomes in charge will have to tackle that investigation ASAP.”

Parsley, who never missed a chance to become the negotiator, reminded everyone in a calm, collected voice that the priority of business is to be decided by the chair. In absence of the Mayor that responsibility fell to the elder Coriander.

Coriander was definitely the older and wiser – and that is why he rarely spoke. Now he felt compelled. He cleared his throat and said, “In case of disturbance or disorderly conduct, as your presiding officer I have the power to require the chamber to be cleared. I would like the council members who are presenting petitions to become President Pro tempore to please submit them in writing to the city Clerk.

“Only members attending are allowed to vote. No vote shall be changed after the tally is received by the City Clerk. He will then count the yeas and nays and hand me the results. As I have the floor, I present a motion to adjourn the Council until tomorrow in order for candidates to present their cases. All in favor?”

A resounding ‘Aye’ was said in unison. Everyone was ready to leave.

Coriander announced joyfully, “Motion carried.”