"First off, because you were 'promoted' using this way. I fully expect you to not do the above the table honest transactions all the time from your prior experience. Good, I encourage this behavior."
The mayor slowly sat back down and put his 'evidence' on the desk to the side, all the while opening a drawer on the left side of the table.
Looking inside for something while talking to them.
"Otherwise, how do you think Shell Beach Town became the rising new heart of marine coastal trade for the nation? A lot of..."
The mayor pauses for a moment.
"A lot of 'grease' is needed to turn this machine called Shell Beach Town."
Seemingly finding what he is looking for, the mayor takes out a large stack of papers.
This causes the five already sitting and the two new ones who sat down to flinch in reflex.
But his next words caused them to react more obviously.
"And those two assets just became the new 'grease' for the town. What a great selflessness for the prosperity of Shell Beach Town." Saying in an almost reverent and innocent tone.
Acting as if this is his most true thoughts.
"As such..."
Opening another drawer on the right side of the table, he continues looking for something.
"You will... no, you must do a certain kind of 'honest' transactions occasionally to 'feed' yourselves well. Only then can we all play 'happily' with each other."
Quickly, he finds another stack of papers neatly placed inside.
"Only when you stand in line with the others on the same field will I be at ease." saying this while taking all the papers out of the drawer.
"As for you five, consider yourselves lucky that you played your role diligently in Shell Beach Town. Those two clearly wished to change their roles to the role of being 'well fed' for slaughter."
The mayor quickly starts organizing his table while continuing on.
"Oh, by the way. Don't forget the 'donations and aid' to Shell Beach Town. We all must play our roles diligently here in this town after all... Right?"
Finally, the mayor raises his head to stare at the several people sitting across from him.
His desk now filled with stacks upon stacks of paperwork.
After getting a silent nod of agreement he turned his head down again and spoke.
"Now then... I hope you will excuse me for not being able to see you out. I have some more paperwork to make for others; there is a lot of 'promotions' yet to come after all. Everyone is waiting for my stamp of approval that has long been delayed."
He said while reaching into his pocket.
From his left coat's chest pocket, he takes out a feather fountain pen and a stamp.
An exquisitely crafted platinum pen with gold inlays in various layers. Showcasing a picturesque scene of waves on the sea. And a stamp made out of some shiny black material, highlighting its silver and gold inlays.
"I just needed an opportunity to finalize it all, and one such opportunity presented itself very timely. Almost too early."
Taking the feather fountain pen, the mayor then lowered his head to start working. not soon after, everyone started leaving the office.
After the last person left and the guards returned to their posts, leaving the mayor alone in his office.
He stopped.
The mayor stopped writing for a moment and raised his head.
He rose from his seat and turned around.
Staring over the entire town from the window.
"I can see it now; the rise of Shell Beach Town is right around the corner."