Representative Murphy's promise ignited the crowd's enthusiasm.
The workers erupted in cheers louder than any before.
They rushed the stage, swarming around Murphy and Leo.
The flashes from the reporters' cameras captured this historic moment.
A veteran representative, having struggled in politics for years, and a fledgling young activist shook hands firmly, surrounded by a throng of workers.
This photo landed on the front page of the Pittsburgh Chronicle the very next day.
The headline read: "Representative Murphy Pledges to Bring New Hope to Pittsburgh."
After the barbecue, Representative Murphy's chief of staff, a middle-aged man named Kevin, found Leo.
He politely invited Leo into a luxury RV parked beside the park, which served as Representative Murphy's mobile campaign office.
The door closed, shutting out all the noise from outside.
Inside, there were no camera lenses, no cheering voters.
The real political negotiation began.
Representative Murphy sat on the sofa and unbuttoned the collar of his work shirt, revealing an expensive silk shirt underneath.
The smile was gone from his face. He poured himself a glass of whiskey and looked at Leo.
"Kid, you put on quite a show today," Murphy began, his voice low but each word laced with pressure. "Forcing me up on that stage, in front of all those people, and giving me an offer I couldn't refuse. Very clever. And very foolish."
He took a sip of whiskey and tapped the bottom of the glass on the table.
"Don't think posting a few tear-jerking videos online is how you get things done in Washington. That stuff might trick the voters, but in the real halls of power, it's worthless. That's a child throwing a tantrum, not politics."
He looked at Leo, his gaze turning sharp.
"The only reason I'm sitting here talking to you today isn't because I was moved by your videos, and it's not because I'm actually scared of Frank and his old cronies. I'm just doing my job as a representative—solving problems in my district. Especially when it comes to young men like you, who are so good at causing them."
His words were full of admonition and warning.
Roosevelt's voice sounded in Leo's mind.
'He's reasserting control over this conversation. He's telling you that even though he lost face out there today, in this room, he's still the one who calls the shots. Acknowledge his displeasure, but don't apologize for your objective.'
Leo leaned forward slightly, a calm that belied his age settling on his face.
"Representative, what happened in the park today certainly wasn't the ideal way to communicate. I completely understand your position."
Leo said, his tone sincere. It sounded like an apology, but the content of his words suggested otherwise.
"Sometimes, when you can't get a response by knocking politely on a closed door, you have to find a more direct way to make the people inside hear the voices outside. All we did today was ensure you heard the real voice of Pittsburgh."
This deferential yet assertive response caused Representative Murphy's expression to soften slightly.
"Fine," Murphy said. "Regardless of the methods you used, what's done is done. Now, let's talk business. You want me to help you get that fund. Okay. What's in it for me?"
"Support from a YouTube channel?" he scoffed. "Frankly, I don't have much use for that."
'Now,' Roosevelt's voice echoed in Leo's mind, 'show him what you're worth.'
Leo looked at Representative Murphy.
"Representative, I think there may be a slight misunderstanding," Leo said. "Our support is more than just a YouTube channel posting a few videos and saying a few nice things."
"Oh?" Murphy raised an eyebrow. "And what else is there?"
"Our support is Frank Kovalsky and his hundreds of fiercely loyal Union brothers. They can go door-to-door for you in every working-class neighborhood, canvassing for votes. That's something your current campaign team can't do."
"Our support is Sarah Jenkins and the young, skeptical voters she represents. We can help you rebuild a bridge to them, to show them you're still the same John Murphy who cares about their future."
"Our support is the ability to amplify the impact of today's event a hundredfold. We can make you a hero to the working class of Pittsburgh all over again."
As Leo spoke, Representative Murphy's expression slowly shifted from disdain to seriousness.
Leo continued, "This partnership of ours has one clear condition."
"The only reason we're backing you is your commitment to support our 'Pittsburgh Revitalization Plan.' This is a partnership based on concrete policy, not unconditional personal fealty."
"If you win reelection and then go back on your promise, then however high we can raise you today, that's how hard we'll make you fall tomorrow."
The threat in his words was unmistakable.
Leo concluded, "Besides this federal funding, we need another commitment from you."
"If—and this is an if—you win reelection with our help, then in return, you need to use the network you've spent twenty years building on Capitol Hill to introduce us to a high-level ally in the Senate. Someone with real decision-making power."
"We don't just want this one-time fund, Representative. We want a pipeline that lets us keep bringing resources back to Pittsburgh. We want a letter of introduction that lets us knock on the doors of even greater power."
Leo finished.
He had taken every point Roosevelt had taught him and delivered it in his own words—clear, forceful, and unyielding.
His performance was poised and seasoned, nothing like that of a political amateur.
'This kid isn't just some influencer who knows how to fire up a crowd,' Murphy realized.
He was a born political animal.
Representative Murphy was silent for a long time.
He finished the whiskey in his glass, then stood up and extended his hand to Leo.
"Deal," he said. "Get me that application proposal of yours. I'll have an answer for you within a week."
The two sides reached a verbal agreement.
Leo stepped out of the luxurious RV. He looked up at the pitch-black Pittsburgh sky.
Roosevelt's voice echoed in his mind, tinged with gratification.
'Well done, kid.'
'You've learned how to convert public opinion into tangible political achievements, and how to invest those achievements in future power.'
'Welcome to this filthy, yet fascinating, game.'
'Now, let's wait and see what our representative is capable of.'