Politically speaking, the man in question seemed to come out of nowhere.
So little was known about him. Of course, people knew he was around, with some even knowing his name. It was how he had sky-rocketed up through the political ranks and into the spotlight that remained a general mystery. Nevertheless, party members, for some reason that not even journalists or news editors were unable to fathom, had voted unanimously for the man. It has to be stated that rumours went around that he was a member of the Flat Earth Society, or some sort of Grand Wizard of a secret assemblage, or even that, as an American citizen and overseas voter, he had helped to put the forty-fifth president in power in 2017. All such gossip, because so little was actually known about him. Regardless of this, things were about to change… radically.
On the day, and in the chamber, people waited with baited breath to hear the newly elected leader’s inaugural policy speech. The upper gallery was filled to capacity.
The man rose to his feet.
He began. “Even those who oppose my political views will have to appreciate my ability to know what is important to the man-in-the-street, what he really wants and therefore, broadly, ipso facto, what needs to be done to create a much happier and more contented general public. It is on this basis, that my first major policy is to remove both Mondays and Thursdays from the week.”
The chamber fell silent.
“Let’s face it, nobody actually likes Mondays. As for Thursdays, I just never really felt at home with these. Naturally, I’m leaving the weekends alone, most people in their right minds enjoy these. This creates a three-day working week, Tuesday Wednesday and Friday. Let’s be honest, everybody loves Fridays. However, these changes do require a fair number of initial administrative adjustments, such as calendars, invoicing systems, cinema tickets, and so on. These matters will be minimalised by increasing the number of public servants, who, like everyone else, will share in the advantages of the much shorter working week.”
Looking up at the visiting members of the public, he raised his arms and went on.
“So, together, we will all enjoy a substantial reduction in working hours, a greater proportion of time spent with family, and the benefits of both birthdays and pay packets coming around a lot quicker.”
Punching the air, he finished with, “Onward and upward!”
Although the floor of the house remained unusually silent, a great, resounding cheer went up from the gallery!