Tom for Mayor

Philip Glossman arrives at Tom Riley’s farm at six in the morning with two men who identify themselves as Burt Ferder and Frank Ernest of the Environmental Detection Agency. Armed with a court order, they claim they must retest the property after the old Edgebiter chemical spill. Glossman warns that any harmful residue could force Tom’s farm to close.

Mayor Bill Jenkins promises Tom that he will investigate. In a private telephone call, however, Jenkins angrily refers to a deal and says that this new move was never part of it. He declares that he wants no further involvement. Soon afterward, he abruptly announces that he is retiring to spend time with his grandchildren, leaving Whit’s End and the rest of Odyssey facing a mayoral election in only a month.

Tom explains the situation to Jack, Bernard, Connie, and Eugene while Sam Johnson records events for a video documentary. Bernard immediately suggests that Tom run for mayor. Tom refuses at first, wanting neither the attention nor the burden. Then Bart Rathbone announces his own candidacy, attacks Tom as an environmental danger, and makes extravagant promises without explaining how he will keep them.

Bernard returns with a petition signed by hundreds of citizens and local business owners. He volunteers to manage the campaign and argues that the town needs someone it can trust. Tom has been praying about the decision. He agrees to run, not merely to defend himself from Glossman or defeat Bart, but because he believes he can serve Odyssey. His friends gather around him and pray before the campaign begins.

Tom builds his campaign on his record rather than empty promises. He soon discovers that interviews, appearances, farm work, and public questions leave barely a moment free. Sam follows with his camera, capturing both the strain and the growing support. Bart fills his own campaign with vague claims, personal attacks, and publicity for the Electric Palace, but he does agree to face Tom in a debate.

Jack quietly examines the environmental investigation. When he tells Glossman that the tests may actually help Tom by clearing the farm, the supposed agents become uneasy. In private, Ferder and Ernest admit that the water is clean. They decide that it is time for the next step in their plan.

Glossman calls a press conference and announces that toxic chemicals have been found in the farm’s water and apples. He orders the property quarantined and the business closed. Tom suddenly faces the loss of his livelihood as well as a public scandal in the middle of the campaign, while the people behind the false report prepare to use the crisis against him.