Three o'clock, Friday afternoon. The Pittsburgh City Council chambers.
The numbers on the electronic tally board were frozen, displaying an unbelievable sight: 9 to 0.
A unanimous vote.
When Speaker Thomas Moretti brought down his heavy wooden gavel, announcing that the *Pittsburgh Annual Operating and Capital Budget* was officially passed, the entire City Hall seemed to tremble for a moment.
The council members who had once sworn to oppose Leo at every turn now lowered their heads, one by one, and pressed the 'AYE' button.
Because within that budget, hundreds of pages thick, every single district had been given a cut of meat dripping with fat.
Such is the power of money.
Five hundred million dollars in projected bond revenue acted as a potent lubricant, instantly clearing the city's long-congested political arteries.
Then, Leo made good on his promise.
