The state representative stood at the podium, his fingers crinkling the pages of his speech. His eyes scanned the words his party had written for him while his free hand manipulated the microphone. His eyes and hand nervously exchanged focus. The more he thought about the speech he was about to give, the less appropriate it felt.

House File 1289's passage hung by a thread, and his party needed his vote for it to pass. The party strongly pushed the issue, but his constituents were passionately opposed to it. Lobbyists on both sides applied their unique pressure.

The best solution, however, was a compromise that addressed the concerns of both sides. Each side’s needs didn't exclude meeting the opposition's needs. But the fringe voices were so strident that wavering from either absolute position meant that you were the enemy.

He needed to support the party that secured his leadership position, but he had promised to represent his constituents truly. With neither side being completely wrong, the representative was torn. Should he support his party, represent his constituents, or fight for a futile, but appropriate, compromise?

With a gulp and swallow, he began his speech, cast aside the prepared remarks, and angered everyone but himself.

It's too soon after writing for me to make too many comments about this piece. Now that the time pressure is off, at some point I'd like to do a re-write, but still within the 250 limit. I'd like to heighten the external presures in the third paragraph and the internal turmoil in the fourth. I think the third paragraph needs another sentence, but the fourth could probably just do with a little tweaking.

Feel free to let me know if you have additional suggestions, they can only help me refine my writing.