King of the Mountain: Part 18


Lynn Jepsen


Rachel finally tracked Sam down at a bookstore in Kansas City. I don't
have all the details, but I can tell you he was not happy to learn that
we needed him back here. We're now going to have to give a speech on
labor reform tonight in order to end the strike before we lose yet
another news cycle. This isn't boding well for the campaign. Four weeks
we've been in full swing and we haven't been able to get any issue news
out since the announcement. This is hell. First, Sam and Lisa were all
over the press. Then Sam's accident was all over the press. Now this.
Just once, I want something to go our way.

Of course, as CJ was quick to point out, I don't have the best track
record for minimizing scandal. I know we're getting at least one good
story out this week though. Danny Concannon is putting Sam on Dateline
Tuesday night, you know, get the candidates reaction when New Hampshire
comes in, talk about the campaign, where we're going, where we've been -
you get the picture. It's almost hard to believe we've been at this since
Christmas and we have yet to actually have an election. Two days. Two
days, and we'll have one win, one loss, and one less opponent. Assuming
everything goes according to plan.

Who am I kidding? Nothing ever goes according to plan.

*

"Tell me, Governor, do you feel your lackluster performance in Iowa
reflects the concern over your recent personal problems?" CJ winces at
Danny's question. On one hand, I think she's happy not to deal with his
questions every day. One the other hand, we can't really do much more
right now than hope Sam is honest, but not too honest. There is a limit
after all, and being too honest on live television is bad, really, really
bad.

The spot lights seems hotter than I expected, but that could be because
New Hampshire results are still coming in. We've definitely won, but
Reynolds - he's performing much better than the polls suggested he would.
Apparently the voters have no problem with tax and spend liberals as long
as they're bigoted, unethical, pains in the ass.

"I don't feel Iowa reflects that at all. Of course, my wife and I have
had troubles, but I feel the electorate is more concerned with our
current recession. My performance was far from lackluster, but I feel it
reflected the view that we were unprepared to handle the economy. That is
why I'd like to share our economic plan with you tonight." Go, Sam.
Honest, but not too honest. We might make a politician out of you, yet.
CJ pumps her fist at her side, and gestures towards the door. Zoey and
Lily were watching the press last time I checked, and I think that
worries her on a fundamental level. Now that I'm confident Sam will be
fine, I trail after CJ. He's got plenty of moral support here, after all,
Lisa's there.

"Josh!" I turn and barely believe my ears. "I guess you're going to speak
to me now, right?" Sarah glares at me a bit, but she shrugs. "Rae
suggested I give you another chance." Remind me to give the girl a raise.
"She did, did she?" Nodding, Sarah slips a hand into the crook of my arm,
and smiles. "Stop being difficult." I'm always difficult. This is an
election night - this is as happy as I get. Laurel grabs her mother's
free hand then, and the ten year old bounces on her toes. Then she asks
how Uncle Sam is doing, and I freeze. Uncle Sam. Someone call the media
consultants. I know what we're doing for our next commercial.

*

CJ's head snaps up when I ask if she's feeling alright. "Fine, why do you
ask?" Oh, I don't know. Maybe because you're the only person here who
skipped champagne in favor of anchovies with peanut butter. What gives?
"Nothing. I was just...." Wanting to be alone and eat disgusting food?
"That about sums it up." Parking myself next to her on the floor, I
glance at my watch. It's already four, and in two hours, I'd have to wake
up anyway, so I might as well help her hold up the walls.

"Toby's got the volunteer's boxing up everything. Strobe's organizing an
organizational committee to put in charge of all of our moves, the press
is in bed, the campaign buses and the plane are ready to go...." Let's
not forget the one thing that's bothering Leo and I. Lord John is here.
That's what happens when I ask for help with a British problem - they
send me the nut. CJ laughs then and I hear a thump-thud from the other
side of the wall. Paul lost his first name last week. Lisa's brother,
Paul, is on sabbatical, so he was hanging around and... we realized the
campaign was confusing enough without two very important men named Paul
floating through.

"Josh, you're rambling." Sorry. "Pass me the sardines." Digging through
the grocery bag next to my leg, I fish out the sardines and some crackers
and hand them over. She nods in thanks, and we sit there, silently, for a
while. "Would you take a bullet for Sam?" Whoa! Where did that come from?
"He's more liberal than Bartlet. The extremists have hated him since he
gave that speech at the '06 convention.... Would you?" Now that is a
troubling thought. Last time, I wasn't too thrilled with the experience,
but.... "You're always the one who protects Sam, just like Leo protected
the President." It's funny how that works - The President will always be
Jed Bartlet to us, no matter how many administrations pass. I wonder if
other staffers for other Presidents felt the same way.

Yeah, yeah, I guess I would. I mean, he's my best friend. He's married to
my oldest friend. He'd be my President. What else would I do? I turn and
throw the question back at CJ. If I have to get depressed, so does she.
"Yes." The quickness of her answer surprises me. "He saved my life, Josh.
He's like the brother I never had."

Well, isn't this cheerful.

King of the Mountain: Part 19

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