King of the Mountain: Part 5
Lynn Jepsen
Brutus abandoned me after the staff meeting. I would assume he's trailing
along behind Lisa, or, I don't know, chewing a few errant staffers to
bits, but I'm not sure. Margaret sent in a couple muffins for breakfast,
and suddenly this image of Cathy eating my breakfast every morning for
four years pops into my head. I suppose I should worry. If she's sending
me breakfast at ten, then I'm not likely to be getting lunch before
two... maybe I can convince Lisa to rescue me.
"Mrs. Bartlet, line three." Did I miss something? Grabbing the phone, I
try to force the easy smile from my face. "Good afternoon, Samuel. Moving
up in the world, I hear." I hope to be, and thank you again for sending
me that information on Elizabeth Blackwell. I thought it added just the
right amount of historical significance to the graduation speeches. She
gushes a little, and I wonder what kind of politician she would have
made. "I was calling to find out what we could do for you. Zoey and
Charlie are anxious to pitch in." We spend the next few minutes making
arrangements and then I pass her off to Josh for details.
"Governor, Toby and Diana wanted the next ten minutes you had free."
Sure, send them in. It's sort of funny actually. In the White House, we
used to get particular - you know, like asking for two minutes. Here, I
have ten to spare. I think I might miss that.... if I get elected. Toby's
midway through a long grumble when Diana breezes past him. "We think
we've decided on a theme, Governor." Ah, that's why Toby's grumbling. We
had this same discussion twelve years ago. He thinks a theme for an
entire campaign is stupid, and as the candidate, I'd have to agree with
him. "But, sir...." No theme. No way. We're going to talk about the
issues. I don't want to be a smoke and mirrors sideshow.
Josh sticks his head in then, and tells me we're leaving for New
Hampshire on Sunday. "Oh, and Sam, I'm firing William after lunch." There
are two parts of that sentence that grab my attention. The first is my
name. I realize that, other than Lisa and Sarah, Josh is the only person
who still calls me Sam. To everyone else, I'm just the governor. I wonder
if he'll morph into Leo in the White House. Mr. President this and Mr.
President that. God I hope not. The second is this nagging curiosity
about what finally pushed Josh over the edge. I mean, he's been talking
about firing William since, well, since we hired him actually, but why
today?
I don't get a chance to ask though, because Margaret herds them out the
door. I'm expected at the State Caucus in twenty minutes, and if I don't
leave now, I'll never make it. A wee bit melodramatic, but she's right.
It's Margaret. She's always right. Now, if only I could get her to make
Mrs. Landingham's cookie recipe, she'd be the perfect secretary. I
understand why Leo hung on to her - nervous habits aside.
*
The week was quiet - too quiet, but nevertheless, here we are, on a plane
to New Hampshire. Lisa's already starting to get excited by the prospect
of snow. I wonder if she also realizes how intense the cold that comes
with that snow can be. It's calm though. I never would have thought a
campaign plane could be described as calm, but it is. We're all lost in
thought, and I have this suspicion that the thoughts are the same.
Twelve years ago... twelve years ago I was a lawyer at Gage Whitney Pace.
Twelve years ago, Lisa and I were engaged - for the first time. Twelve
years ago Josh was dragging me back into politics. Twelve years ago, Toby
was drunk. Twelve years ago, CJ was unemployed. Twelve years ago, Leo was
king. Twelve years ago, Josh was Hoynes' gopher. Twelve years ago, Jed
Bartlet was the real thing.
Yeah, it's a little quiet in here.
"Sam?" Hmmm? Lisa drops into the seat next to me, and I'm almost afraid
to ask what's going on. "I think we need to talk." I almost ask about
what, but there's something about that tone of voice, that particular
look, that answers that unspoken question. "We're not getting a divorce."
Well, that was incredibly to the point. "You're an idiot sometimes
but...." She doesn't finish that thought, and I'm grateful. I don't want
to know what it is that I am. "Governor?" Diana creeps into view then,
and I understand. Lisa talked to her first. The statement is already
written, you know, just in case the issue comes up. "I faxed this to
Carol and CJ's got a copy. Did you want to..." I take the page out of her
hand and my eyes skim over the words. It's fine.
"You know, Sam...." Josh's voice dies out as he sees the company we've
got in here, and Diana beats a hasty retreat. "Why'd she come along?"
Lisa fixes him with a glare then. After all, with Lisa and I on the way
to New Hampshire, they aren't likely to need to a speechwriter in
California, are they? Josh bites his tongue then, and drops into the seat
across from us. "There's going to be a debate. I'm not sure that we
should do it." Excuse me? I'm pretty sure skipping the debate would be
bad. "We know Glasscock will be the Republican nominee, but there's a lot
of controversy on our side of the aisle." I already know that. We
discussed this. "The debate's going to be volatile. Klein, Reynolds,
Nichols...." I see. He's telling me I'm going to get hit from all sides.
Klein will tell them that I bailed on Cordova, Reynolds will beat me over
the head with my medication, and Nichols.... Why should I be worried
about Nichols? "He just hates you. Remember the thing with Tom Jordan?"
Uh, yeah. "Guess who's running his campaign." Shit. Someone just toss me
out of the plane and end my misery, okay?
Lisa reaches over and squeezes my arm then. "Josh, we're doing the
debate." He glances back and forth between Lisa and I, almost like he's
not sure I'll agree with her. Well, I do, and when I don't say anything,
Josh nods. He heads for the encampment Toby and Diana have created to
work on my speeches - Toby shredding and Diana crafting. CJ and Paul are
there too, and I'm sure they're about to have some strategy meeting. I
should care, but I don't, not right now.
Lisa leans her head against my shoulder then, and I'm almost ready to
doze off when her voice interrupts me. "Did you hear about Josh and
Sarah's date Friday?" Excuse me? Since when does Josh date my sister?
King of the Mountain: Part 6
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