by Greg Sandora
Lily was thirty-three, thin and plain, with short, dark, unstyled hair speckled with gray. She was shy, opting to stay close by her mother. Practically drooling like she was sedated, she barely lifted her head to say hello.
Betty busied herself preparing Lily for the stage, topping her head with a little floral hat pinned at an angle.
Timlin, on the other hand, was a real shocker. From the ground up, she was a study of Sandy, pink stilettos with zebra print platform heels, a tight black skirt and a very low-cut white blouse. Her hair was pulled back into a single thick braid checkered with sunny blonde highlights. It was a great look.
As I was noticing, the tone of her voice gave way her enjoyment, “You don’t remember me do you Senator?”
“How did you know?”
“Because the night we met I looked more like my sister. You seem repulsed by her. Now that my ex is out of the picture, I’m free.” Timlin twirled once to each side to show off her new look.
“Well, you’re very beautiful, Timlin.” I couldn’t imagine her looking anything like her sister.
She asked playfully, “Can I call you Jack?”
“Of course, I’d like that.”
Beaming with confidence she pressed closer whispering, “I can’t take my mind off of you. Believe me I’ve tried. If I don’t get to be involved with you...”
I cut her off trying to keep it light, “Don’t be silly, we’d love to have your help.” I figured she had great contacts and obviously, it couldn’t hurt to have her around.
“Just let me know what I can do, I’m ready to start anytime.” Timlin moved so close that our bodies were nearly touching.
To drain the awkwardness I hugged her, “It will be great…”
I didn’t finish. She was fuller figured and felt soft and beautiful. She looked up at me moving her face gently to one side. I thought she was presenting her cheek for a friendly kiss, but she moved toward me. The corner of my lip brushed her mouth and she went limp in my arms.
“Are you okay?” I whispered.
“Yes…” She exhaled.
I was invigorated as I linked arm in arm with Betty, Timlin, and Lily. We walked out to a sea of humanity who had spent the last few days getting hyped up waiting for me.
The festival was amazing, deciding last minute to bargain with Betty Hobbs rather than destroy her husbands name had paid off. The crowd was exhilarated with possibility as I gave the speech I had waited a lifetime to give.
I addressed the crowd.
“I believe that generations from now, you who were here will remember this day. The time has ended when ordinary Americans suffer under the weight of wealth and arrogance. Greed will not be rewarded.
“We are not here to condemn but instead to provide an avenue of opportunity to make it right, to rebuild America. You just heard Betty Hobbs get up and tell you that she along with her daughters, Timlin and Lily, will be donating fifty thousand acres and half their vast fortune to energy research and production.”
I called Betty and family back out onto the stage. The crowd erupted in cheers that further electrified my delivery.
“We and those we represent are creating a Legacy of Philanthropy. The Hobbs family is first. My presidency will give the opportunity. If the greed continues, there will be justice. No, there will be a reckoning. I will go after those who have raped America and hurt you in the process.”
For as far as I could see, the farmland was filled with humanity searching for meaningful change. Each sentence brought the energy level higher.
“I have not found an instance where great wealth was amassed without harm. Crimes committed in the creation of these vast fortunes will be exposed. Those who cause you pain will be brought to justice!
“Today, Liberty breathes the fresh air of change. There is nowhere to hide! The system will be cracked wide open and reworked for the greater good. I promise you that if you elect me as your president, you will see a first hundred days like no other!”
The crowd was emotional, I could see people near the stage were crying and cheering and raising there arms in defiance against a system that had failed them. The popularity of this event was opening the country’s and possibly the world’s eyes to the root of the problem.
I took the opportunity to nail Porter.
“We can not allow North Korea to fire missiles in an aggressive posture. There will be peace. I promise you that the day I am elected, the U.S.S. Ronald Reagan will be on its way to park on their doorstep. Our diplomacy is simple: fire another missile and we fire on the palace.”
The people forgot the ruts in the fields and the conditions caused when thousands force themselves onto tight quarters in the late Texas heat. Anne Griffin had done her best to accommodate the masses, expecting numbers in the hundred thousand range; when things had swelled beyond that, she called in the National Guard to deliver supplies as quickly as possible. We had to arrange to end the event and organize a safe and orderly disbanding of the crowds. People were still making their way to be part of history; the time had come to turn them back.
I took one last stab at the system before calling the epic event to a close. “The Federal Reserve is backstopping trillions in debt for the largest banks. Institutions have been bailed out to the tune of billions of taxpayer dollars. Never once did Washington succeed in helping you!
“Why is the government so willing to dedicate unfathomable amounts of money to help the rich but so averse to helping the working man down on his luck? They call it personal responsibility when the system forces you out of a job and your family out of your home. Pain, humiliation, and shame are put upon ordinary, hard-working people while the elite go unscathed, bailed out by their friends in Washington. The Fed Chairman had to send word to one of the large investment firms to hold off on awarding huge executive bonuses months after they were bailed out. They didn’t get it. He had to tell them it would look bad. What were they being rewarded for? I promise, beginning my first day in office I will sign an executive order making it illegal to speculate on oil without taking delivery. I’ll release the food the government has sitting in silos, instead of letting it go to rot to keep prices up. The founding fathers would not have allowed good food go to waste while children slept hungry in their beds.”
I was speaking over the cheers, euphoric over the sight of the throngs of everyday Americans coming together. The time had finally come to dismantle a broken way of life and begin anew.
CHAPTER FORTY-EIGHT
“That was unbelievable, Jack!” Lexi was very excited on the phone.
“The speech? I got a little carried away, the crowd inspired me.”
“All of it. The speech, the park, the people stretched out forever, the closing of the highways, the shear spectacle of it all. You know what I loved the most about the last three days, Jack?”
“I don’t know, Lexi… the history in the making, the comparison to Woodstock?”
“All that, but most of all the timing, for three days after the president was shot the country was able to come together. It was very cathartic for me and I’m sure for the people who were drawn to Big Spring. Remember right after 9/11 everybody was like your long-lost friend, we appreciated each other, and the pettiness was gone. It felt like we could love each other more if you were president. I’m not sure how it was for those watching on television. That’s the feeling I came away with.”
“I was surprised they closed Highway 87 and Interstate 20. Bill told me people were walking in for miles on foot.”
“We have footage of people walking into the park passing the Comanche Trail sign and of families swimming in the spring. Anne picked an amazing location, and I’ve got to hand it to her: she somehow kept everybody alive down there.”
“You’re not kidding, Lexi. She brought in the Texas Guard and over a thousand volunteers, and somehow managed to provide the basic necessities, even though it had to be twice the number she’d expected.”
“The people just kept coming. W
e got a lot of footage for background, the network wanted it for our archives and for posterity. This thing was big, Jack. They’ll be talking about Big Spring and using that film for years. Jack, did you know that Midnight Cowboy was filmed in Big Spring?”
“No, I have to thank Anne for the parallels to ‘69. The mood of the country is ‘revolution against the status quo’ just like then. History repeats itself. She’s gonna make a good VP.”
“Are you guys headed back to Washington?”
“Ya, another hour in the air, and we’ll be there.”
“Who’s with you?”
“There’s just the four of us, Bud, Bill, and Sandy of course. I sent Kathy and the girls out of there yesterday with Tip. Things were getting so crazy I thought they’d better get a jump on the crowds.”
“Good ole Tip.”
“I sure miss Lisa, though.”
“I know, Jack,” Lexi spoke with heartfelt sympathy. She knew how much I cared for Lisa.
“I know I’ve told you this before, but I felt so much peace when she was near.”
“I know you miss her, I’m so sorry she’s gone.”
“You have that quality of kindness, Lexi, only you’re so hyper.”
“I’m always on the run following you around, the network’s so demanding.”
“The running’s going to stop soon, and you’ll be able to stay in Washington.”
“Thanks to all the scoops the network’s given me a five-year deal. I’m finally getting some respect. Before you came along, the top brass would’ve replaced me in a heartbeat.”
“That’s not true, Lexi. You’re great at what you do, not to mention the style you bring to your reports.”
“I’m telling you, Jack, and they let you know it with anyone. Do you have any idea how many hungry reporters out there in any town USA would love to get a break, even just for the money? The networks know people are willing to do anything to make the national market.”
“Anything, Lexi?”
“Yes, Jack, anything short of killing someone I guess.”
CHAPTER FORTY-NINE
I met with Bob privately outside the residence before heading into the Oval.
“Bob, I wanted to take a minute to congratulate you.”
“For what, Mr. President?”
“I’m putting you on charge of my detail.”
“It will be my honor. Thank you so much, Sir.” I knew how much this meant to Bob. He was trying to maintain his composure.
“Do me a favor, Bob?”
“Sir?”
“I want you to triple the protection on my girls.”
“Yes, absolutely it will be done today.”
“Bob, I consider us friends. When we’re alone, call me Jack.”
“Well, you kept your word to me and I won’t forget it.”
“Good, then it’s done.”
“Jack, you know there’s one thing that bothers me...”
“What’s that?”
“There’s like maybe a handful of guys who could take that shot, and Tommy wasn’t one of them.”
“Bob, there’s one more thing you really have to promise me.”
“Anything, what is it?”
“You’ve got to give up on the assassination and give this job 100% of your focus. I can’t afford to have you distracted when you take the reins. Besides, I’m putting my best man on it. You’ll hear all about it when we get into the Oval.”
“Normally I would stand outside the office unless you need something.”
“Not today.”
The impressive character of the oval struck me. I walked into a room bathed in light with large windows framed in beautiful white colonial woodwork and raised panel moldings to the height of the seat backs. Chairs placed in pairs along the walls.
The floor was a work of art, laid in striking alternating light and dark woods covered by a gorgeous rug adorned with the Presidential Seal.
It hadn’t quite sunk in yet, my seal. The government issue furniture consisted of two exquisite tan couches facing each other each with seating for three. The couches provided the main seating along with two chairs that sit prominently at the fireplace end of the room opposite to the president’s desk.
A portrait of George Washington hangs over the mantle standing watch over the proceedings. Behind the couches is a second portrait, of Lincoln. No other president is represented on these hallowed walls. Why is no contemporary president remembered here? I imagine failure is forgettable, their absence a testament to empty promises and broken dreams.
Our time will be different, we’re gonna mark this place. This town will never be the same.
An antique grandfather clock stands stoically keeping time on the opposite wall.
Adorned with fabric coverings, the rounded walls match the seating, and the ceiling carries the Seal of the United States of America framed in raised white stars.
I can only imagine the historic conversations that have taken place in this room. Stories that could keep us all entertained for the duration of our stay. Now was no time for stories; this was our time to make history.
Everyone was seated when Sandy entered.
“He’s arrived, Mr. President,” then under her breath just to me, “I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of saying that.”
All eyes were on her as she walked up to me to whisper the message.
“This meeting is simple, gentlemen. We live in increasingly dangerous times. There is a serious threat to our National Security. I’m sure you’re all keenly aware that our enemies are finding it easy to gather and exploit information garnered on a global network.
I had called together the newly-appointed heads of all the policing and security agencies for my first morning meeting. I wanted to take control of these guys and introduce them to their new boss.
On the couches facing each other were the heads of the FBI, CIA, NSA and Secret Service. Bud, my Chief of Staff and Bill, my newly appointed Chief Advisor were seated in the two chairs opposite me. The new vice president was seated in a chair across from Bud. Bob stood quietly through all the introductions, standing just inside the door.
I turned another chair towards the group emphasizing that it was empty. Only Bud and Bill knew what I was about to say.
“I didn’t call you all here today to make sense of your recent combined failure to protect the President of the United States. This meeting is intended to be a positive step in the defense of not only the ideals of this nation, but every person’s physical safety as well. Your core mission is to provide National Security and to defend this nation from threat, both foreign and domestic. The way I see it, we must improve on our efforts by integrating the agencies here today into one unit that shares information freely, unhindered by internal politics. In order to accomplish that goal, I am creating the position of National Security Director who will be the defacto head of all your agencies. You will report directly to him and he reports only to me. This is a Cabinet-level position. Consider any order from the National Security Director as a direct order from the President of the United States.
I pressed the intercom to Sandy, “Please send him in.”
“I am honored to introduce your new Director, Mr. Robert “Tip” Thornton. You are now a team, gentlemen, and you have a leader.”
“Mr. President, I am honored by the confidence you have placed in me, and I will work to achieve the goals you have set forth.”
Turning to the couches Tip began shaking hands, letting his staff know that he would be gathering them all this afternoon in his new office in the West Wing. Tip would always be close by.
As the meeting was winding down and the group was leaving, I said, “Tip, hang with me a minute.
“Sure, Jack.”
“Pretty heady stuff, huh?”
“Yeah, I thought Bob was gonna crawl right outta his skin with all the brass in there.”
“I know it, funny right?”
Tip nodded then shook his head, “Bob.”
“I was so pissed when Barker appointed that conservative old fuck! So he’d rather have people cold and hungry?” Tip fired back.
“How do you think I feel? I want to sign those orders this afternoon and keep my promise to the people.”
“That court is way too conservative for my taste.”
“Tip, is there anything we can do? It’s 5-4 up there and I don’t want him blocking us from the bench.”
“Jack, we’ve come to far to let them get in the way now.”
“Could we send them a message, remember when that justice was mugged in Mexico?”
Tip said, “Don’t look at me I didn’t do it.”
“Funny.”
“No, seriously. We could set up a trip wire of human hair; in evening light it’s almost impossible to see. Depending on the number of steps, we could put the old man out of commission for six months or more.”
“Has that ever worked before?”
“It’s an old agency trick. We weave the hair just strong enough to cause a trip and fall. The evidence is so hard to explain.”
Tip had been dropped into places that would have killed any normal man from the fright. He was up for any challenge and once again was proving to be a valuable asset.
“I know a hooker named Brandy that we can get the hair from. She’ll be famous for a while telling the story of some kinky old guy that wanted to buy her hair. When she denies ever meeting the Chief Justice, no one will believe her.”
“I’ll spread some of her hair around his place when I show up personally to review the scene.”
“That’s ingenious, Tip.”
“It gets better. I’ll assign the case to some hotshot looking to make a name for himself. Officially, due to the salacious nature of the event he’ll report directly to me. I’ll steer him in the right direction. Not only will the Chief be laid up, but his reputation ruined. Just like that his career as a bench legislator will be over. The conservatives won’t be able to block your plans for America.”