Robert Winston's prestige was so widespread that one brief appearance before the legislature was sufficient to sway them. He sold them on the idea when, in his appearance he had said, "A gathering of the western states in a convention in Denver would be a good idea if nothing more was talked about than a good rodeo. But it will take more than a good rodeo to right what is wrong with this country. I believe the last, best hope for this country lies in the west, not in the east. Let our people go to Denver and debate the great issues before us. Give them a chance to talk openly about the dryrot in our national house."
It was a high moment in his career. He had seldom appeared before the legislature of his state, preferring to exert his influence in Washington. He felt that the business of Idaho could best be served by those elected to serve in Idaho's state offices. And though his retirement was supposed to be a secret, by now most knew that he was quitting his senatorial seat. Their consent was a message to Bob Winston that his years of service to the state were being honored by this last request.
New Mexico followed suit by mid May and Nevada agreed soon thereafter. Sam Brouchet had enough clout in Nevada to tip the balance in his favor. As one news columnist put it, "If Nevada does not send delegates to this convention, Sam might call in Nevada's note and then he could do with Nevada as he pleases." It was a reflection on Sam's holdings in the state, and it was fairly accurate, even though stated in jest.
Nebraska debated the issue until the first week of June and decided in favor of attendance. When Kansas decided not to go, it was more of an incentive for Nebraska to do just the opposite. There was more than football and basketball rivalry between the two states. Nebraska was influenced by the Dakotas' decision to attend. They felt somewhat more kindred with those two states than with Kansas.
Utah almost declined to send delegates. The debate, while not bitter by political standards, failed to produce the spirit that it had in other states. But in early June the legislature consented to send the necessary five delegates.
Sam called Mitch Elliot three weeks after Mitch had arrived in Denver. "Mitch, it looks like you got things pretty well under control. What's the status on Utah and Alaska?"
"Alaska voted to send delegates on June 15 and was the last state to turn its attention to the matter," answered Mitch. "You know a lot of Alaska's energy is still being siphoned off by the Exxon Valdez disaster. A lot of the state's officials are still party to litigation which requires quite a bit of their time. Their delay in agreeing to attend was not an indication of their reluctance. A newspaper poll revealed that over 75 percent of the respondents felt that it was a good idea. Utah has already agreed."
"How are the polls looking? The ones we've taken in some of the states?" asked Sam.
"Polls taken throughout the West revealed only California and Arizona to be against the convention. Of course they were never invited anyway. A curious thing about Kansas. The poll there showed a majority of the people to be in favor, but the margin was so narrow that the Governor and the legislature jointly agreed to 'review the matter at a later time.' "
"Mitch, I think you've done a marvelous job of handling the press concerning the issue underlying the convention. It has never been put forward as a convention to decide secession. You've promoted it instead as a way for the western states to gather in one place and debate and discuss the issues common to all the West."
In their private meetings with governors and legislators of the various states, the group made it clear that if the convention came up with a plan to form a new nation, then so be it. And it was made clear to all that the Canadians were to send observers because of the precarious situation that existed in that country. No one who attended the convention was naive enough to think that the issue of secession would never be placed on the agenda. It simply was never talked about to the press or openly in any fashion. On the other hand the group had decided at the Lodge before leaving that they would not use subterfuge or deceit in their efforts. If asked directly about the intent of the convention they agreed that the question of secession should not be avoided. It just should not be promoted.
And that was exactly the way the media were handled. The media were having an awful time making a story out of the convention. There was nothing substantive that could be said about it, nothing good, nothing bad. It seemed, for all intents and purposes, to be a non event. Besides, events in the Mountain Time zone were not newsworthy, anyway. They didn't fit with TV network time planning. And that was fine with everyone involved. The less smoke, the less fire. Only one television organization really paid much attention to it and that was CNN. With 24 hour a day news coverage on its hands, it filled some awkward slots in the late hours and early morning.
As the executive director, it was Mitch Elliot's responsibility to orchestrate the convention planning. By mid June nearly everything was in place. The convention center was available for three weeks between two other scheduled sales conventions. Robert Winston had agreed to deliver the opening address. No one else had even been considered for that role. Tom Adams would also speak the first day. Sufficient hotel rooms had been hastily reserved with a surplus of twenty five for unexpected late arrivals or other contingencies. The press and television were neither encouraged nor discouraged from coverage. It made no difference to the planners.
Mitch met at least once each day with Sam Brouchet and Tom Adams to go over the details of the planning, the agenda, the speakers, the meeting rooms, the accommodations.
"We have the convention hall for three weeks," Mitch explained. "There is no way to know whether it will last two days or two weeks. Tom, you'll be filling the role of the host since the convention is in Colorado."
"It also affords him the opportunity to manipulate little details which could work in our favor," Sam said. "He can place unpopular delegates in out-of-the-way hotels, schedule meetings late at night for issues of no value to him. As far as Tom is concerned there's really only one issue on the table and that's the formation of a new nation composed of westerners, Canadian and American."
The Canadians, through Robert Hall Jeffries, Premier of Manitoba, were in touch with Adams and Mitch Elliot on a daily basis. "We have decided that each of the four western provinces would send four delegates, none of whom were currently in political office," explained Jeffries. "Edgar MacKenzy will attend. He is a former Premier of Alberta and resigned five years ago when he had proposed in the Alberta Legislative Assembly that Alberta should secede from the Canadian union. His pleas for secession were directly related to the very issues that faced Canada presently... the differences between French and English speaking citizens. Mackenzy was a little ahead of his time, but now he'll have an opportunity to come out of retirement and debate the issue again."
"I want the Canadians to be full partners in this undertaking," said Adams.
"Absolutely," echoed Sam, who had tapped in on a conference call.
"That's the approach we'll be taking," said Jeffries.
The group had met the first week of May at the Lodge in Idaho. It was now the last week of June. Every western state except California, Arizona and Kansas had agreed to send delegates to the newly called convention in Denver in July. Each of the state legislatures had been wooed, serenaded, cajoled, tempted with every political trick the group could muster. Each state had agreed to send five delegates: two Democrats, two Republicans and the Governor or his designee. This was done to maintain, to the greatest degree possible, political parity in the makeup of the convention. Since the various governors throughout the West were about evenly divided in their party affiliation, it was felt that this would remove the political overtones from the negotiations. If every invited state attended, there would be a majority of one for the Republicans; in fact among those who did attend, the count was exactly even for the two parties.
Robert Jeffries scheduled a vacation for most of July and his itinerary would conveniently take him to Denver during the first week of the convention, where it was announced that
he would be consulting with Colorado agricultural experts. The date was July 10 and the convention was a brief six days from the opening gavel. Mitch Elliot had slept very little the last week before the convention. He had practically taken up residence in the Office Plaza.
Sam called him one evening near the opening date of the convention. "Mitch, you need to get out of that damn office, get drunk, get laid or both. Why don't I pick you up in half an hour and let's go raise some hell. I can pick up a couple of 'hostesses' and be there before you have a chance to change your mind."
"Sam, you got a deal. I've been busting my butt for the last two weeks. What do you have in mind?"
"I got a cabin up by Boulder. Let's drive up there for the night."
"I'll see you in half an hour. Out front OK? Find me a brunette, Sam, with long legs and a narrow waist.
"Fine. You got it, Mitch. See ya' soon."
Mitch hung up the phone and reflected on Sam and the past few weeks. Mitch had been divorced for over five years. His marriage had produced no children so he had little to occupy his time except his work. Sam had been married for several years, and had one daughter, but had been divorced for fifteen years. Sam liked the company of women, young or old, and liked to party until the wee hours. Mitch was a workaholic but liked his sleep. But tonight was just the break in his schedule that he needed. Maybe a night of revelry would shake him out of the doldrums, breath a little fire into his belly.
Sam, true to his word drove up in front of his office building in exactly thirty minutes. From inside the lobby, Mitch could not see clearly inside Sam's car, but it was obvious that Sam was alone.
"Shit," thought Mitch. "I wonder if Sam crapped out on his promise." Mitch walked the fifty feet to Sam's car, went around to the passenger side, opened the door and sat down.
"Hey, Mitch, how ya doin?" asked Sam. "Ready for a night of rest and relaxation?"
"What happened to the gals, Sam?" asked Mitch. "I hope you got something better in mind than watching a trashy movie on pay-per-view."
"Oh, yeah, much better than that. I have to pick them up on the way," answered Sam.
True to his word, Sam drove only a few minutes, stopped in front of a very exclusive apartment complex and called from his car phone. In less than ten minutes, Mitch could see two women walking towards them from the main entrance of the building. As they approached, Mitch could see that Sam's eye for the ladies had not dimmed. Mitch saw a tall blonde woman with a gorgeous figure and long curly hair, dressed in casual slacks and long sleeved blouse, probably silk, he thought. The other was a stunning brown haired woman of medium height, also wearing what appeared to be silk pants and top. He assumed that the latter was his date for the night and prepared himself for an introduction to her. Both Sam and Mitch got out of the car to greet the approaching women.
"Good evening, ladies," said Sam. "I want you to meet Mitch Elliot. Mitch, the lovely blonde is Kira and your date is Sandra."
"Kira and Sandra, how are you? I have to tell both of you that until just now I don't think I knew exactly what the word 'chic' meant." Mitch surprised even himself with that comment, but the two women were so attractive that he felt compelled to say more than just "Hi, how are ya."
Sandra, at whom Mitch had riveted his eyes since the women came out of the building, said, "Mitch, what a lovely compliment. Sam, where have you been hiding this guy? Thank you, Mitch. I welcome any and all compliments." Kira merely smiled at Mitch then put her arms around Sam and gave him a quick kiss on the mouth, being careful not to smudge her lipstick. It was obvious to Mitch that Kira and Sam were not strangers. Now Mitch began thinking about the evening to himself. Where had Sam found two such beautiful women on such short notice? Would he correctly assume that they were call girls or prostitutes, secretaries, even someone who might work for the committee? Actually, upon thinking about it, Mitch decided he did not care and would not ask. Tonight would take care of itself, he decided. He also decided that he probably was too naive for his own good.
"I want to drive over to Lakewood and eat before we head up to the cabin. There's a great little restaurant there. Kira and I have eaten there several times. Is that OK with you and Sandra, Mitch?"
"Whatya think, Sandra? Do you trust Sam's judgment on picking eating places?" asked Mitch of his lovely companion.
"Sure, why not. I'm hungry. Just so it isn't hamburgers and french fries, Sam."
Mitch noticed that Sandra was very comfortable calling Sam by his first name, almost as though she already knew him from before. But again he affirmed that it was not going to spoil a very promising night by analyzing every word spoken. That is what he did for a living. He was damned if he would do it on his own time.
"So, Sandra, have you lived in Denver long? Or are you a small town person like me?" asked Mitch.
"Actually, I moved here from California about five years ago. I lived in several towns, small and large there. I was born in a little place called Paso Robles."
"Believe it or not, I know where that is. It's near a military base, isn't it? Camp Roberts?"
"Yes, it is!" said Sandra excitedly. "You're the only guy I ever met who knew about Paso Robles. Maybe that's a good sign." She smiled at Mitch and pursed her lips in that curious way that woman do when sending signals to a man. Mitch picked up the signals with clarity. He looked at Sandra and realized that she was easily the most lovely woman he had ever seen in his life.
They ate at the Pickard Restaurant in Lakewood. Sam's choice was credible. The atmosphere was subdued and quiet. Soft lounge music emanated from an adjoining bar across the hall from the restaurant.
"Sam, I'll never doubt your ability again, either in your taste for restaurants or blind dates," said Mitch. He looked at Sandra as he said it, hoping she would appreciate another compliment. She obviously did, smiling at Mitch and putting her hand on his.
"Mitch, I keep telling you guys that you underestimate my skills, don't I?" said Sam, laughing a deep chested laugh. "Whatya all say we get out of here and head for Boulder?"
"Yeah, let's do it," said Mitch, taking Sandra by the hand to help her out of the booth they had occupied. Sam signed for the check and together the four left to make the short drive to Boulder.
It was late when they arrived. Sandra had nuzzled up to Mitch in the back seat as they drove north and had fallen asleep. Mitch had his arm around her shoulder and it had fallen asleep. He was glad when they arrived, so he could regain the circulation in his arm.
The 'little' cabin Sam had described turned out to be a ten room structure nestled near a small lake on the outskirts of Boulder. It was 'cabin' only by virtue of being constructed of logs and pine paneled siding. Inside, a great room dominated the interior. With adjoining downstairs bedrooms and a railed upstairs overlooking the two story beamed great room, it was an impressive house. Kira had clearly been here before, but Sandra showed the same "My God, look at this place!" attitude that Mitch exhibited when they entered.
"Mitch, Kira and I will take the upstairs. We'll leave the downstairs for you and Sandra. See you in the morning. Bedrooms over there. Kitchen's in there," said Sam, pointing as he spoke to garnish his explanation.
"Ok, Sam, see you tomorrow," said Mitch a little nervously. He looked at Sandra and, summoning his courage, said, "Sandra, I'm not going to lie to you. I can't think of anything I would rather do than share a room with you tonight, but if you're not comfortable with that, I'll understand."
Sandra smiled that heart-melting smile and said very quietly, almost imperceptively, "Mitch, you're one of the nicest guys I've met in five years. Thanks for being considerate, but I didn't come up here to sleep alone. Let's find a bedroom."
With that little issue settled, Mitch began to consider the delicious possibilities for the next several hours. Mitch, you lucky bastard, you're gonna spend the night with the most beautiful, sexiest woman in Colorado. What have you done to deserve this kind of good luck?
Mitch and Sandra looked at each of the two bedro
oms and decided on the one with a kingsize bed. Sandra told Mitch that she wanted to take a quick shower before going to bed. They noticed that there were two adjoining bathrooms to this room and each picked a bathroom for their activity. Mitch showered very quickly and found a bathrobe to wear back into the bedroom. Sandra joined him moments later. She was wearing an almost transparent, gossamer nighty that barely covered her buttocks.
Mitch was in bed and watched her as she approached the bed. She put her hands on her waist just before pulling back the sheets to reveal a wasplike waist that exaggerated her large, firm breasts and round, shapely hips and derriere. Mitch thought to himself, "Did she do that because Sam clued her about my waist fetish, or was that spontaneous? Oh, who gives a damn!"
Sandra slipped under the covers and moved toward Mitch, who was already nude. "Mitch, what did Sam tell you about me, if anything, before you picked Kira and me up?" she asked.
"Nothing really. He just said that he could arrange for a couple of girls for the night. What do you mean?"
"Well, you haven't asked me much about myself, so I just wondered if you realize that Kira and I are working girls. Do you know what I mean by that?"
"Not really, unless you mean you work for Sam in his business."
"We don't work for Sam's business. We're what you refer to as 'call girls'," said Sandra with a strange little sarcasm when pronouncing the two operative words.
"Oh," said Mitch. "Is my naivete showing again?" He lied about that. He had figured that out early on but didn't feel he should make an issue of it.
"Your naivete is your charm, Mitch. A girl could do a lot worse than spend time with you. Maybe even a lifetime." Sandra looked wistfully at Mitch, as though she wanted to say more, but could not because of the protocol of their arrangement. "Mitch, lean back on these pillows. I want to do something nice for you." Sandra arranged two large pillows under Mitch's head then moved her body down the length of his torso, stopping with her head near his groin.
The Second Declaration Page 6