The Campaign

by The Campaign (retail) (epub)

Back at our lab station, Meghan clears her throat and instinctively I look up. “So, are you ready for the interview tomorrow?” she asks.

  I think of Ben and the mock interview he did with me on Saturday so that I’ll be ready for whatever our on-air class reporter, Stella O’Shea (aka Casey Lieberman), asks me on Tuesday morning.

  “I’m ready,” I tell her.

  Meghan bites her lip. “Amanda, I don’t want to say too much, but I wouldn’t be a good friend if I didn’t tell you that I have a surprise I’m going to announce tomorrow. It’s BIG. And I’m pretty sure everyone’s going to love it.” She shrugs. “Just thought you should know.”

  A hot feeling of anger shoots along my spine. I don’t see how Meghan telling me that she has a BIG surprise makes her a good friend.

  She’s being the opposite of a good friend. She’s being a word that starts with B and rhymes with witch. I know Meghan, and I know exactly what she’s trying to do. She’s trying to get in my head. Scare me before the interview. She probably doesn’t even have a surprise.

  One of Dad’s favorite expressions comes to me. Funny enough, it’s about dogs. He likes to say: If it looks like a dog and barks like a dog, it’s a dog. In my case, Meghan might look like my best friend and talk like my best friend, but she’s definitely not my best friend.

  Not anymore.

  The bell rings and I grab my books and hurry off to my next class, English. I spot Ben in the hallway and rush over to him. When I tell him what Meghan said, his ears perk up.

  “What do you think the surprise is?” he asks.

  I groan, frustrated. Ben doesn’t know Meghan like I do. “Don’t you get it?” I wave my hands dramatically through the air. “She’s playing me. There’s no BIG surprise.”

  Ben motions for me to calm down. “Adams, let’s consider the possibility that she has something up her sleeve.”

  I raise a brow at Ben. “Like what? Besides her elbow. What’s bigger than longer lunches?”

  Ben shrugs. “Dunno. But what if she has something that is?”

  “We’ve got something,” I remind Ben. “Two somethings. An awesome idea for our class community service project. And a great theme for the dance.”

  Ben frowns. “But what if she drops a major bombshell?”

  He doesn’t wait for me to answer. Just claps his hands together and makes a loud KABOOM sound. A group of sixth-grade girls in front of us scatters like scared mice.

  “Ben, there’s nothing Meghan can say or do that will hurt us.” Not in the way he’s thinking. “Breathe,” I say, imitating a yoga teacher I once saw on TV.

  Ben snort-laughs. “Adams, I’m a comedian. Not a yogi. Hey, do you know how you make a tissue dance?”

  “Huh?” I ask, surprised by the sudden turn in the conversation.

  “Put a little boogie in it,” Ben says.

  “Ew! Ben, that’s gross.” Still, I give him a half smile, which turns to a smirk when I see Bree and Jayda at the end of the hallway, passing out more of Meghan’s campaign hearts.

  Who knows what Meghan has up her sleeve for this interview? But whatever it is, I’m going to be ready for her!

  MY CAMPAIGN INSPIRATION NOTEBOOK

  Richard Nixon

  BORN: January 9, 1913, Yorba Linda, California

  DIED: April 22, 1994, at a hospital in New York

  SIGN: Capricorn. Traits: Adaptable, hardworking, determined.

  PARTY: Republican

  STATUS: Married to Patricia Nixon

  KIDS: Two girls, Julie Nixon Eisenhower and Tricia Nixon Cox

  PRESIDENCY: He became the 37th president of our nation in 1969

  NICKNAME: Tricky Dick (Go ahead, laugh. I did!)

  PETS: Three dogs. Vicky (poodle), Pasha (terrier), and King Timahoe (Irish setter)

  IMPRESSIVE FACT: Nixon couldn’t read music, but he could play five instruments: piano, sax, accordion, clarinet, and violin.

  SAD FACT: He was the only president to ever resign from office.

  At dinner tonight, Mom asked how the campaign was going. I told her what Meghan said about her BIG surprise announcement, and that even though most of me isn’t worried about whatever it is she might say, part of me wants to be ready just in case. Mom made a tssk sound and said big didn’t always equal good when it came to announcements. Then she said I should read about the one Richard Nixon made on August 9, 1974.

  So here goes.

  Richard Nixon was elected president in 1969 after serving as a U.S. Representative and a U.S. Senator from California. He did a lot of good things while he was president. Like ending American fighting in Vietnam. And improving relations with Russia and China. But then something bad happened: Watergate. To make a long story very short, it was a major political scandal that went all the way up to the President of the United States.

  It started in 1972 when five men broke into the headquarters of the Democratic National Committee to steal information. When they were caught, the Nixon administration tried to cover up their involvement. But the thing about secrets is that they don’t always stay secret, and in this case they didn’t. Watergate was investigated by the FBI and Congress. A bunch of people were arrested. And finally, impeachment proceedings (that means the process to kick a president out of office) began. But before they got too far, Nixon announced that he was resigning the presidency. That was the BIG announcement Mom was talking about.

  But honestly, I don’t see how this relates to whatever it is that Meghan is going to announce. She can’t get impeached. She hasn’t even been elected.

  I keep reading about Nixon to see if he did anything that might inspire me. Finally, I find one thing. But it didn’t happen when Nixon was president. It happened in 1952 when he was running as the Republican vice presidential candidate. And the cool thing about this story is that it had to do with his puppy. A cocker spaniel named Checkers.

  During the campaign, Nixon was accused of misusing some of his political expense fund. Dwight Eisenhower, his running mate, wanted to drop him from the ticket. But Nixon defended himself before a live TV and radio audience of sixty million people (that’s a whole lot more than the 172 kids in my grade who will be listening to me tomorrow), saying he’d done nothing wrong with the money.

  Then he brought up Checkers. The puppy was a gift from one of his campaign supporters, and Nixon’s six-year-old daughter was in LOOOOVE! Nixon said they were keeping Checkers, and his speech became known as the “Checkers” speech.

  It saved Nixon’s career. He was betting on the fact that most people believed that any man who loved dogs couldn’t be all bad. Eisenhower kept him on the ticket, and Nixon went on to be elected vice president, then president.

  Nixon had a dark side. He did some bad things. Some good things too. He sure knew how to use the media to his advantage. And that was before Twitter and Instagram even existed!

  I think the lesson here is that tomorrow, when I’m interviewed, I need to do what Nixon did: use the media to my advantage and say something people want to hear.

  Who knows what the BIG thing is that Meghan might (or might not) announce.

  But it doesn’t matter. I know what I’m going to say. (Unfortunately, it’s not that someone gave me a puppy and I’m keeping it.)

  I’m going to say that I’ll be fighting for longer lunches.

  And that for our class community service project, we’re going to have a book drive and build a kid-run library. Not from the ground up, with bricks, wood, and cement. But we’re going to find a room somewhere and turn it into a place where kids from all over Arlington can come to check out cool books other kids have read. And kids can even take turns being librarians.

  And for our class dance we’re going to have a Vegas-themed party with casino tables and cool prizes.

  Come tomorrow, when Stella O’Shea (aka Casey Lieberman) interviews me, I’m going to do what Nixon did and tell the people all of these things.

  Things I know they’ll want to hear.

  Chapter Eighte
en

  LIGHTS. CAMERA. START TALKING.

  (OR, SOME THINGS ARE BETTER LEFT UNSAID) (OR: #BEACHBOUND)

  INTERIOR SCENE: A nondescript room next to Principal Ferguson’s office filled with A/V and lighting equipment. Sign on the wall reads: “Home of the Liberty Middle School TV station.” In a chair sits seventh-grade reporter Casey Lieberman, also known by her on-air persona of Stella O’Shea. Despite the fancy name, Stella looks like your average middle schooler, with crooked bangs, braces, and beat-up sneaks. Across from her sit the three candidates who are running for class president: Meghan Hart, Frankie Chang, and Amanda Adams.

  CAMERAMAN (to everyone in room)

  We’re rolling in five… four… three… two… one… and we’re live!

  Bright lights switch on. All three candidates blink, then focus on the microphone in Stella’s hand.

  STELLA (looking into camera)

  Good morning, fellow seventh graders. I’m Stella O’Shea broadcasting live with our very own class presidential candidates. The big election is two days away, and this morning I’m bringing the candidates into your homerooms so we can all get a sneak peek into the issues that move them most. I’ll start with Frankie Chang. Tell us, Frankie, if elected, what would you do to make a difference for your fellow classmates?

  A small boy who looks like he belongs in the elementary school down the road pushes his glasses up on his nose. His shirt is buttoned to his neck. His facial expression is serious. He pulls a notecard from his shirt pocket and begins to read.

  FRANKIE (from a notecard)

  If elected, I will work to ensure that every student in our class is given an extra study hall during the school day. That way kids will have less work to do at home and more time at night for things they want to do. Like play video games. Or write code.

  STELLA (nods, like she’s impressed)

  Interesting. I’m sure you’ll get a lot of votes on the less-homework-at-night thing. And tell us, Frankie, do you have any ideas for the class community service project and a theme in mind for the dance?

  FRANKIE (from another notecard)

  For the community service project, my plan is to collect old eyeglasses and distribute them to people in need.

  Frankie adjusts his own glasses, then continues without a notecard.

  FRANKIE

  To be honest, I’m only ten and I’ve never been to a dance. So I really don’t have any ideas about it.

  STELLA (fighting back a smile)

  Totally understandable. Thank you for your honesty, Frankie, and good luck.

  Stella O’Shea turns her attention to the remaining two candidates.

  STELLA (to Meghan)

  Now on to Meghan Hart. Meghan, you’ve waged an impressive campaign so far. It’s no secret your contraband donuts were a hit. So was the big sign outside the cafeteria. And those cute little pink heart stickers. Nice touch! But what our fellow classmates want to know is how Meghan Hart will make a difference.

  Meghan leans forward in her chair. She tucks a strand of blond hair behind her right ear, smiles into the camera, then begins to speak.

  MEGHAN (sweetly)

  Thanks for your question, Stella. I feel I’d make a huge difference. I’m all about what I call “The S’s.” That’s short for snacks and spirit. As president, I’d make sure we have lots more of both.

  STELLA

  Sounds great. Everyone likes snacks and spirit. And tell us, do you have ideas in mind for the community service project and the dance?

  Before speaking, Meghan glances at the remaining candidate, who experiences a sudden chill, even though the lights in the TV station make the room they’re in very HOT.

  MEGHAN

  The community service project and the dance are both a HUGE deal, and this year what I want to do is combine them. My idea is that we go as a class to nearby Sandy Point State Park and clean up the beach. Once we’re done, we can have our dance there. It would be really fun. Music. Swimming. Dancing. Roasting hot dogs and s’mores. I even have a name for it…

  Meghan looks into the camera and her glossy pink painted lips form the words “#beachbound.”

  STELLA (smiling really big)

  Wow! I love that! And I’m sure lots of our fellow classmates would agree that “#beachbound” sounds like a great way to combine community service and fun.

  Stella turns her attention to the one remaining candidate, who has a sudden, AWFUL feeling, like she’s been pushed out of an airplane with no parachute. All of the on-air tips her mother gave her last night, like sit up straight, don’t fidget, and NEVER wear horizontal stripes, seem unhelpful when she knows that what she really needs is an idea that is MUCH better than a book drive or a kid-run library or a Vegas-themed party.

  STELLA (to Amanda)

  Amanda Adams, you’re our final candidate. Tell us how you would make a difference.

  Amanda sits up straight. She doesn’t fidget. And she isn’t wearing horizontal stripes. She has on the mint green sweater her mother chose for her. She smiles into the camera, hopeful that she appears calmer than she looks as she delivers her first answer.

  AMANDA

  Thanks for having us here today, Stella. I’m all about making a difference for our class. And the place I would start would be with longer lunches. Every student at Liberty Middle School knows that awful feeling of throwing down their lunch to get to their next class in time.

  STELLA (laughing)

  Safe to say we all know that feeling. Cheers to you if you can get Principal Ferguson to go along with your plan. Now tell us your plans for the community service project and the dance.

  Amanda smiles into the camera even though she has nothing to smile about. She thinks about Nixon and how he got elected by telling the people what they wanted to hear. She tries to think of something she can say that the people want to hear. Something more exciting than a book drive or a student-run library. But she can’t think of one single thing. Her only choice is to tell her classmates what she has planned.

  AMANDA

  For our community service project, I want to do a book drive of teen books, then start a teen-run library where kids from all over Arlington can come to check out books recommended by their peers. Kids could even take turns being the librarians. And my idea for the dance is to have a Vegas-themed party with casino tables and cool prizes.

  STELLA (stifling a yawn)

  That’s nice. And that’s a…

  But before she can say “wrap” like she always says when she signs off, an idea pops into Amanda’s head and she spits it out before she has time to think about the reasons why she shouldn’t.

  AMANDA

  Stella, I’d like to add one more thing, if you don’t mind.

  Stella gives Amanda a look like she does mind, but Amanda keeps talking anyway.

  AMANDA (looking directly into camera)

  As many of you know, my mother is a congresswoman from the great state of Virginia. And if I’m elected president of our class, she has promised to take our whole grade on an insiders’ tour of the Capitol.

  STELLA (to Amanda)

  WOW! I’m sure every seventh grader out there would agree that’s super cool.

  STELLA (continuing to talk directly into camera to audience)

  Wow! An inside view of our nation’s Capitol Building is on my bucket list, and I’m betting it’s on yours, too. And with that awesome campaign promise, that’s a wrap.

  The lights dim and the cameraman turns off the camera equipment. All three candidates hurry off to their first-period classes, but one of them has a pit in her stomach the size of the state of Virginia (actually, it’s the size of a much bigger state, like Texas). And that’s because she’s just made a campaign promise she’s not sure she can keep.

  Chapter Nineteen

  FOR EVERY ACTION, THERE’S A REACTION

  (AND IN THIS CASE, LOTS OF THEM!)

  REACTION #1: BEN’S

  Ben is waiting for me when I walk out of the TV station,
and he’s grinning like he just delivered a perfectly timed punch line.

  “Adams, you killed it in there! It’s so cool that the Honorable Congresswoman Adams agreed to take our class on a field trip. Like everyone in my homeroom can’t wait to go. I mean, with that one sentence, you next-levelled things. Adams and Ball are going straight to the highest office in the class!” Ben gives me a hearty pat on the back. “Good job in there!” he says, and then his nose wrinkles up like a pug’s. “But why didn’t you tell me about it?”

  That’s a great question. But answering it honestly makes me hot and itchy inside my mint green sweater. “Um, yeah. About that…”

  We pass one boy in my class who gives me a thumbs-up and another who says, “#capitolbound!” I give them friendly waves, then lean closer to Ben. No one but him needs to hear what I’m about to say next. “My mom didn’t agree to it,” I whisper. “I made it up.”

  “WHAAAAAT???”

  Ben’s question is an eight on the loudness scale, and I motion to him to keep it down.

  “I didn’t mean to make it up, but when Meghan brought up the whole beach thing, I knew I needed something really good. Like a pièce de résistance.” Ben looks confused, so I explain. “That’s French for something so good, everyone will vote for us.”

  “Got it,” says Ben; then he frowns. “So you volunteered your mom for a Capitol tour to get votes. Brilliant. If it works. Think she’ll do it?”

  I sigh. “I think she’s going to be upset I volunteered her for something like that without asking first. And that I made a campaign promise I might not be able to keep.”

  Two girls from my PE class high-five me as we pass in the hall.

  “Great job on TV,” says Kat Hale.

  Autumn McKinley tells me she’s always wanted to visit the Capitol.

  I shake my head at Ben. “I made a promise I can’t break. I’m going to have to figure out how to tell my mom what I did and get her on board.”

  The bell rings, signaling the start of first period, but Ben just stands outside his classroom chewing on his lip like he’s thinking. I need to know what’s on his mind before I walk into Mr. Corbett’s class or there’s no way I’ll be able to spend the next forty-five minutes focused on algebraic equations. “What?” I ask.