by Mark Spaid
“I wish this was wine,” Jozette said.
“Well, I can fix that problem,” A voice said and they turned around and sat staring at the President of the United States.
“Madam President,” Jozette said as she stood up and the rest started to stand.
“Please sit down,” Ellen Lexington said and they did. “On the plane we’re less formal.”
“It’s an honor to meet you, Ma’am,” Dave said.
“And, I’m glad to meet all of you as well. I know quite a bit about each of you.” They looked at one another somewhat surprised except Dave. Ellen grinned and chuckled realizing the shock of people who just found out they’d been vetted. “The secret service does a thorough check of every aspect of your lives. You have to pass inspection before you can get on the plane or get close to me.”
“Did we pass?” Justin asked.
“I think so or you wouldn’t be here,” Ellen said grinning.
“When would you like to start our interview?” Justin said.
“Later, that stuff is boring. Why don’t you come back to my place and we’ll have a meal and some wine,” she said looking at Jozette.
“We accept your kind invitation,” Belinda said. Jozette rolled her eyes and Tatiana grinned.
“Oh, I know who you are. You’re Belinda Fanelli the fashion consultant. I’ve read your articles; good advice and I’ve been following it. Gee, I think you’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen,” Ellen said shaking her head. “I’ve seen pictures of you but in person, boy your beauty is breathtaking.”
“Thank you, Madam President, I always try to look perfect and I always do.” Julieta looked at Little Wolf and grinned.
“I think she succeeds,” Ellen said as she glanced at the rest of the group who grinned and chuckled in various ways while Belinda clasped her hands on her knee and smiled from ear to ear. Jozette lowered head into her hand and moaned. “Johnny, I mean Agent Rodriguez, will show you to the back in a few minutes.” The President left and they all looked at one another.
“That’s not what I expected,” Andy said.
“Me either, I thought she’d be more…uh…stuffy,” Ariel posed.
“I met the President once,” Warren said.
“Who, Lincoln?” Andy asked laughing.
“I wish and funny, Andy,” Warren said.
“Who’d you meet, Mr. Warren?” Little Wolf asked.
“Teddy Roosevelt. He was in Indianapolis and I hopped a train to hear him speak.”
“What was it like?” Julieta asked.
“He was smart, a genius really; his speeches were deep and he was a devout progressive.”
“What did he sound like?” Justin said.
“He had a high-pitched squeaky voice.”
“Speak softly but carry a big stick and he didn’t have a booming voice?” Andy said.
“No, but he was friendly. In those days you could go right up to the President and shake his hand. I yelled ‘Mr. President’ as he was walking to the train and he stopped, turned around and walked up to me. We talked for a few minutes.”
“About physics?” Dave asked and Warren grinned.
“Yes.”
“Was he interested?”
“Yes, I told him that physics should be emphasized in high school.”
“What’d he say?”
“He said he’d consider it but he thought that business and finance were more important,” Warren said.
“I’m not surprised at that,” Dave said laughing.
“Understandable, physics was barely even a discipline in 1906.”
“Did you ever see him again?”
“No but I wrote him a letter and told him about my work in electromagnetism.”
“And?”
“He wrote back and praised me for my insight and intelligence,” Warren said.
“Where’s the letter?” Dave asked.
“At home in a wooden box on a shelf in my office.”
“Oh yes, the Holy Grail,” Ariel said. The maid has strict instructions to never touch the box. Warren dusts the box and around it so no one else can touch it.” There was laughter and Ariel gave Warren’s arm a squeeze.
“So, you have a letter from TR that no one knows about,” Dave offered.
“Yes.”
“I wonder how many other letters are out there in someone’s possession that’ve never been read by historians.” Dave asked.
“Probably hundreds,” Justin suggested.
“Folks, the President is ready for you,” Johnny Rodriguez said and they got up and followed him. They moved in single file and past six secret service agents along the way. When they got to the red door Johnny stopped. “There are place markers for everyone.” He knocked and another agent opened the door and they walked into a large room (large for a plane). There was an oval table all set up and ready for the group and of course the President.
“Welcome, have a seat, I’m hungry,” Ellen said but they all waited until the President had sat down first…all except Belinda who sat immediately.
“Belinda,” Justin said and she turned and looked at him.
“What?”
“You’re supposed to wait until the President sits first.” Ellen was chuckling and caught Tatiana’s gaze and they both grinned.
“I am?”
“Yes, I thought you knew that. It was in the literature we were sent by the White House,” Justin said.
“Were we supposed to read that?” Ellen broke out laughing as she sat down and motioned for everyone else to sit.
“I’m sorry, Madam President, I didn’t know,” Belinda said.
“That’s alright, before I became governor, I made the meals every night and was the last one to sit.”
“So, this is kind of new to me too. People stand when I come into the room and it makes me feel funny. I’m not sure I deserve it. Now, don’t misunderstand me, the President of the United States deserves it but not Ellen Lexington from Xavier Corners, Maine. It’s a town of four hundred and seventeen with a general store that has everything and the obligatory one church and two bars. So, when I’m in the White House at a state dinner with the Prime Minister of England or the President of Brazil and many others, I feel very out of place. Here on the plane I have suspended the formality. In other words, you’re fine, Belinda.”
“Thank you.”
“Of course,” Ellen said. “Now, we’re having Maine lobster, I hope that’s okay. Oh, no one is allergic to seafood, are they?” None were and the meal was served.
“Thank you for the meal,” Ariel said.
“You’re welcome,” Ellen said and the table was cleared.
“Madam President, can I take notes?” Justin asked.
“No, let’s don’t do that, it’s too dull. We can do the interview another time.”
“Okay,” Justin said, somewhat daunted.
“Sorry, Mr. Weaver, I didn’t mean to squash you but I just want to get to know everyone first.”
“Whatever you say, Ma’am, after all you’re, the President,” Justin said. Jozette rolled her eyes and shook her head.
“Don’t remind me.”
“You don’t like the job?” Andy asked.
“Most of the time, yes but these junkets get old.”
“Do you expect it to go well?” Dave asked.
“I think so; President Deniken is in agreement and in fact it was mostly his idea.”
“Well good luck,” Andy said and Ellen nodded.
“Okay, now I want to learn about all of you.”
“I thought you had information on all of us?” Tatiana said.
“I do but it’s pretty mundane.”
“And, you want the juicy stuff?” Andy asked.
“If you like, yes.”
“Ask away,” Justin said.
“I’ll start with you, Mr. Weaver. I’ve read just about everything you’ve ever written. You’re a very good writer. Your stories are detailed, accurate and also intriguing. Yo
u write like a novelist.”
“Thank you.”
“But what interests me most are the adventures you people end up getting into.”
“We do that alright,” Andy said.
“That terrorist attack in Forest Park in St. Louis, The Romley family, Gary Landers and finding Henry Randall.”
“It’s interesting sometimes,” Justin remarked.
“And those letters that you found and your trip to South America and half of you were chased by sharks and the others were fighting to survive the jungle. But the weirdest was Stanley Burnham. I read your book…scary stuff. What a maniac he was and still is. I understand he’s in a secure facility for the criminally insane.”
“I hope it’s secure,” Justin said.
“You’re not certain?”
“With Stanley involved nothing is certain.”
“I see, well let’s hope he stays put. Now, Belinda, the fashion editor. Where do you get all your ideas?”
“I keep up on the literature, I attend shows when I can but most of all I just look in the mirror every day.” Tatiana chuckled and Jozette moaned again. Belinda was Jozette’s best friend but Belinda’s beauty was impossible to compete with for any woman. Jozette herself was beautiful but in the company of Belinda only one of them garnered the attention.
“Ah, well, normally, I’d say that was vain but with your looks I’d say that was very good advice. If every woman looked like you, we’d all be beautiful.”
“Oh, yes, Madam President, they would indeed.” Ellen glanced at Tatiana who grinned and shook her head.
“I heard about your trial for murder.”
“Yes, I did a stupid thing when I pulled out the knife.”
“And your attorney is with us.”
“Yes, Little Wolf, one of my best friends. He is the greatest lawyer ever.”
“Miss Belinda is sometimes a victim of her own hyperboles,” Little Wolf said and Ellen laughed along with everyone else except Belinda because she didn’t know what hyperbole meant.
“Mr. Kline, I’ve read your articles too.”
“They pale next to Justin’s work.”
“I wouldn’t say that. You are two different kind of writers. Mr. Weaver strikes me as a dreamer and an analyzer and you are a technician and a good old-fashioned reporter. Don’t sell yourself short.”
“Thank you,” Andy said.
“Jozette, that’s a neat name, I’ve never heard it before.”
“It was my mother’s idea.”
“A pretty name and if I may, you look like a Jozette.”
“I’m not sure I understand,” Jozette said.
“I would picture a Jozette as smart, strong, a leader and clearly you are.”
“Thank you,” Jozette said sheepishly. Ellen glanced at Tatiana who shrugged her shoulders.
“And, you are a real estate mogul.”
“I run an agency I don’t know about the mogul part.”
“You’re very successful, I read the Indiana State Real Estate report and your agency was third in sales per capita in the entire state. That must amount to something.”
“It does but I’m more interested in helping people get into a house and out of the projects.”
“I know, I read about that too and I’m impressed.”
“You are?” Jozette asked. She’d been rather cool to the President since they boarded the plane and for that matter, she wasn’t excited about the trip itself. She’d been quiet and didn’t want to discuss the trip or meeting the President. She went for Andy’s sake and everyone else’s but if truth be told she would’ve rather stayed home.
“I’m getting the impression that you’re not saying how you feel. You seem to be holding back,” Ellen said. Jozette looked at everyone then back at Ellen.
“I guess I’ve been keeping quiet.”
“I take it that it has something to do with your views.”
“Yes, Madam President.”
“I further take it that you perceive your social views as being different from mine and you feel funny being here since your presence on this plane and on this trip suggests to everyone else that you share my views and the views of my party. Am I right?” Jozette lowered her head and sighed before looking up.
“Yes, Madam President.”
“Well, for your benefit and everyone else’s let me tell all of you about who I am.”
“I’m sorry I put a damper on things,” Jozette said.
“You did nothing of the sort. My parents ran a newspaper in Maine. It was a county wide paper as Xavier Corners isn’t big enough to support a paper of its own. I delivered papers, sold advertisements and even wrote some pieces while I was in high school. I went to college and law school then ran for the county board, state representative, state senate and finally won the election for governor. When Amos Clark got the nomination for President, he chose me to balance the ticket not because we shared all of our views. Amos was a Neanderthal ideologically. I met him at the convention and we had exactly two campaign stops together. He didn’t want me around because we didn’t see eye to eye on much of anything.”
“I don’t understand,” Jozette said.
“Jozette, I’m a rare breed politically, I’m what is known as a Liberal Republican. There aren’t many of us around anymore.” They’re mostly from the past. Edward Brooke of Massachusetts was the first black senator in modern times, Governor Nelson Rockefeller and Senator Jacob Javits of New York, Senator Charles Mathias of Maryland and Senator Charles Percy of Illinois could all be classified as Liberal Republicans.
“What exactly is a Liberal Republican?” Jozette asked.
“I believe in a strong national defense. I’m pro-banking and pro-business though I’m in favor of regulations to prevent abuse. I’m a capitalist and a strong believer in private land ownership. Taxes should be cut across the board so people can spend their money they way they like. Socially, I believe that a woman’s right to choose her own destiny regarding her reproductive life is hers alone. I believe in public welfare though there have been abuses and it needs to be cleaned up. Immigration needs to be fixed. Immigrants are vital to the fabric of America and legal immigration should be encouraged. Those here illegally should be given amnesty and citizenship and no children should be taken from their parents…ever. The bad ones, well that’s different. The Statue of Liberty says give us your tired, your homeless and your huddled masses. It doesn’t say give us your felons and murderers. Those you can keep in my opinion. In a nutshell that’s a Liberal Republican.”
“Wow that is eye opening. I guess we’re not as far apart as I’d thought.”
“I hope not because I like you,” Ellen said as she smiled at Jozette who returned a sheepish grin. I’ve found that many times people are far apart as you say because they’re moving in opposite directions and don’t even know it.”
“I think perhaps you’re right,” Jozette said.
“Now, Mr. Swanzy, I understand you’re not unfamiliar with the workings of the Presidency.”
“No, Ma’am, I’m not. I was an advisor for President Alvarez as I’m sure you know.”
“Yes, I spoke to him about you and he had nothing but good things to say.”
“I’m flattered.”
“Maybe you’d like to join my team.”
“The idea is intriguing but I have a family now and I’m deep into my work on electromagnetism.”
“Well, I wouldn’t want to interrupt genius,” Ellen said and there was laughter.
“That might be a stretch but my partner and I think we’re onto something.”
“Fine, keep up the good work. I understand you left President Alvarez rather suddenly.”
“Yes, there was a…situation of sorts.”
“That’s putting it mildly,” Ellen said as she chuckled.
“I met someone.”
“Yes, the mysterious Ms. Bogornov. You are a many faceted person, Tatiana.”
“I don’t know if that’s a compliment
or an identifier but it’s accurate.”
“It’s both.”
“I was in a peculiar line of business at the time I met Dave.”
“Yes, I think that’s all we need to say about your previous calling,” Ellen said with a grin.
“Did the Secret Service think I was a security risk?” Tatiana asked.
“They think everybody is a security risk including my mother-in-law and they might have something there.” Everyone laughed at that.
“I have to say, you’re more down to Earth than I expected,” Andy said.
“Like I said, Xavier Corners only has 417 people.” Andy chuckled and nodded. “Now, Ms. Peabody, you have been doing some admirable charitable work with your money and I applaud you for that.”
“Thank you, it gives me satisfaction to help the less fortunate,” Ariel said.
“She sure helped us,” Belinda said.
“Lind,” Justin said as he touched her wrist.
“Well, she did and I don’t care who knows it. She bought me a car when mine was junk and she paid off our loan to Jozette and she paid for Gabby’s surgery and therapy so she can walk right. We could have never afforded that.” Belinda’s voice cracked then she started crying and lowered her face into her hands. Ellen looked at everyone then at Belinda.
“Well, that is a testimonial if I ever heard one.”
“I’m sorry, Madam President, I shouldn’t have said anything.”
“Why not, candor is a rarity these days, especially in my business. Don’t stop being yourself. I think everyone likes you for who you are.”
“We sure do,” Tatiana said.
“And, the elusive Mr. Warren Peabody.”
“That’s me,” Warren said and Ariel shook her head.
“You were the one person that the Secret Service was concerned about when they did their vetting.”
“I was?”
“Yes, it seems you’re not even here.”
“But here I am, Madam President.”
“They couldn’t find any record of your existence such as a birthdate, family, addresses, schools attended etc.” There was a brief period of tension, slight but tension as no one knew how to bail Warren out. The truth was the least desirable.