The new President was coming into office legally with the resignation of his predecessor in a vexation of spiritual fatigue resulting from the need to explain continually why he had chosen such a person as his vice presidential running mate to begin with.
“Why did you pick him?” his closest friend, the secretary of state, felt compelled to keep inquiring. “Tell at least me. Your secret is safe.”
“There was no secret!” the nation’s chief executive responded pleadingly in his own defense. “There was nothing underhanded, no sneaky reason. I was simply exercising my best judgment. I give you my word, there was no criminal intent.”
“That’s what’s so terrifying.”