John Woods had a strong urge to sit down. Hell, he’d had that urge for the past forty-five minutes. And with the fundraising dinner due to go on for another hour and a half he knew that urge wasn’t going to be met any time soon.
His tux was tight and his black shoes tighter, and the soles of his feet were on fire. With a smile on his face, he shifted his weight first to his right foot and then to his left foot and then decided it didn’t make a goddamn bit of difference, as he thought about the cushioned insoles he’d left back at the house. ‘Have you seen Walmsley?’
Teddy Adleman stood in the middle of the grand marbled hall in the home of Senator Bush – who happened not to be related to the forty-third president of the United States, though the name did come in useful when booking a table at The Monocle up at Capitol Hill.
The fundraising was for a joint committee set up for congressional candidates. Notable people present:
House Minority Leader.
Senate Minority Leader.
Senate Minority Whip.
Governor of Rhode Island.
Those donating $53,400 or more, and listed as sponsors: one hundred and three.
Those donating $75,800 or more, and listed as hosts: forty eight.
Adleman said, ‘Yeah, we exchanged a couple of words right before your speech. Which was pretty good, by the way. I think he wants to speak to you after we finish the meet and VIP clutch, and going by the line of people that should be anywhere between thirty-five and fifty minutes. We scheduled sixty minutes so you’ll have a small window before Senator Bush’s speech of thanks.’
‘Did he give you any clue whether he’s open to any more negotiation?’
‘No, but I doubt it.’
‘So he wants me to sit up and beg, just for him to say no.’ Teddy said, ‘Probably.’
*
Fifty-three minutes later. ‘Come on, Walmsley, don’t give me that. You were biting my hand off for further amendments to shield immigrants from deportation. What do I have to do? Give me a break here. At least see if you can meet me half way.’
Senator Walmsley, a man who enjoyed a late night brandy as much as he did a late night cigar, tucked the ringed roll of fat hanging over of the top of his winged collar shirt back in.
‘Mr. President, I don’t know how much clearer I need to make this for you, or for your staff, who’ve persisted on calling my office at every available opportunity. I have not changed my stance when it comes to giving you my support on the reforms. I have a family to consider and my support stops when I begin to get anonymous threats.’
‘Walmsley…’
The senator cut in. ‘No. I’ve told you my answer.’
‘There must be something which will change your mind?’
‘You’ve got nothing to give me.’
John Woods bent down to whisper in Walmsley’s ear. ‘Whose pocket are you in, Jerry?’
Walmsley pulled back his head. His hair brushing against Woods’s cheek to leave a smear of Brylcreem on it. ‘Probably the same one you’re in, John.’
Woods rubbed his face. Wiped away the sticky residue. Tried to wipe away his anger. Only the former was managed. ‘Who the hell do you think you are?’
Teddy Adleman touched Woods’s arm very lightly. ‘Mr. President, people are looking. Maybe it’d be more appropriate to schedule a telephone meeting to have this discussion. There’s a window at 23.00.’
To which Woods said, ‘It’s fine, Teddy. I just want Jerry to understand I won’t let the American people be held to ransom by him or any of the pro-gun groups.’
Walmsley shook his head. Supercilious written in bold. ‘Come off it. There’s no-one being held to ransom over these gun reforms. If anyone is guilty of that, I’d say it was you, Mr. President. Those photos of the kids killed at the Liberbush Elementary. What the hell did you think they were going to do? I grieved with rest of America when it happened and so did groups like the NRA. Just because we support the right to bear arms does not mean we support crime in anyway. So, no. I’m not going to cry over a bunch of emotive pictures.’
Wood’s stepped in closer. ‘You bastard. They were kids. Kids, Jerry. Five, six, seven year olds. Gunned down. Massacred whilst in class. Helpless. Completely vulnerable. Their future wiped out, along with the future of their families who’ll have a lifetime of pain. What happened to politicians having a conscience, hey?’
‘What happened is that we got into politics… What’s wrong with you? You think a few reforms will make a difference?’
‘If it won’t, what’s the big deal then in giving me your support? Look, let’s make the reforms. Let’s make a difference to the America of tomorrow.’
‘I love my country,’ said Walmsley. ‘And I’m also a man of God, and all that that stands for. And I believe that people are driven by one of two things. Reason or force. Most of us manage to make the correct choice. But those that don’t, well, it won’t make a difference to them what laws you bring in. Meanwhile good people, law abiding people, have their constitutional rights infringed. People are worried, Mr. President, that once you start playing about with the constitution, re-writing the amendments – the soul of this country – then who’s to say the same won’t happen to the other ones? What about the sixth amendment? The accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury. Shall we change people’s right to justice? Hell, why not? And whilst we’re about it, what about the Fifteenth? Shall we play about with that one too? The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged on account of race, or color… Mr. President, guns have always been a part of who we are as a nation.’
‘But that doesn’t mean it isn’t time for change.’
‘Without the will to harm, the gun for most people is nothing more than security or a sporting weapon. Maybe before we start to look at gun control we need to look at why it’s happening. We need to look at the health care system, especially mental health. Poverty and the disenfranchised, disenchanted youth. Education, employment, communities, the long history and divide of black people and white people. And mostly we have to understand why the world as a whole has become desensitized to violence. Make a change on all of that. Find me the answers to solve those things and then, Mr. President, you’ll have my support.’
‘You’re talking crap, Jerry. It’s bullshit and you know it. All I’m trying to do is make a safer America by addressing the issue of gun-related crimes, by making sure the whole of the US, and not just a few states, have better background checks before people can buy assault rifles. That all larger capacity magazines are completely banned, which will help to make mass-shootings less easy. As well as ensuring that people with known affiliations and sympathies to terrorist activities and organizations have a lifetime ban from purchasing any kind of weapon. Doesn’t it worry you that we might be complicit – by refusing to make a political choice, by being afraid of change – in allowing influential interest groups with big bucks to buy votes in Congress with election funding…? So I’ll ask you again, whose pocket are you in? Who’s paying you to say no?’
Walmsley’s face reddened. ‘I’d be careful what you say. You’ve got enough enemies up at the Hill without making new ones… Oh, and John, I’d do something about that temper of yours, before it gets you into real trouble.’
And Walmsley turned on his heel and walked away.
‘Teddy, don’t even tell me how badly I handled that.’
‘…Everything alright, Mr. President?’
Woods turned to look at Senator Bush standing with a tall, gray haired man with a deep tan and a wide smile. ‘It is, thank you, Senator. And I appreciate you opening your home like this for the fundraiser.’
Picking a piece of buttered lobster out of his back right wisdom tooth, Bush replied. ‘My honour, Mr. President… And may I introduce you to Donald Parker? He’s a great supporter of your administration.’
Donald Parker put out his hand for the presidential handshake.
Woods smiled.
Asked the go-to meet and greet questions.
How are you?
What line of business are you in?
To which Donald Parker said. ‘I’m good. Mainly electronics. I’ve a very large company here in the States, but also several in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.’