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And it feels amazing.
72
New York Daily Journal
IS SENATOR HAWTHORNE GETTING IN BED WITH THE ENEMY?
From the desk of Editor-at-Large, Michael Anders.
As Mayor of New York City, I have an unique insight. As the owner of my paper, here are my thoughts…
In what’s turning out to be the spectacle of the year, rumors are now flying that New York State’s junior Senator to Washington is now getting involved in the feud between Governor Carter and New Kingston Mayor Liam Jeffries.
Rumors began to fly Friday when the Senator was photographed with the Governor at a Midtown Manhattan restaurant that was hosting a fundraiser for the Governor sponsored by China National Bank. The two were seen talking, arm in arm, at many points. Speculation as to a romantic interest between both leaders, who are single, was rife after the party. Further speculation that this was due to the potential conflict between the Governor’s Clean Air Bill and Mayor Jeffries’ quest to bring back jobs to his state simply seemed to add fuel to the fire.
The rumors surrounding Vivian Hawthorne reached a fever pitch when local residents reported that she had been sighted speaking to Mayor Liam Jeffries the next day at a local tavern in New Kingston. The two seemed to residents and observers to be familiar and enjoying an intimate setting.
The Mayor of New Kingston has made interactions at taverns, bowling alleys, Little League and Pee Wee football games a hallmark of his administration's quest to connect with ordinary citizens. This has made him accessible to many constituents as per his proponents, while his detractors in the Governor’s office claim that the mayor has consequently lost sight of the bigger picture.
Vivian Hawthorne herself has not been one to shy away from the spotlight. At 29, she is the youngest Senator to serve in the history of the United States. But at times, she has been the center of—and indeed—courted close scrutiny. The daughter of a wealthy New England private banker, Vivian has nevertheless always sought to choose her own path, entering politics, and more recently, ending her affiliation with the Republican Party. Prior to ending her political affiliation, Senator Hawthorne was a registered Democrat.
When asked regarding her relative disloyalty to either party, the Senator has often commented that “America won’t find solutions by sticking to the causes of the problems.” When challenged during a town hall meeting for her classification as an Independent, the Senator showed that she had the ability to stand up for herself when her reply to a verbal assault was, “Get the fuck out of here,” before instructing her security personnel to forcibly eject her heckler. Indeed, the Senator has often flouted traditional norms of behavior—especially behavior that is still expected of women. A self-proclaimed, ‘strong woman’, the Senator has been seen and linked romantically to a variety of high profile men, including the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, several Fortune 500 CEOs, notable figures in the world of sports, as well as many A-list Hollywood actors. When asked regarding her very active dating life, the response that many have gotten has been a simple shrug and a comment of, “I like sex – what can I say? I want to have sex with winners, not losers.”
Indeed, the outspoken nature of the Senator has many people watching the situation speculating that a simple feud between a small town mayor and a very liberal Governor may explode like nothing the state has ever seen. It remains to be seen if they predict correctly.
73
Carter
“Bastards,” I mutter, throwing the newspaper down on top of my desk. The impact of it makes my pen roll onto the ground. What’s the use of passing legislation if people think they’re just going to circumvent it?
And why is Senator Hawthorne holding secret meetings with Liam Jeffries? Who does Liam think he is? I can feel my pulse quicken in irritation. I take a deep breath and pull a bottle of Bourbon from a small drawer in my desk. I keep a secret stash for moments like these. I picked it up—bourbon—after the Persian Gulf. Makes everything easier to deal with.
I bring the bottle to my lips and take a swig, and as the heat of the liquid slides down my throat I remind myself that this isn't the Wild West and Liam isn't some rogue cowboy. I'm sitting in my office chair, and I swivel myself toward the window that overlooks an untouched, forested patch of trees—Sugar Maple, Beech, and Red Spruce. The natural landscape calms me.
Sure, it’s not New York City, but the power lies in Albany. Let’s see what Liam comes up with. I’ll slap him back down so hard he’ll forget his own goddamn name.
Because there is just one simple truth here, folks. Liam Jeffries can't bring these factory jobs to New Kingston with a blatant disregard for environmental law. He can’t decide that he’s going to poison the air, water, and crops for an entire state of 27 million people to bring in 10,000 jobs.
I won't let him get away with it. He thinks I don't care about the people of New Kingston, but he's wrong. I’m not just thinking about their wallets, I’m thinking about their lives. But of course Liam only cares about instant gratification—and booze and tits. Has he even considered what the future—
My thoughts are interrupted when the intercom on my phone buzzes. "Mr. Andrews?" I press the button to reply, "Yes Cathy?
"There's someone here to see you."
I don't re-call having a meeting. I quickly pull up my calendar on my cell phone and give it a quick scroll. Nothing. It's blank for the afternoon. "Have them make an appointment and return another day. My afternoon is full," I lie. Having an unscheduled meeting is the last thing I want to deal with today.
"She says it's important and that you wouldn’t want to keep her waiting."
There’s only one woman who flouts US politics so much.
Tina Ling.
I really need to get her off my back. But the problem is, she’s connected. Too connected.
She’s a Managing Director at China First. They’re bankrolling politicians left and right.
If I want to keep my job, continuing to serve the public, I’m going to have to deal with people like her.
