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“Infrastructure. Investing in large-scale infrastructure will build jobs and a better life for many people in some of these areas. It will keep the labor market happy, unions satisfied, and as long as your family property and construction company doesn’t benefit directly from it, then it will make the construction industry thrive as well.”
“So new hospitals, schools, that kind of thing?” I ask, already liking the idea, with healthcare being one area I do want to focus on.
“They are too involved. Too expensive. Think large-scale residential development or commercial, in terms of shopping precincts to kick start the local economy by way of retailers.”
“You don’t think schools or health facilities would be a better investment?” I question. I know they would be welcomed.
“What about the people?” Eddie asks.
“What about them?” Oscar counters.
“Has anyone thought about asking them what they want?” Eddie asks, and I nod in agreement.
“They don’t even know what they want. It is up to us to build a vision and they will come. Harrison here will be like the pied piper and all the people will follow him, no matter where he goes.” Oscar sits back with a satisfied smile on his face, and I wish I felt his confidence. It will be a tough race for me. My competitor is someone who has been eyeing the governorship for years.
“You do realize the pied piper took all the children, right? And left the town bereft?” Eddie asks Oscar mockingly.
“Wait and see, young man, wait and see,” Oscar says, rubbing his hands together.
3
BETH
Ifinally take a breath as I see everyone seated, well fed, and happy. With only thirty minutes to go before the guests are due to leave, I can finally take a small breather. This is the time when you know ninety-five percent of the work is done and even though there is still a lot to do with debriefs and budgets behind the scenes, the event itself is complete. This is my last event for a while, so I take it all in for a moment. The beautiful flowers, the distinguished guests, the plates of lobster, and glasses of champagne. Opulence of the highest caliber; nothing is too much for this high net-worth cohort of businessmen.
My boss, Kelly, is about to have her first baby, and while the event agency can work without her, she has decided for us all to have a small break for three months. We have been busy. Being one of D.C.’s most in-demand event companies has us working almost twenty-four-seven, and while Kelly is slowing down, wanting a quieter life, my need to continue to provide for my dad and I burns under my skin.
Some of the team are taking extended vacations, Paris and London seemingly the most sought-after locations. But that is a luxury I can’t afford. Thank goodness I’ll still have a job. Kelly has kindly let me work throughout the next few months, but it will be reduced pay and hours, more admin than event management for a little while before we gear up again just in time for party season. It isn’t ideal, but I still get my medical benefits, and I hope I can pick something else up part time to help with the bills.
Looking around the room, I spot the usual suspects. Many of whom I speak to so regularly for event logistics and RSVP management that they are now good friends. It is nice. Others, though, still treat me like I am their servant and those people I steer well clear of, not wanting to give them any more reason to dislike me or our business.
My eyes flick to table four. Harrison Rothschild sits tall and confident, talking with the other businessmen around him. I wonder if the rumors are true and if he is going to announce his run for governor soon. He was a last-minute addition to the guest list today.
I take a moment to look him over. I haven’t seen him since the champagne incident. His thick, dark hair falls slightly across his face, and his broad shoulders are covered in a navy well-fitted suit. He looks like he doesn’t have a care in the world, yet he’s firm and focused on the conversations around him. I admire his strong posture and commanding nature. He looks to be in control of the entire table. It is very appealing to a girl like me whose life is always sitting on a knife's edge and could spin totally out of control at any moment.
“Beth. I need you.” I hear my boss Kelly’s panicked voice in my earpiece.
“Where are you?” I ask her quietly as my eyes sweep the room. Now that I think about it, I haven’t seen her in a while.
“Down the hall, in the corridor near the kitchen.”
“On my way,” I tell her as I walk with purpose to the other side of the room, and duck quickly down the hall.
“Beth!” Kelly pants, her hand holding the wall, her other hand resting on her very pregnant belly.
“Are you okay?” I ask, my eyes roaming her body, panic starting to well inside mine.
“The baby is coming,” she says on a breath, and I just about scream.
“What?!”
“The baby is coming, Beth. My water just broke.”
“Oh my god! Do I call an ambulance? Do you need to sit down? Do you need water?” I’m not the one about to have a baby, but with the nerves running through me, you wouldn’t know that.
“John is on his way. He will take me to the hospital,” she says too calmly, and I thank god her husband will know what to do.
“Let me get you a glass of water.” I turn quickly and slam straight into a waiter coming from the kitchen down the hall. My body repels backwards, and I fall to the floor, landing on my butt as the tray full of champagne flutes she was holding flies through the air and I watch them float, like they are hot air balloons moving in slow motion. All would be fine, except at that moment, a man walks around the corner into the hallway.
