Madame President - Tara Sue Me Page 0,57
added a few new ones. Based on our previous interview, I doubt we’ll get through all of them, but that’s no longer an issue.
GBNC and the White House have agreed to do an additional four interviews. The television execs wanted more, but the White House refused. They actually used that phrase when they gave me the rundown, “the White House.” Like everyone doesn’t know they’re really saying, “President Anna Fitzpatrick will only agree to four more.” I guess they think it sounds better and less accusatory if the blame is thrown on an inanimate object.
Even though GBNC wanted six more, I think four is a reasonable compromise. Especially since the White House asked for the questions to be sent over ahead of the interview and I told George he better not agree to that. If Anna were to get her hands on the questions before the interview, she’d prepare her answers ahead of time and would come across like a robot. I know this from experience.
It’s been a week since the kiss-that-must-not-be-mentioned happened in this very room. I wonder if Anna’s thinking about it? I can’t tell from my current position because I can’t see her eyes. At the moment, she’s talking with the GBNC director, and laughing at something he just said. He has some sort of connection with someone on her staff. I don’t know the details of what they’re discussing, because I’m not paying them any attention. Or I’m trying not to, anyway. The director is a family man, I know he’s not coming onto Anna. I just don’t like her talking with other guys, even when they’re both simply doing their jobs.
The thought suddenly hits me like a ton of bricks that it’s been weeks since I’ve thought about a leak on Anna’s staff. When I first stepped into the White House in January, I had a goal, a plan, and a purpose. Now, frankly, I was little more than dead weight. Worse, I’ve all but turned into the exact type of person I despise: one of Anna’s groupies.
I could punch the wall at that realization, but I don’t. I’m not stupid enough to break or bust anything in the White House. With my luck it’d end up being an antique gift some country gave the United States a hundred years ago and its absence would be the spark setting things up for World War Three.
I’ll simply wait until I get home tonight. The building has a gym for its residents and I believe I remember seeing boxing equipment. Maybe it was time I started working out my frustrations boxing in the gym instead of jerking off in the shower.
The director walks over to me and smiles. “We’re ready to get started whenever you are.”
I want to hate him because he was talking with Anna and making her laugh. As many times as we’ve talked, which may not be that many, but is still more than the two of them have, I’ve never made her laugh that much.
“I was waiting for the two of you to finish your conversation,” I say, and level my eyes at him. “I’ve been ready.”
He’s relatively new to the GBNC network and, unfortunately for him, acts intimidated by me. I’m not above using that to my advantage whenever possible.
He looks over my head to Anna. “I’ll go let President Fitzpatrick know.”
I don’t reply. Seriously, was he trying to imply I was holding everyone up? I’m the only one in place. I need to wipe the scowl off my face before Anna gets over here. She’ll see through me in five seconds.
I take a deep breath and see Anna walking my way. I stand to greet her. “Madame President,” I say. “Thank you for agreeing to a few more interviews.”
“My pleasure,” she says, even though I know she’d rather not be doing this, and the only reason she’s agreed is because the American people are so enthralled with her, even those who didn’t vote for her. She won the election with fifty two percent of the electoral votes and fifty one percent of the popular vote. However, her approval ratings continue to rise every month.
I made no secret concerning my doubts about her ability to bring change, but she’s making progress. Even though there’s still a massive amount of work left, she’s doing a better job of getting Congress to work together than anyone before her.
When she first met with the Democrat and Republican leaders, she told them the next four years