by Beth Klein
“Should be alright,” Jake told himself, but made a mental note to keep a close eye on his boss. Saving his life was important, but no more so that saving him from public embarrassment. It was probably just a bit of Dutch courage in the face of the world’s media, but it needed monitoring nonetheless.
The room suddenly fell silent as a man in the very center of the table tapped his dessert spoon against an empty wine glass and Jake tensed with expectant anticipation.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” said the nameless man. “I’m sure you’ll agree that we have been treated to some wonderful things through the course of this evening and we should extend our thanks to the chefs and the waiting staff.”
He paused as a polite ripple of applause echoed around the room and then he continued.
“Not to decry the things that have gone before, but tonight is about one thing and that is to honor our esteemed colleague and representative William Goulding. He has proven himself time and again to be a man of flawless integrity and vision. God willing, in less than two months he will be sat in the White House, serving us all with the same purposeful diligence that he has shown throughout his short but illustrious career.”
The applause this time was far louder and sustained, and it was punctuated by cheers and shouts of encouragement that perhaps owed as much to the fine wine as they did to Goulding’s presence. The speaker waited for a full thirty seconds before he was forced to shout over the crowd.
“Without further ado ladies and gentlemen, I invite you to continue your applause as I give you Senator William Goulding, the Republican candidate and very shortly, the forty-fifth President of the United States of America.”
With applause thundering around him Goulding rose to his feet, adjusted his bow tie and when the noise had quieted to a dull ripple, he addressed his audience.
“Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, Republicans and...yeah, what the hell, good evening to all of the Democrats out there as well! For those of you that don’t know me, and if you don’t I think I should fire my campaign manager, my name is William Goulding and I’m here to tell you that I have absolutely no interest in being the President.”
Everyone in the room drew in a sharp intake of breath as if they were a single, living, breathing entity. The room descended into a silence that was so complete that you could have heard a pin drop in the next state.
“That’s right ladies and gentlemen. You heard me right, I don’t want to be the President,” he paused watching the confusion and a bit of fear settle into the faces around the table. “I want to be YOUR President. I want to be an official that’s elected by the people, for the people and always, ALWAYS inspired and empowered from working with the people.”
As the cheering erupted and the silence gave way to an ecstatic bedlam, the atmosphere couldn’t have been more extreme and Goulding rode the wave of adulation for all he was worth.
“My opposite number in the Democrat camp, President Stephen Morton is an honorable man and I believe that sincerely. I also believe that he has been a fantastic President and led this country in a safe, sensible and secure fashion for the past eight years but”, Goulding drew out the last word. “He has done so with policies that were equally safe, sensible and secure twenty years before he even won the Presidency. President Morton isn’t doing anything wrong, but I would argue that he is effectively doing nothing at all.”
Another wave of cheers swept through the gathering as Goulding said what they had all been thinking.
“America is the largest,” Goulding continued. “The most powerful and the most inspirational nation in the world and yet President Morton would have us sit comfortably, resting on the achievements of men long since forgotten and unwilling to push forward into the twenty-first century. Japan leads the world in technological design and advancement...not America. Germany leads the world in cutting edge automotive design...not America. President Morton would have you believe that apathy and acceptance are the traits we should hold dearest to our hearts.”
Goulding stopped and leaned back a little. He waited for his words to sink in, judging carefully the moment that grant the greatest impact for his next statement. “Well, I’m here to tell you that they aren’t. This is the message given by THE President and this is why I have no intention of merely stepping up to office and filling his shoes. While I have always thought of them as being big shoes to fill, I fear now that they might just pinch a little!
“By electing me, you are electing a man that will make it his sole purpose to bring this country back to the forefront of national and international advancement. I have no interest in settling for safe, I want to thrust this nation forward towards greatness once again. In a world as advanced and developed as this one, standing still is no different from taking a step backwards and I promise you now that we will not only take a step forward, we will take a huge double footed leap.”
As he warmed to his subject, Goulding looked out across the sea of expectant faces and he knew that he had them. Every last man, woman and child were hanging on his every word and the power he wielded over them was palpable and intoxicating.
He took a sip of water and continued.
“My detractors have spoken publicly about the fact that I am too young to lead this country and in response I say that these are merely the words of old men, with old ideals that are scared of change and the man that is willing to embrace it and bring it to the masses.
The men in my old regiment followed me into the worst war zone in modern times. How many of them said I was too young? Did Private Jessica Lynch tell me I was too young when me and my men rescued her? Did the happy voters who have consistently elected me to office in every one of my positions over the last decade ever stop for once and tell me I was too young to represent them effectively and efficiently? In every single instance ladies and gentlemen, the answer is no, no and NO!
The only people, who have ever said I was too young, were my disgruntled opponents, desperately looking for a cheap and easy means of derailing my campaign. Shall we look back and see where they are now? Where is Harvey Huddlestone? Where is Senator Jimmy Steadman? Where is representative Arnold Nailor?” Goulding glanced around the room, meeting the eyes of as much of his audience as possible.
“I’ll tell you where...they all disappeared into relative obscurity as soon as the little man that was too young to beat them did just that, and went on to lead his people with more competency than they could ever have hoped to have achieve. Ask any of them now if I was too young and I bet you get a very different answer to the tired debating points that they tried to rely on back then.”
Cheers and applause erupted again and it was several minutes before Goulding could again be heard above the roar of the crowd.
“I’m not your average politician, I never have been. For a start, I tell the truth! I also refuse to resort to dirty, underhand tricks to belittle my opponents. If what I stand for isn’t something you can embrace fully, then I sincerely hope that when the time comes you vote for President Morton. However, I’d be prepared to accept that it was a vote wasted if I was you! If the current polls are anything to go by, President Morton could use all the votes he can get...hell, I might even vote for him myself!”
Chuckles and coughing laughter rippled through the room. Goulding smiled and nodded with them, sharing their mirth.
“President Morton says I’m too young...I say that what I lack in years, I make up for with a track record of success, support and a willingness to change. I’ll hold my hands up and tell you now that I still have a lot to learn and will probably make plenty of mistakes to make. But what would you rather have, a President who’s willing to learn, adapt and change? Or a President so stuck in his ways that he is too terrified to try anything new and completely unwilling to accept change in any form?”
Another pause. Murmurs moved briefly through the crowd as they agreed with their candidate.
“President Morton says I’m single and as such l
ack the knowledge to successfully deliver and defend family values...I say that I’m the Republican candidate and that I have the support of the wonderful Evangelist movement. What more backing does he want? Nothing, NOTHING is more important to me than family. It is the bedrock that we all base our lives on and without it we would never have the strength to grow and develop. Without a solid family unit, our dreams would remain just that...something to be hoped for, but never attained.
When I was recovering from my injuries in 2003, I had given up hope and very nearly the will to live. There was one thing that gave me to the strength to carry on, one thing that made me realize that I still had a life to live and something to offer my fellow man. Without the love and support of my father, I might not be standing before you today and in six weeks when we celebrate a successful campaign, I think it is important for you to know the debt of gratitude that I owe him...a debt of gratitude anyone who votes for me owes him. He is the strongest man I know, not because of how much he can lift, but because of the belief in his convictions and the love he has for his family. President Morton, if you think I have little concept of family values, or the understanding and ability to promote and uphold them, I suggest you give General William Goulding Senior a call.”
This time it took at least five minutes for the applause to die down and it gave Goulding a chance to look at is campaign team and judge their reactions. John Lyndsey watched on in awe and even though he had helped Goulding write the speech he could never have envisaged the power and the effect that their words would instill. He gave Goulding a thumbs up and desperately hoped that he could close out the speech in as much of an enigmatic fashion as it had begun.
Charlotte was also spellbound and had finally managed to dab the tears from the corner of her eyes without them spoiling her mascara. Now she understood why so many people were willing to put up with the mood swings, the insults and the general bullshit attitude. It wasn’t the impressive salaries, it wasn’t his charm or good looks, it was the power that he exuded. He was a gladiator of his chosen arena, a young pretender to the crown that had all of the talent and prestige to back up the boasting and the hype.
At that point, she knew without a question of a doubt that she was looking into the eyes of the next President of the United States and his power had ensnared her completely. She knew in that moment this was the man she wanted to give herself to. This was the man that she wanted to take her virginity and make her a woman and as innocent and inexperienced as she was, she burned with the intensity of her volition.
Goulding raised his hands and quieted the crowd. He was ready to close this speech and forever cement himself in Memphis history.
“Please ladies and gentlemen, you’re too kind. I have a few last things to say. Your faith in me is humbling and I want you to know that I will never do anything to make you think that it was misplaced or ill-advised. Like the rest of you, I have to answer to man’s rules on a daily basis and I embrace that fully as a law-abiding citizen of this great nation, but that isn’t the highest power that I answer to.
Even the people that I continue to serve with my very heart and soul cannot over-shadow the omnipotent power and glory of our ultimate enforcer. First and foremost in everything I do, I answer to God and it is only through his strength and good will that I stand before you today. He had a plan for me and it wasn’t to die in Afghanistan. It wasn’t to succumb to fear and depression when faced with my injuries. It wasn’t to fail in my rise through the political ranks.
It was to sit at the head of this great nation and lead its people forward into a tomorrow filled with promise and possibility. It was to lead you all into a period of never before seen progress and development and with God at one side and you at the other. I promise you that there is nothing that we cannot achieve together.” He bowed to them slightly, giving to them the respect and acknowledgement they deserved. “Thank you and goodnight.”
The sound of three hundred and fifty chairs scraping back as everyone in the hall rose to their feet was completely drowned out by the rapturous applause that crashed over Goulding in waves. The clapped, they cheered, they cried and they prayed, but without exception every single person in that room was convinced that there was no one better placed to represent their individual needs and requirements, no matter how small and insignificant they might at first appear to be. Bill Goulding was more than a Presidential candidate, he felt like a friend, like a trusted confident that would really listen and effect change on an individual basis and they already loved him for it.
All around him people clamored to shake his hand. In order to avoid the head table from being over-turned by the sheer weight of pressing bodies, Goulding stepped into the massed crowd and greeted his public. He was instantly swallowed; the crowd opening and then closing behind him as if he was Moses and they were the Red Sea. Jake’s worst fears were confirmed. As tall as he was, Jake was barely able to make out Goulding amongst the throng and he had no chance of protecting him if anything out of the ordinary were to occur. It was all very good proclaiming himself to be the ‘People’s President’, but if he was to make it that far, he would have to listen to Jake’s advice and take the necessary precautions.
As Jake fought to catch up with his boss, Goulding found himself forced to the edge of the room towards a group of three men that stood completely separate to the main body of the crowd. The three middle-aged men stood quietly waiting for him as if they knew with some pre-ordained certainty that Goulding would eventually come to them instead of them having to seek out an audience with him.
“Senator Goulding,” said the tallest of the three men in a cold, hard voice. “We were beginning to wonder just what we had to do to get you to acknowledge our presence.”
For the first time Goulding looked up and instantly the smile fell from his face. The men that stood facing him were Arthur Deane, Frazer Martin and Larry Ackermann and together they represented the three managing directors from Quest Realtors.
* * *
Cold panic coursed through Goulding’s body and at the same time he felt sweat prickle his forehead. His palms itched as if they had been exposed to a naked flame and he would have dearly loved to turn on his heel and bolt for the door, but the jostling crowd at his back held him immobile and at their mercy.
“Where the fuck was Jake?” he thought. “This is exactly what I’m paying that useless bastard to protect me from.”
He scanned the crowd hurriedly and at one point he thought that he could see the shinning pate of his head of security bobbing excitedly as it fought against the tide of humanity, but then the sea of people pulsed almost as one and it was gone. He was alone, exposed and only had his own considerable wit and charm to rely on. Would it prove to be enough?
Goulding gulped loudly and turned to face the music. Part of him had expected this confrontation all along, but another part had dared to hope that if he ignored the threats for long enough they would simply disappear.
“Gentlemen,” he said and was pleased to hear that his voice sounded strong and even. “It’s been far too long. How are you all? Frazer, how’s Margery and the kids? All good I hope.”
“They’re fine Bill,” said Frazer coldly and then the four men merely stood and stared at each other. Finally Frazer broke the silence.
“You know why we’re here Bill. We have something to discuss and I think that it’s a piece of business that you would prefer we conducted in private instead of under the noses of your loyal constituents.”
Goulding nodded and was just wondering how best he could extricate himself from the hall when he caught site of John Lyndsey. Jake stood next to him. When all three men locked eyes, the look of relief on their faces was palpable. Jake made as if to launch himself back into the sea of people, but Goulding hurriedly waved him off. Looking directly at John he mimed a circular, rotating motion with his index finger and then drew that finger across his throat. It was the pre-agreed signal for his team to wrap things up if they got out of hand a
nd instantly both John and Jake sprang into action.
“People, PEOPLE!” bellowed John in a voice that completely betrayed his slight stature and made Jake proud. “The Senator appreciates your support and everything that you have done for him tonight. He still has additional business to attend to before he can retire for the evening and it is getting late. Even the next President of the United States has to sleep some time and we would humbly ask that you vacate the premises so that he can wrap it all up and get to bed before midnight!”
Although there were a few grumbles of complaint, the main the crowd seemed to accept the statement and John’s humorous entreaty as slowly they began to file towards the doors. In a little over ten minutes, the hall was completely empty except for John Lyndsey, Jake, Charlotte, Goulding and the three men. Jake was clearly not happy at the position that Goulding had forced upon them all and made as if he was going to walk over and confront Goulding there and then. A steadying hand and a few whispered words in his ear from John seemed to placate the big man and shaking his head, he chose discretion as the better part of valor and left to check that the building was completely secure and all of the exits remained covered or locked.
“I’m going to regret that tomorrow,” thought Goulding and then gestured for the three men to be seated at a nearby table.
Goulding poured himself a glass of wine from a half empty bottle, drained the glass in one gulp. Invigorated by the alcohol, he confronted the three directors.
“Okay gentlemen. Let’s set niceties aside, shall we? You’ve come here with a purpose and I have no intention of staying here all night. How about you say what you need to say and then we can all go home?”
“That’s all we’ve ever wanted Bill,” said Frazer, who was clearly the spokesman for the group. “We’ve watched your campaign grow and blossom over the years and can’t help but feel that for the self-proclaimed ‘People’s President’, you seem to have forgotten all about some of your most supportive constituents.”
