Author's Note: Each one, teach one moment. Suzanne learns the intimacies of her newest position as Presidential Aide from the President herself and introduced to several members of the staff, including a very bitter, calculating Jane Hamilton. The following is a first meeting highlighting three important aspects of Suzanne Gibbs.
Suzanne is a modest but confident person;
Suzanne makes connections with people not necessarily in the 'circle;' and,
Suzanne defines to others her expectations in coworkers and people in general.
7:30 AM. Generally, the President had breakfast with his family, began his workday at 8 AM. Damon, his past Body, arrived at 5:30, 6 AM for physical training. Linda informed Suzanne of the President's routine and suggested to arrive at 8. An early riser, Suzanne arrived to work 30 minutes beforehand. It was second-nature; why change it, she thought. She was surprised to see the President already in the library.
"Good Morning." The President greeted.
"Good Morning, Mr. President." Suzanne answered. She placed her blazer on the chair, grabbed her pen and note pad and proceeded to his library.
10 minutes. Each workday would begin with a 10 minute conference, Linda shared yesterday. They would go over the day's agenda—add, drop, or completely change the lineup of events. Her job was to remind, more than often go with the President to meetings.
The President inspected her—from the top of her braided locks, neatly bundled in a bun, her dark pant suit, collared shirt, colorful floral scarf, to the choice in footwear in her few steps.
"To be the man, you gotta beat the man: Ric Flair." Suzanne roared with laughter.
"Woo!" Suzanne fueled the jovial conversation, imitating the television legend. "Stylin' and Profilin'…" She turned slowly to showcase her outfit.
"Nice shoes." He seemed surprised that she selected a flat dress shoe, a change from the "dressy" black sneakers she wore at their introduction.
"Thought I'd play it safe, Mr. President, knowing, and I quote, 'you hate my sneakers.'" Suzanne replied; he grinned while gathering books from his bookcase.
"Can you do the job efficiently and effectively?" He asked.
"I'd like to think so." Suzanne stood in the doorway.
"You look the part; you act the part." He nodded. "Then your choice in footwear will not result in job termination." He motioned for Suzanne to come in and have a seat; the President closed his office door.
"Suzanne, I want you to express that originality in your wardrobe too. Just make sure you always have shoes such as the ones you're wearing in your go-bag." He sat down on the couch, papers on the coffee table. He passed a document to Suzanne.
"Yes, Mr. President." She nodded. She glanced at the agenda, noticed a last-minute notation in his handwriting.
"Meet and Greet, Mr. President?"
"Every time we have a new hire, I sponsor a coffee/tea session so that others can get to know their colleague." The President began. "Also, it is a chance to exchange ideas and strategies."
45th President David Owens considered his Administration as one large family. A number of his staff members he acquired personally or followed recommendations from trusted advisors. He made it a policy to introduce every new hire through a breakfast/brunch meeting. He scheduled the meeting her second day of employment as a surprise.
"Today is your début."
"Mr. President, I am not comfortable with a group of strangers." Suzanne shared.
"This is not a request." He replied.
Suzanne sighed heavily.
"The meeting's at 10 AM." The President informed his new aide. "I would like for us to meet around 9:45, so you don't get lost."
"Yes, Mr. President."
"While we're waiting, would you please prepare the following notes?" He placed the file in her arms.
"When would you like it, Mr. President?"
"Tomorrow, please?" He glanced over other notes. "Summary, APA style and double-spaced?"
"Yes, Mr. President."
Suzanne approached the door, dreading that in two hours, she would meet a group of people and forced to engage in conversation.
"Suzanne?"
She looked directly at the President.
"It is perfectly fine to call me David before and after work hours." He shared. "Will you ever be comfortable enough to call me something other than Mr. President?"
"It's out of respect." Suzanne smiled. "You worked for it."
The rule about general meetings were business first and then a food and beverage break.
"Usually, the meetings are two, three hours long." The President briefed Suzanne. "I work with key people from Scheduling and Advance, Press Corps, and Secret Service on a team."
"Since we all work together…pretty much...coordinating schedules, press releases…"
"You got the idea." He smiled. "Did Linda explain…?"
"This is part of my job responsibility…yes, Sir." Suzanne nodded, jotting down notes. "Now, I understand the Meet and Greet…"
"Be honored…" The President placed his hand on Suzanne's shoulder. "I wrote your introduction."
Chatter filled the room and people entered in. Some grouped together, continuing conversations. Claudia sat with a group of people. Linda chatted with a Service Agent. The President began the meeting with select employees within EOP—Executive Office of the President at exactly 10 AM.
"I would like to introduce another member of our Administration. Ladies and Gentlemen, please welcome Suzanne… Suzanne…"
"Hi, I'm Suzanne Gibbs." She interjected loudly, smiled at the President.
"I stumbled, because she just got married." He laughed. Suzanne nodded. "She was McNamara when I hired her!"
There were polite, soft chuckles from the group.
"Do you prefer McNamara or Gibbs?" He whispered.
"Gibbs is fine, Mr. President."
"Mrs. Suzanne Gibbs…" The President continued. "…is the new Scheduler and my personal aide. Her desk is with Claudia Bailey and Linda Person." He glanced at Suzanne standing there, appearing bashful. He called, motioned for her to come to the podium.
"That's the new 'Body'?" Jane asked.
"Yeah." Claudia read her notes.
The President continued reading Suzanne's accolades from 6x8 index cards, slipping on his glasses.
"She is a 2005 graduate from the College of William and Mary with a degree in Government. Mrs. Gibbs is also a graduate of Georgetown University's Public Policy and Law program. She has studied English and American Constitutionality at Oxford's Hertford College. Her expertise areas are Latin American and Southern European Affairs." The conversation between Claudia and Jane continued.
"What happened to Damon?"
"Nothing, really. He's working on traveling schedules with Connie. She's accompanying the President and doing his daily schedule."
"How do you feel about her in the office with you and L?"
"Makes sense." Claudia said. "She's in Advance with us…works with the Boss….She needs to know the itinerary…It was her idea."
"Suzanne Gibbs has worked for the government since 2006—first as an educator with the Peace Corps and with the Naval Criminal Investigative Service."
"Good luck keeping up!" Claudia chimed loudly. Others laughed. Suzanne, still with the smile, continued looking at the group.
"Please welcome Suzanne Gibbs." The group clapped. Suzanne walked to the podium, stood there for a moment, gripping the ends, taking deep breaths and surveyed the crowd.
"Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you everyone." She began. "I don't have much to say, except, I am looking forward to this new chapter in my life and working with each and every one of you. Thank you."
The group applauded. Immediately, the President announced a 30 minute break for coffee and pastries and individual work sessions. The crowd dispersed and Suzanne stood back, merely observed the chatter.
An individual from the kitchen struggled with the carts. She recognized the frustrated groans, the clatter from a loaded cart. With curiosity, Suzanne peeped around the corner and assisted with the buffet stations. It was just second nature to her—unloading, replenishing, and reloading the food and beverage carts.
"I'll dress the table while you replenish." She suggested.
"Thank you."
Suzanne quickly dressed a rectangular table. "The fold will ensure a snug fit on the corners…" Suzanne said, demonstrating the sturdiness of the fold. "Also, it saves the amount of Velcro clips on square tables." She handed the excess back to the man.
"I'm Suzanne, Suzanne Gibbs." She smiled, extending her right hand. "I apologize if I overstepped…"
"Mrs. Gibbs, you're a woman of many talents."
"Suzanne, please?" She smiled.
"Roy Crawley, Craft Services." He vigorously shook her hand. "You're the new hire."
"Thanks for the welcome." Suzanne said. "Everything looks wonderful."
"I hope everything's to your liking." The two glanced at the buffet table.
"It's nice to be appreciated." Roy smiled. "The President informed us of your dietary needs—no pork-your allergies to hazelnuts and strawberries."
"Roy, stay with me for a few moments? Please?" Suzanne suggested. "All these people… I could really use a friendly face." She smiled. "Besides, you need a break."
Others were enjoying the snacks. Suzanne's nerves subsided around Roy.
"You don't do the rich and the powerful, huh?"
Suzanne nodded. "Actually, you probably know more than everyone else in this building. After all, they talked while you're stocking…"
Roy nodded in agreement.
The two stood in a corner, sipping coffee and continued their conversation. The two shared a common story—military family, craft service employees during college. Roy was attending John Hamilton.
"I have a degree in Economics." He shared. "I started here when I was 19, just basically stayed around and worked with Will, the Master Chef until I finish my MBA."
"I did the same thing once I finished undergrad." She shared. "I worked at NCIS for a year, got accepted to Georgetown."
"How long did you work in Craft Services?"
"Five years at NCIS and two years in Williamsburg." She answered. "Decent living…Hell, It helped pay for my house!"
Jane and Claudia were conversing, Jane noticed Suzanne with Roy. She moved in closer to eavesdrop.
Roy again shook Suzanne's hand, smiled once he saw Jane and Claudia approaching.
"Nice to meet you, Suzanne." Roy smiled. "I better go."
Before she could end the conversation, immediately, he left the hall and back to the service elevators.
"Hi, Claudia." Suzanne greeted.
"Mrs. Gibbs. This is Jane Hamilton from the Press Corps." Claudia introduced. "She travels with the President as well."
"It's good to meet you, Ms. Hamilton." Suzanne shook her hand.
"So tell me…Susie, is it?" Jane began.
"Actually, I prefer my given name." Suzanne politely stated, sipping her coffee. "Please call me Suzanne."
"I see…" Jane wanted to intensify the conversation, make it confrontational. "So you think you're too good to be called 'Susie?'"
Suzanne was a little surprised by the reaction. Her eyes shifted slightly while he smile remained.
"Honestly …" Suzanne stood her ground. Remarkably, she smiled and remained polite. "My family calls me Susie. It's a very personal nickname. I hope you can understand the reason."
"I'll just stick to 'Newlywed.'" Claudia smiled, chuckled. "She still has the Newlywed smell…"
Suzanne chuckled.
"Hi, Suzanne." Linda joined the group. "Claudia, Jane…"
"Hi, Mrs. Person."
"Linda, okay?" She placed her hand on her shoulder.
"Yes, ma'am."
"Do you always address people as Sir and Ma'am?"
Suzanne noticed the attitude. Still, her mood remained pleasant. After all, she thought, she might need the person.
"I do, actually." Suzanne said. "My parents taught me that manners are a sign of upbringing."
"The President wants you to meet Stephen Dash and Richard Wise from Secret Service." Linda interrupted just in time. She positioned Suzanne to face her. "They work with the President's detail; they're meeting in the last room to the right."
"Oh. Excuse me, ladies." Suzanne said. "It was nice meeting you, Ms. Hamilton." Suzanne left
Suzanne glanced and saw Roy, replenishing the side banquet table. Briefly she left the room.
"Act like you're getting more coffee…" She obliged to the request. Suzanne proceeded to walk down the corridor with Roy.
"Why did you leave?" Suzanne whispered. "I thought it was me."
"You're fine. I saw her coming."
"Claudia?" She chuckled.
"Claudia? No. She's still a little sore you got the position. That'll pass."
"Thanks for letting me know." She said in sarcasm.
The elevator opened and Roy manipulated switches the doors to stay open. "Claudia is on the level."
Quickly she picked up on Roy's disdain on Jane.
"Hamilton…as in the university descendants from John Hamilton University?" Suzanne asked. Roy nodded affirmatively.
"As in 'there's been a Hamiltonian influence in the Presidency for the last 40 years…' Hamilton. She loves stirring up trouble." Roy whispered, pushing the carts towards the service elevators. It was directly across from the meeting room. She peeped inside, noticing the group remained on coffee break.
"A word of advice, since you seem to be on the level…never left your left hand sees what your right hand is doing."
Suzanne sighed. "It's bad enough to be a woman in the workforce, but must we retract our claws and have cat fights? I don't need a fight with someone, so soon."
"It's called jealousy, Suzanne." Roy chuckled. "Get used to it. You're the President's side arm."
Roy was right. After the first orientation, Suzanne's job offered traveling opportunities, even some notoriety. It was a good position to have at age 30.
"As for Claudia, she just wants you to mix it up with Jane so she can get some kikis…" Roy added.
Suzanne chuckled, knowledgeable in her slang. 'Kiki' meant gossip. He left with a friendly smile.
"Bye, Roy!" Suzanne laughed, tried to compose herself for the meeting.
The elevator closed.