A Possible Future
This particular day in January 2008 would be remembered by New Yorkers in two different ways. For some it would be remembered in the same spirit that they remembered the defeat of the Yankees by the Boston Red Sox. For others it would be remembered in the same spirit that they remembered the World Series victory of the 1969 Mets. Either way, nobody would forget the day that a New Yorker took charge of the nation, with an "honorary" New Yorker (though for most that "honor" was more p.r. than fact) as second in command. (At least his wife was a New Yorker!)
Thus, on this day, the "city that never sleeps" took a notable pause. Public and private school students watched on televisions or listened over school intercom systems. College students from CUNY to Columbia crowded in front of video screens in dorms, libraries, or, in the case of lap tops, outside benches. If regular programming wasn't pre-empted, regular viewers pre-empted the shows in favor of 24-hour news channels. Those who listened to music opted for audio news coverage of the event. And of course, people in Time Square stood still, facing that famous video screen. Even municipal activity ceased temporarily, as some judges had scheduled the day's hearings around this historic event.
In his office John J. McCoy, Executive District Attorney of the City of New York, watched the proceedings in his office via television. He had been given an invitation, but he had turned it down: his first priority was the People. He only could spare enough time to watch the ceremony---while taping it to watch later and then duplicate as a precaution. Besides, it was best that his tenure continued with no suggestions of cronyism or special favors.
McCoy smiled at an exchange the two had had:
McCoy: You sound like a politician, Arthur.
Branch: Aren't we all, Jack?
Jack laughed out loud, than sobered as the tall, stocky gentleman in the navy suit solemnly put one hand on the Bible that his misty-eyed wife held and raised the other. After the oath was administered Jack---and millions of other New Yorkers---applauded.
"Congratulations, Vice-President Arthur Branch."