Chapter 1: Hello, My Name is

(Heard on the 6 o'clock evening news)
Breaking news tonight from Capitol Hill:

The Democratic Party was dealt a heavy blow from one of their own last night when Jacob Walters, Thelonious Jaha's running mate for the presidency, was found in the men's restroom of Heist. He was described as drunk and disorderly, and in this video tape brought to us by a club employee, you can see him clearly bring his head down to the counter and inhale a white powder off the marble. After such damning evidence, Thelonious Jaha officially dropped the easy going party boy from his campaign. On the lookout for a new running mate, Jaha has made it clear that his next selection will be a complete 180 from the disgraced Walters but many are speculating that this display has already lost the Democrats the election this year.

More at 10.

Standing 5'4" barefoot meant that Abby Griffin had to work hard to come off as intimidating to the people around her but she succeeded tonight with eyes flashing at the man currently occupying her small kitchen with enough fire to burn a forest.

"You have got to be kidding me," Abby said with a sneer, "tell me you aren't serious about this?"

She looked at the small folder of information for the only candidate still left in the "yes" pile and frowned. He was handsome enough with his head of thick hair, brown eyes, and striking features and the single women voters would eat him up if he could actually smile but from the look of his photo, he didn't know how. The man had a law degree from Stanford and was an active judge in the second circuit court where his hard stance on repeat offenders brought him the rather crass nickname. "The Double Tap". He was ruthless in his stance on the separation of church versus state which was excellent but he also expressed views about the excessive use of resources outside of the United States which was a touchy subject for every politician to take a stance on.

"I understand that you weren't going to win anything with a cocaine user for a VP but Theo, this guy has all the charm of a stump," she pressed, "no one is going to listen to what he has to say if he can't be diplomatic about it."

Thelonious grinned and turned the page on the file in front of him, "he comes highly recommended and there isn't a gray spot on his record. I have also met him on numerous occasions and he is not as undiplomatic as you think. He also won't be found snorting cocaine on the marble counter tops of some high end night club. I've made up my mind."

"He is a total stiff Theo, and there is no way he even knows how to smile or hug people! He's probably been a judge for so long that he can't even take a critisim."

The older man shook his head, "he can and will learn. Abby dear, he could be my only way to win this election after that Walters debacle. Please say you will help me."

She sighed and ran her hands through her hair as she stared down at the stern face in the folder. He looked as if he were already judging her and the rest of the world.

She rested her hand on Theo's shoulder, "I think it's a horrible idea but alright, if you say so, future Mr. President. Let's see if Marcus Kane wants to help run the United States of America."

The door opened to reveal a tall attractive man in his forties, tugging at his tie and looking around the room with a scowl. The whole room turned to look at him and Marcus furrowed his brow. There were more people here than Theo had told him about and not all of them looked happy that he had arrived but Theo found him soon enough and welcomed him with open arms. The room filled with laughter and voices once more as the crowd saw that the imposing man was welcome among them. The two men began discussing the political season while Abby watched. It was the most important part of her job, the assessment of someone, and already Abby didn't like what she saw. The man may agree with many of Theo's policies, be an upstanding citizen, and match all the criteria needed to put the Walter fiasco behind them, but Marcus Kane around people gave off the vibe of barely contained disgust. Being introverted was fine but Kane looked ill as a few reporters surrounded the two men to request quotes and press for later interviews.

"Why are you doing this?" Abby asked when Theo brought him over for introductions.

Marcus blinked in surprise, "I don't understand, you people came to me for help and I agreed but you think I have an ulterior motive?"

"Most people who want the job actually enjoy people," Abby told him, frowning, "you look like you are about to hurl or throw a punch."

Marcus threw a glance over his shoulder at the gathered group of journalists, "I enjoy people just fine Ms. Griffin. It's vultures I can't stand."

"Have something against reporters?"

"I have something against people who make a living on pointing out other people's mistakes. It is one thing to report the news; it's another to tear down people for the sake of network ratings. One good reporter can't undo the damage of a hundred all too willing to throw people under the bus."

Abby flinched at his harsh tone and lifted her glass to Theo with a sarcastic flourish, "Well done Theo, just who we need to make nice with the press."

She walked away before the man could say another word and went to find Marissa. Maybe his wife could take Theo into choosing a candidate she could actually work with.

Theo watched her go with a sad smile and clapped Marcus on the back, "guess what Abby Griffin used to be before I asked her to work help out with public relations?"

"A reporter," Marcus responded, his eyes following the woman as she walked away. He put the pieces together from the wounded look she wore as she walked away as well as his instant distrust of her.

"Got it in one," Theo told him, "welcome to being on Abby's shit list."

The younger man shrugged. He was used to people being offended by him and what he had to say. The worst part of his job was watching helplessly while victims and perpetrators alike were hounded by the press every day as if they weren't allowed to be human without the whole world judging them for it. Watching her walk away, Marcus couldn't imagine the small woman giving him any slack over the next few weeks. He had a brief thought of turning around and saying thanks but no thanks to the man behind him but shook it off. Thelonious Jaha, a person he admired as a forward thinking individual, had asked for his help and he wasn't going to walk away just because an employee got on his nerves.

"Hun, Theo has been talking to Marcus Kane at functions and events since before he decided to run for presidency. The man may be a stick in the mud when it comes to parties but he is on our side," Marissa told Abby, much to the chagrin of the shorter woman.

"Why didn't Theo ask him to be VP first then instead of Walters?" Abby asked, hoping she didn't sound as whiny as she felt.

Marissa laughed, "Marcus never said he wanted the position while Jacob threw himself into the idea full force. I suppose Theo just thought that Marcus liked where he was. I think the only reason he agreed to do it now was to help out Theo so be nice."

"Uh, huh," Abby said, "I'm calling it now; this is going to be a nightmare."

Marissa smiled and wrappd her arm around Abby's shoulder, "well with thinking like that, what could go wrong? Maybe it will be fun! At least he's nice to look at. Jacobs never did it for me with the blonde, blue eyed, tanned from the salon look."

"You are a married woman Mar," Abby said with a poke at her friends shoulder.

"Just because I'm married, doesn't mean I'm blind."

"Yeah, I'm not blind either. All his face is going to do is make this more difficult," Abby decided, "he is probably used to women giving in to all his desires."

Marissa gave Abby a strange look but didn't say anything as she watched her friend stare at the dark haired man across the room.

Looking over at the infuriating man, Abby did have to admit to herself that he was an attractive annoyance. If she could get him in a good suit and maybe trim up his hair, he could just stand and look pretty and they would be alright.

She sighed.

The chances of him keeping his mouth shut seemed extremely low and she swallowed the rest of her wine with a sigh.