1 Crestfallen
"Good morning, dear." Wrapped snug in her bathrobe, a young Mrs. Cynthia Snow took a second glance at her husband and smiled as she entered the kitchen. "Or should I say good morning, Senator Snow?"
Leaning over his bowl of cereal, Coriolanus sheepishly returned her smile. "Sleep well?"
"Eventually. The baby was a bit fussy, but once Livia settled down, I was able to get a good night's sleep." Rubbing her eyes, Cynthia joined her husband at the kitchen table in their cramped three-bedroom apartment. "Your first official day, are you nervous?"
Subtlety shaking his head, Coriolanus swallowed his cereal. "No. I've been waiting for this day for a long time and can't wait to get started."
"You were wonderful at your swearing in ceremony." Cynthia gnawed her lip as she began to frown. "If only I had known it was going to be that windy, I would have done my hair differently."
"You looked beautiful."
"But my hair—"
"No one noticed. It looked natural."
Cynthia shrugged, still frowning. "I suppose. They could have moved us inside sooner. They certainly took their sweet time with the photographs on the steps."
"It's all part of the ceremony." Tired of his wife's incessant complaining over yesterday's events, Coriolanus's thoughts drifted elsewhere as gripped his cup of lukewarm instant coffee. "I was hoping that you would come to my bed last night to help me celebrate."
Diverting her eyes, Coriolanus's wife forced a smile. "I wanted to, but like I said, the baby was fussy."
"She's three; she's no longer a baby. She can sleep in her own bed now. The colic isn't going to return."
"I'll move her to her own room soon, but she's too fragile to sleep alone. It's so much easier when she wakes up frightened to be right next to her."
Coriolanus inhaled deeply through his nose. "It's been too long. I need you."
Patting his hand, Cynthia smiled. "I'm sorry, darling. Things will return to normal soon. I promised."
You've been promising for three years, he thought, biting his lip.
Cynthia sipped from her husband's coffee mug. "I enjoyed the news story broadcasted last night. It's quite beneficial being the youngest serving senator at age 35. This should make you a permanent fixture in the public's eye much sooner than the other senators."
Disappointed at his wife's deflection of sleeping arrangements, Coriolanus exhaled and returned to his cold cereal. "I suppose."
"I just don't understand why the reporter would let me ramble on so much during the interview and hardly use any of it. She wasted my time. What was the journalist's name?"
"That's how journalists operate. They gather much more information than they need so they can cherry pick." The young senator set his finished cereal aside and reached for his coffee.
"I barely was on the screen." Cynthia sighed. "Oh well. Do you have orientation today?"
"No. New senator orientation happened last month in December. I told you."
"Oh." Mrs. Snow took her husband's mug and took another sip of coffee. "When do you start getting paid?"
"The first of next month." Feeling the muscles in his jaw clench, Coriolanus immediately lick his lips to hide his annoyance. "I better get to the office. I want to be early on my first day."
Cynthia followed her husband to the door and watched him don his jacket over his worn, ill-fitted suit. When he reached for his empty briefcase and tattered umbrella, her brow knitted. "Aren't they picking you up?"
"No, dear. Only the leaders of the Senate get transportation. I don't mind since the walk will do me good."
"Oh, how disappointing, your first day and everything. You deserve better."
"I deserve nothing." Coriolanus Snow gazed at his wife and paused. He wished that she would not wrap herself in such heavy bathrobes, for he still admired her 30 year-old figure—when she would allow him to see her body. He began focusing on her lips and longed for their warmth—still, after 7 years of marriage. He leaned in to kiss those lips only to see her turn her head to present her cheek.
"No, Coriolanus. I haven't brushed my teeth."
After a brief pause, he gave a quick peck to her cheek. "Yes, of course." Reaching for the doorknob, the young senator bunched his lips in frustration as he inhaled deeply through his nose in an attempt to calm his nerves.
"At least hire a taxi. It's cold out there."
Not as cold as it is in here, he thought as he stepped into the hallway. "Give Livia my love when she wakes up."
"I will, darling." Without hesitance, Mrs. Snow shut the door.
...
Excited to begin his first day as senator, Coriolanus walked with a bounce in his step to his senate office, and since most of the Capitol slept in as usual, he passed blissfully uninterrupted through the city streets. He knew not what the day held for him, but that did not matter, for he was now a senator. The son of an apartment handy man had made a name for himself. Snow will become a name not soon forgotten, he thought.
Passing easily through building security, his day was promptly put on hold when he reached his office—he could not open the locked door. Looking at his own set of keys, he did not recall receiving a key during new senator orientation. Thinking back to when he served as an aide to the former senator, he could not recall if his boss ever possessed a key since the administrative secretary controlled the door. Coriolanus had only met his new secretary once, and he did not know if the Capitol building manager had given the young secretary a key.
Coriolanus considered asking building security for assistance, but paused when he envisioned the news headlines about a new senator locked out of his own office on his first day. They'd certainly tell the media, he thought. Contemplating his options, he took a seat on a bench in the hallway and pulled out his smartphone. Scrolling through the list of names and phone numbers given to him at orientation, he debated whom to call.
The sound of hard heels stepping firmly on the marble flooring began to resonate through the hall. Senator Snow looked up to see a woman wearing a winter coat progress towards him as her high heels continued to drum out their rhythmic pattern. When she came within conversational distance, he exchanged smiles with her.
Removing her purse from her shoulder, the woman came to a stop. "Thank you."
The young senator's brow arched with curiosity. "Excuse me?"
The woman smiled as she opened her purse in search of something. "My girlfriends bet me a considerable amount of money that you wouldn't be here early. Your promptness just bought me a new dress and a pair of shoes."
A confused Coriolanus stared at the woman not knowing what to say.
"They thought for certain that you'd be like the others and stroll in at your convenience since you were an aide prior. I could tell from your campaign that you had that eager new senator vibe and would not be able to sleep late."
Coriolanus gave a light shrug. "It's true that my predecessor rarely made it in before noon."
Removing a set of keys from her purse, the woman unlocked the senator's office and let it swing open. "Shall we get this day started?"
"Who are you?"
"I'm Vera Fiducia—your secretary." She entered the office and began switching on the lighting.
The young senator jumped to his feet and stepped inside. "You're not my secretary."
"The party sent me." Setting her purse on the receptionist's desk, Vera began removing her winter coat, revealing a well-fitted red business dress that stopped just below the knees.
"Um, what about the other secretary? I can't afford two of you."
"Don't fret. He was reassigned to a larger office where he will receive the experience he lacked. He's fine." Vera took Snow's briefcase and umbrella from him. "Can I get you some coffee, Senator?"
"Um...yes, please."
Hanging the senator's coat, Vera smiled. "Go on Senator, I'll bring the coffee to you when it's ready."
Coriolanus sheepishly smiled as he nodded. "Okay. Thank you." He entered his office and took slow steps towards his desk. He had campaigned hard to get here and now he stood atop his mountain. The young senator circled around and sat in the worn soft leather chair. His chest began to swell as a long awaited smile crept across his face—a certain smile that did not appear during his ceremonial swearing.
Vera entered his office with his briefcase and a sheet of paper. Setting the briefcase by his desk, she next set the paper before him on the desk. "Here is your agenda for the day, Senator."
Glancing at the paper, the senator took notice at how many of the time slots were filled. He looked at Vera.
"Don't worry, Senator. Most of the meetings are introductions to people whom you will be in contact frequently. I'll be right back with your coffee."
"Ah...okay." Scanning the names, he only recognize a couple with which he would meet in the afternoon. He progressed to turning on his computer tablet and began scanning his email, wading through the spam.
Vera returned and set a large cup of freshly brewed coffee on his desk. "Can I get you anything else?"
"I'm good." The senator wrapped his hands around the hot cup and sniffed the steam rising off the surface. "Ahhh, perfect. Thank you, Miss Fiducia. I can't start my day without a proper cup."
The woman smiled. "Please, call me Vera."
"Okay. Thank you, Vera. Call me Coriolanus."
The secretary gave a faint smile as she studied her new boss as he sniffed his coffee once again. Vera clasped her hands behind her back. "No coffee at home?"
"Nothing this good." When Coriolanus's stomached grumbled loud from hunger, he bit his lip.
"Did you skip breakfast, Senator?"
"I had some cereal. I'm a terrible cook." The senator sipped his coffee. "Hmm, this is sublime."
With a raised chin, Vera continued her inquiry. "And your wife?"
Coriolanus sneered. "She's even a worse cook. She thinks that we can now hire someone. She still hasn't grasped that a junior senator doesn't quite earn that much."
The secretary nodded. "I see. I need to step out for a couple minutes. I'll return shortly, Senator."
"Okay. Thank you again for the coffee."
Left on his own, the young senator returned to his daily agenda. Reviewing his first meeting, the name scheduled was Ashur Magnus, but no topic accompanied the name. Why is that name familiar? Grabbing his computer tablet, he discovered that Mr. Magnus was one of the president's closest aides, which hastened Coriolanus to search his emails for anything he may have missed from this man.
Minutes later, Vera entered the senator's office with a tray containing a silver dome cover. "If you'd be so kind, move your tablet aside, Senator."
"What's this?"
Setting the tray before the senator, she lifted the dome cover to reveal a large cheese omelet accompanied with side bacon. "I can't let you begin your day without a proper breakfast. If you made an effort to be early and prompt, I can at least make sure you're fueled for the day."
Coriolanus smiled. "Thank you again, Vera."
"I hope you like cheese omelets?"
"I do. Did this come from the Capitol cafeteria?"
She nodded. "Yes. I special ordered it."
"I didn't know they made breakfast."
"Most senators don't."
"What do I owe you?"
Vera smiled. "Nothing. All senators get free meals."
"Do you?"
"No." The secretary grabbed the half-empty coffee cup. "I'll refill this."
The senator reached for his silverware. "Well. I owe you a lunch sometime...if it's permitted."
"It is." Vera smiled. "I'll be right back with your coffee, Senator.
...
Late in the morning, Coriolanus looked up when he heard a tap on the doorframe.
Vera stood under the frame and gestured to a man behind her. "Your first appointment is here to see you, Senator: a Mr. Magnus."
"Thank you, Vera." Rising to his feet, the young senator quickly donned his suit jacket.
The muscular man sporting a sharp grey suit, polished shoes, and short-cropped hair entered the office and smiled. He promptly shook the senator's hand. "Congratulations, Senator."
"Thank you." Senator Snow noticed the fringes of various tattoos that peaked just above the man's crisp white shirt collar, which Coriolanus assumed covered a completely inked muscular neck. "You're an aide to the president?"
"Yes. Yes I am."
Vera lightly cleared her throat for polite interjection. "Would you like a cup of coffee, Sir?"
"Yes, sweetie. That would be nice."
The secretary froze where she stood, staring at the man with stern eyes.
Biting his lip, the muscular man grimaced behind his mischievous smile. "Sorry, Miss. I may have had too much fun last night and have forgotten my manners this morning. Please accept my apology."
"Apology accepted." She turned to Coriolanus. "Anything for you, Senator?"
"I'm good, Vera. Thank you.
The president's aide watched the secretary walk out of the room, gnawing his lip. He turned to Snow. "I hope you like the secretary?"
The question gave Coriolanus pause. "You sent her?"
"Not me exactly, but the party thought you needed someone with experience to help guide you."
The young senator smiled. "I was an aide to the prior senator for years. I know my way around."
"True. However, the secretary you had chosen lacked the experience. You still need someone with experience to help you through the chaos."
Coriolanus sat back in his chair with a solemn face. "Or spy on me."
The muscular man chuckled. "There are much better ways to spy on you if we wanted. Secretaries are neutral territory; we never ask them to spy for us, and they forget everything they see and hear. Take her previous senator for example; I believe she worked for Senator…Trajan."
"The one who died in the hovercraft accident?"
Restraining his urge to laugh, the man nodded. "Yes, the accident. You can ask her for all of Trajan's dirty laundry, but she won't remember a thing. That's what good secretaries do."
"What do good secretaries do?" Vera stepped up to the senator's desk and set down a cup of coffee for the guest.
"Brighten the office, my dear." The man began ogling the secretary.
Vera clasped her hands together. "The way you are staring at me is sexual harassment. I could press charges. Senator Snow would be my witness."
Snow cleared his throat. "I would if necessary."
The man laughed. "As soon as the jury saw you, they'd acquit me since any man with a heartbeat would be powerless not to stare at such beauty."
Sneering, Vera shook her head. "You're pathetic."
"My dear, how long have we known each other?"
"Far too long. Long enough to know that you're hopeless, Mr. Magnus." Vera turned to leave.
"Mr. Magnus? Why the formality?" When the secretary left the office without a response, the man chuckled briefly before returning his focus to the young senator. "I envy you. You're in good hands."
"You shouldn't treat her like that."
Blowing on his hot coffee, the president's aide eyed Coriolanus. "I apologize if I made you uncomfortable. It's just a little game between Vera and me."
"I see."
Ashur took a large sip of his coffee. "Hmm, even her coffee is grand."
Watching the man take another joyous sip from his coffee, the young senator proceeded with caution. "How may I help you today, Mr. Magnus?"
The president's aide smiled. "The utmost professional, I like that." Taking another sip of coffee, he slowly set the cup down. "Well, the president asked me to see you."
"About what."
"Nothing in general. He was impressed with your campaign and your rapport with your constituents. He sees a bright political future for you."
Coriolanus gave a feigned smile. "Tell the president thank you and that I'm honored by his words, but the election was close till the end."
"Until that embarrassing video starring your opponent leaked." A smug grin formed beneath the aide's sharp eyes.
"I had nothing to do with that video." The young senator began to glare at his guest.
"We know."
Snow's glare melted into disappointment as the implications became quite clear.
"The president sent me here today to see if we have your support in next week's vote in regard to the national security bill."
Biting his tongue, Coriolanus exhaled through his nose. "I haven't had time to read the bill."
"That doesn't matter. Does the president have your support?"
Having had his electoral accomplishment just devalued by a stranger, the young senator found it difficult to respond.
Ashur reached for his coffee. "We knew that you're opponent was quite opposed to the bill. You being the aide of the previous senator, we felt assured that you possessed the same...beliefs."
Shifting in his chair, Snow swallowed. "Yes. Tell the president that he has my full support."
"Good." Ashur sipped his coffee. Detecting Coriolanus's disappointment, the aide set his cup down. "Don't let the election get to you. We're certain you would have won despite the video. We just like to be more certain when we plan out the future."
Snow nodded. "I understand."
"We also want to make sure that you get assigned to a couple of the more prestigious committees. Did you submit your committee wish list?"
"Yes."
"I hope the National Security Committee was on your list?" The muscular man returned to his cup of coffee.
"It is."
"Good. You're destined for one of the two open slots." Taking one last swig of coffee, Ashur set his cup down on the young Senator's desk and stood. "Well, I'm off. I don't want to keep you from your other appointments, Senator."
Coriolanus looked down at Ashur's offered hand, realizing all that the gesture stood for. Taking a deep breath, he shook it. "Glad to be of service to the president."
"He's very happy to have you on board and looks forward to meeting you."
"And I he."
Ashur smiled. "Good."
When the two men entered reception, Vera stood, smiling.
Ashur reached for the secretary's hand. "My apologies again, dear Vera." Placing a dry kiss upon the back of her hand, he straightened, revealing a smug grin as he released his grip. "And thank you for the coffee. Your brew is still the best in all the Capitol. Someday Miss Fiducia, you must share your coffee secret with me."
"You're welcome, Mr. Magnus."
"Now I must divert my eyes before I succumb to your beauty and stop being a gentleman." The muscled man stepped towards the door smiling.
Crossing her arms, Vera smirked. "When have you ever been a gentleman?"
Opening the door, a chuckling Ashur Magnus gave a slight nod to the new senator and departed.
Reflecting on what had just transgressed, a sullen Coriolanus receded into his office without saying a word and gently closed the door. Glancing at his tablet computer, he sat back into his chair to find that he had several minutes until his next appointment, time to reflect on the ugly truth of politics.
