The Race – Chapter 2

I'm officially a loser, Kate Beckett thinks to herself. Ever since being named one of the Ten Most Beautiful People in New York City last year by "L Magazine", State Senator Kate Beckett has been on a series of pointless and high-profile blind dates, most of them set up by her PR director, Nora Carney, who, ironically, can't stand men. Now, after her latest catastrophe, a 26-year old third baseman for the NY Mets who won the 2017 National League MVP and raised $5 million dollars for Autism Speaks because of his afflicted younger brother, she decides she's given up on men. She just hung up on Nora, reminding her again to actually set her up with men who aren't gay.

"How would I know that?" Nora pleads. "He's so sweet, loves his brother, and is always on Page Six with models and actors. Aren't all male athletes drooling to meet tall, beautiful women? He even asked for you specifically." Nora has run out of excuses and decides to limit the damage by shutting up.

"It took him five minutes", she exclaimed. She really doesn't want to re-imagine it.

"Nora, the first thing he said to me at dinner, after pulling my chair out for me, which was a first by the way, was 'Thanks for agreeing to see me. My partner wasn't sure you would agree to this but I'm grateful. Even though I'm not "out", most folks know. It's tough, in my profession, to be gay but I'm doing this for my brother. Thanks.'

Now, two hours later, she sits on her couch in NYPD sweats with a mound of notes from the latest Senate Appropriations minutes to sift through, wondering if this version of her life was her calling. She closes her eyes and lolls her head back on the couch. Her phone rings. Who could it be now?

Six weeks later…

"Senator Beckett, you won't believe this! You won't believe this! You've got to see this," her newest intern, Scarlett, is way too eager for seven thirty in the morning. The girl is literally sprinting down the hallway to her office before she suddenly disappears from view. When does she sleep? Does she? Did she go home last night? Are there bedrooms in this office somewhere? As she continues her internal dialogue, a screech interrupts her thoughts.

"What the hell! Ow! Who put that there?" Scarlett stands up, rubbing her head and turning around in a 360, looking for an unseen culprit. Apparently, her new intern tripped over an invisible thread in the carpet and did a header into the office wall. Interns. She hasn't even finished her first cup of coffee and, for the life of her, a face plant into the carpet still hasn't dulled Scarlett's enthusiasm.

"Senator Beckett, did you see this?" she holds up a press release as if it's made of gold while simultaneously rubbing her already turning red forehead and entering her office.

"First of all, Scarlett, are you alright? You nearly took out two security officers, my bodyguard, and a bank of windows with your tumble. If you're going to run in this office, try and find some heels less than four inches otherwise I'm going to have to increase my insurance policy." Kate does her best to soothe the intern's clear embarrassment.

"Yes ma'am, Senator Beckett. I'm sorry." No sarcasm received. She's really got to have more meetings with her younger staff. Just because her signature look always includes heels and the latest in 5th Avenue custom business suits doesn't mean her staff has to imitate her. For another time. Anyway, let's see what Scarlett found out.

"Richard Castle. Freaking Richard Castle!" the girl is still screaming, holding papers aloft much like a winning lottery ticket.

"What about Richard Castle, Scarlett? Are you dating him? Did you two match on Tinder?" Kate goes for light, knowing full well what Scarlett is about to tell her. If there is anything politics has taught her, it's never be surprised. Sources (her Dad) have already informed her that Rick Castle is Mayor Weldon's new protégé, an A-list fundraiser with a passion for New York that Bob Weldon somehow convinced to run against her. Not to mention her favorite author.

"What? No! Senator Beckett, I would never. Alexis and I went to high school together, he's like, like ancient. Ma'am, I would never betray you that way, my loyalty is for this program and I would never…"

"Scarlett, I'm joking. Try and relax." Her intern needs some blood pressure medication or a shot of tequila or a boyfriend, she can't figure out which. Clearly, the latter. Again, for another time.

"But, did you know Richard Castle is running for mayor against you? He's officially a candidate and, according to morning polls, he's running dead even with you. The NY Times poll shows he's got almost 50% of the vote. He's charming, passionate, good-looking and single. Writes great books, has a ton of money and is single. Wait, how many times did I just say he was single?"

"Twice. Thank you, Scarlett, I'm aware of his candidacy and will continue to monitor his progress. You can go now. Please update me as to his polling numbers as you receive them." Scarlett leaves with a slight limp, leaving Kate with a wry grin on her face. Interns.

The truth is, her Dad called her about six weeks ago and informed her that a source of his let slip that Bob Weldon would not be running for re-election. She was not surprised; two consecutive terms would wear anyone out (mostly the voters) and this was her time. It didn't matter who the opponent was, this was her time, for a variety of reasons. The ennui that came with being a NY State Senator, the inability to navigate the "red tape" that came with politics and the compromises she was forced to make for her residents was more than she could stomach. She represented the Southern District of Manhattan for better or worse. But she wasn't making a difference.

She grew up in New York, the youngest police captain in NYPD history, a lifelong resident and ardent supporter of the city and a rising star in the NY State Senate. Her accomplishments over the last six years in the Senate were both noteworthy and newsworthy, with many folks calling her name as the newest rising star in New York politics. She gave powerful speeches about the sanctity of her constituents, their right to personal safety and freedom to live life without fear. She roundly proclaimed that New Yorkers earned and deserved that liberty, the liberty to live without fear. As Governor, she knew she couldn't focus enough energy on her true calling, the citizens of New York City. The same city that took her mother, that lay claim to countless lives while she was a Homicide Detective. She wanted to be mayor.

Rick Castle, despite how sweet and lovely she remembered him from that night ten years ago, was simply in her way. No matter how she felt, it didn't matter now, he was merely an obstacle.