Chapter 3
Good evening everyone, welcome to WABC News at 7pm, I'm Jack Morton. Tonight, the first mayoral debate between Senator Kate Beckett and celebrity author Richard Castle is just moments away and we're here to preview the event. Unless you've been hiding out in another country, you are probably aware the hype for this debate is like none we've ever seen in New York. Two telegenic, articulate, and wildly popular mayoral candidates are gunning for the job of mayor of the greatest city in the world and there is not a scandal in sight. Gone are the days of mudslinging and personal attacks, vicious innuendo about past missteps of relationships gone wrong, only august campaigning about the validity of their respective view for the future of New York City. Polls have these two candidates virtually even, separated by mere fractions of the popular vote. Both of their camps have been unusually silent about their respective platforms, each showing remarkable professionalism and détente in the midst of the closest mayoral race in the history of our great city. For more on the upcoming debate, let's hear from Maria Villanueva, who's live at the Waldorf-Astoria…
"Kate. Kate? Are you here?' her father Jim Beckett asks. Both are sitting backstage on folding chairs in an open area behind curtains, not an aide or chief of staff in sight. Five minutes before showtime. She is staring into space, looking at the curtains hiding the stage, with a contemplative almost serene look on her face. She startles, finally stares back at her Dad. "What? Did you ask me something?"
"I did. What are you thinking about? Are you OK? Do you want some water?" She doesn't answer, only continues to look at him like he's not even here. He's starting to worry whether the stress of the last six months is finally hitting her – she's usually so tenacious concerning public speaking that he rarely worries. This time seems different.
"Dad, I'm fine. I was… just thinking about Mom. I think she would be proud of me. And sad for me." Jim looks confused, not sure what to say. Sad is the last word he would think Johanna would say about their daughter considering everything she has accomplished over the last 10 years. "I know what you're thinking, how could she be sad? But, do you remember when I was 10 years old and Mom screamed at the TV for hours after Ed Koch became mayor, claiming this city needed someone who felt for the people and lived their lives with them? That all New Yorkers deserved a leader born here, grew up here, lived here and breathed everything the city has to offer. That memory has always stuck in my mind and somehow, someway, it feels like that's what has been propelling me for the last ten years. To get to this point – to become her idol. To fulfill her wishes."
"Oh, Katie," he sighed, with a heavy heart. "I've no doubt Mom is both smiling and laughing while consistently abusing all other patrons of Heaven with stories about little Katie Beckett. Who you are, who you've become, and more importantly, who you stand for, is greater than any parent could ever ask of a child. Win or lose this race, I'm so proud of you I can hardly put it into words. But you mentioned, that she would be sad for you. Why would you say that?"
Kate flattens her beautiful pearl-colored blouse down her chest, buying time before she answers. Her navy suit jacket hangs on a chair beside her, almost willing her to don it. In time, she thinks. I need to get this out. "Dad, I'm alone. What I gave up when I went into politics was my friends – Espo, Ryan, Gates, Lanie – and they've continued on with their lives and look at them now. Sure, they're happy for me and I constantly hear from them about happenings in their lives, but it's not the same. They are moving on, living their lives. Ryan and Jenny have two beautiful daughters, Lanie and Espo are engaged and expecting their first child and even Gates has a granddaughter now. What do I have? If anyone bothered to look, on any random weekday night at 9pm, they would find me sitting on my couch, alone, reading budgets, staring at poll numbers and watching movies. By myself. On the weekends, despite what the papers and media say, I'm at a campaign event with a man I've never met before that night, smiling and laughing at fictitious people and invisible jokes. Dad, the image of me in the media as a successful, satisfied, actualized woman is a joke. The reality is…Dad, I'm 38 years old and I'm alone. I realized early on that there was sacrifice that came with being a politician and I was OK with that. Then. Now, I'm not sure it's worth it. Did I give up too much of my life trying to live Mom's dreams?" She buried her head in her hands, trying to keep the tears at bay. Still, she continued, "Dad, I want to be in love. I want to have children. I want to be married. I want…I want.." she paused, catching her breath, then continuing, "I want a real life. A real man. A real family. Something real, like you and Mom. Dad, I'm so scared that it's too late for all that. That the machine of getting me elected will keep me from any real chance to have that. If I win this election, I'll be in my mid-40's before my term runs out. By then, my chances for children will be zero. I'm actually scared of winning this election".
Jim lets out a breath he didn't even know he was holding. He looks up to the sky, searching for guidance, but forges on, "Katie, I had no idea. I always wanted grandchildren but I didn't live or die every day with your choices. If you never a child, I was fine with it. Recent awakenings have taught me to take life one day at a time, and I value that sentiment. I love you Katie, no matter where your life takes you. I hope you know that." Jim keeps his eyes directly on hers, willing her to understand and believe that fulfillment and satisfaction from life always comes from within.
"Dad, I know you love me. I do. But…" she doesn't know how to say this. She can feel tears coming on, unsure how to continue. Her Dad is the last person she thought she would have this conversation with, especially two minutes before her first mayoral debate. Well, nothing like the truth. "Dad, in the last ten years, I've had one meaningful relationship where I really connected with another man and that only lasted a few weeks. Since then, I've never been engaged by any man who made me feel what he did. I gave everything I had into my relationship with both Josh and with Will, however, nothing compared to the connection I felt with him. Eventually, I gave up on the idea of true love and focused on my career. The man of my past got married, had a child, and I gave up on the ideal of true love." For the next few seconds, she stared at the ceiling and, after willing the tears at bay, Kate rose and grabbed her jacket, effectively putting her game face back on. Time to debate. She started to say goodbye to her Dad before he interrupted her musings.
"Katie, how do you know so much about this man?"