16 A Proposal

The next morning, a sleepless Coriolanus entered his secretary's office and found the room tense with worried looking secretaries, their solemn eyes falling on him.

Vera rose from her chair. "Good morning, Mr. President."

"Morning, Vera. Is there something wrong?"

"There was, but it has been resolved, just a couple minutes ago."

"What was the matter?" asked Snow.

"Last night, Haymitch Abernathy went missing after the banquet, and no one knew where he had disappeared. He and his team were supposed to depart by train around midnight, but security could not find young man. George just called to let us know that the victor has returned to his room in the Training Center. They are now on their way to the train station."

His jaw clenched, the president inhaled deeply through his nose. "Did he say where he was?"

"No, sir. He told George that he was out enjoying the Capitol nightlife. It looks as if no harm was done."

His mind racing, Coriolanus departed for his office without another word.

Vera entered the president's office and stood before his desk. "Are you okay, sir? You look exhausted."

Coriolanus rubbed his eyes. "I feel exhausted. I didn't sleep well."

"I'll fetch you a fresh cup of coffee."

"Thank you, Vera. Can you order me my usual breakfast? I didn't eat this morning before leaving the mansion."

Vera smiled. "I'd be happy to. Anything else, sir?"

"Yes." Snow leaned back in his chair. "I need to speak with my security assistant, in person, right away. Send for Tiberius."

Vera's smile lessened slightly. "Yes, sir. Right away."

...

Tiberius Pullo entered the president's office just as Coriolanus was finishing breakfast. He closed the door and stood before the president's desk, clasping his hands before him. "Sir, you asked to see me."

Coriolanus set his breakfast plate aside before reaching for his coffee. Gesturing with his free hand for Tiberius to sit, Snow took a long sip of coffee, exhaling noisily through his nose. "I need you to go to District 12 tomorrow and fix a problem. Apparently, young Haymitch Abernathy has eyes for my daughter. I want you to go and remind him that he already has a girlfriend in District 12 and that he should have no contact with my daughter." Coriolanus pressed his lips tight as his eyes sharpened on Tiberius. "Make sure he understands that it is in his best interest to not even say my daughter's name."

"Mr. President, is this a rush priority, needing a hovercraft, or should I keep this a quiet as possible and take the train?"

"It's already too late in some aspects. Do this as quiet as possible."

"How far did the relationship get, sir?"

Coriolanus's glare told Tiberius everything he needed to know.

"Oh," commented Tiberius. "There is no way of stopping a teenage girl from gossiping."

"True." Coriolanus sipped from his mug. "But she's a smart girl who understands politics. Hopefully, she will keep this to herself. Even if she tells her friends, no one is to approach my daughter in regard to this. Do you understand?"

"Yes, sir. Fully." Mr. Pullo cleared his throat. "What if I learn that the press is asking questions in regard to the matter?"

"The press understands that the children of Presidents are off limits."

"Not victors," commented Tiberius.

Snow took a large swig of coffee, gritting his teeth as the hot liquid warmed his throat. "The press knows what is in their best interest. They won't touch this story."

"Okay," said Tiberius. "But I would like to monitor for any discussion of the matter, just in case."

"Very well." Coriolanus turned to look out his window. "I already have enough worries with my re-election campaign about to ramp up. I don't need any distractions."

In a cold, steady tone, Tiberius said, "I'll deliver your message, Mr. President."

"Thank you, Tiberius. You may go."

As soon as Tiberius departed, Vera entered the president's office. "Can I get you anything, sir?"

Staring out his window, Coriolanus shook his head.

Vera collected the finished breakfast tray. "Is everything okay?"

Forcing a smile, Coriolanus turned and repositioned himself in his chair. "Nothing big that can't be easily fixed. How are you this morning, Vera."

"Good, sir." Vera watched her boss's smile fade. "Something is gnawing at you."

"I guess it's a combination of things." Unable to sit comfortably, Coriolanus leaned forward against his desk. "My back is killing me. Can you see if my therapist is available?"

Vera smiled. "Yes, sir. How soon?"

"Lunch if possible."

"I'll call her right now." The secretary turned to leave.

"Vera."

The secretary stopped and turned. "Yes, sir."

Snow smiled reassuringly. "Things are okay."

...

"Things are not okay," said Coriolanus into his pillow.

Straddling his back, his companion pressed the palm of her hand onto a knotted muscle between his shoulder blades. "I can see that. Your back is all knotted up. Doesn't it hurt?"

Coriolanus moaned. "I'm too preoccupied to worry about the pain."

"Can this Abernathy kid be so bad?"

"He's a hubris little bastard. I thought my daughter had finer tastes. I can't believe she is actually attracted to him."

Julia moved to the next knot in Coriolanus's back. "Love is blind."

"I'd say." The president gripped his pillow as another moan slipped out. "I've sent my guy to District 12 to remind young Mr. Abernathy that he already has a devoted girlfriend and that he should not be communicating with my daughter."

Julia's massaging slowed. "You shouldn't do that."

"Why not?"

"It's dangerous to tamper with love. Your daughter is probably going through a phase. If he is as obnoxious as you say, she should start seeing it soon enough and move on."

Coriolanus raised himself onto his elbows. "I don't have time to wait for her infatuation to fizzle out. Senator Orthos is already gunning for me and would gladly use this embarrassment to his advantage. He's the only political threat in the next election, and unfortunately, he's a serious threat.

Sitting upright, Julia placed her hands on her hips and sighed. "I'm getting nowhere with your knots." She left the bed to retrieve her bulky purse. Sitting on the bedside, she began digging within the bag and soon found the desired object. She next retrieved a glass of water from the bathroom and returned to the edge of the bed where she held out a single white pill before the president. "Here, take this."

Coriolanus stared at the round tablet. "You know I don't like taking drugs."

"This isn't the fun stuff. It's for your muscles. If you don't start relaxing, your knots are only going to worsen, and then you won't be able to ignore the pain."

Sneering, Coriolanus rolled onto his back. "I'd rather not. You're the only medicine I need."

Julia scowled at the man. "Cut the crap, Coriolanus. Trust me, you need this."

The president began pawing at her body. "I don't want to become too relaxed."

Julia rolled her eyes as she deflected his hand. "You don't have to worry that. There isn't even a buzz to this medication." She held the pill up before Coriolanus's mouth. "Now, open up."

Meeting her stare, Coriolanus opened his mouth, allowing his companion to place the pill on his tongue.

Julia passed him the glass of water and return to her purse, producing a bag of black licorice. Popping a piece of candy into her mouth, she positioned herself against the headboard, using her pillow as a cushion.

Setting the empty water glass on his nightstand, Coriolanus propped himself against the headboard and accepted some candy from his friend. "How long until I feel the medicine?"

"About thirty minutes, and you shouldn't feel anything. It will help your muscles relax. I'll continue with your back massage then."

"Thank you for seeing me on short notice."

Julia smiled as she chewed on a piece of licorice. "I will always make time for you."

Coriolanus gently gripped her hand. "I will forever be in your debt."

Keen to Coriolanus's stressors, Julia asked, "What else is nagging you? It cannot just be your daughter."

Twisting the candy between his fingers, Coriolanus sighed. "I'm nervous about my re-election, more nervous than all my prior elections combined. If it wasn't for Senator Orthos, it would be a cakewalk."

"Do you really want to be re-elected?" asked Julia.

Coriolanus looked at her with a quizzical face. "Of course I do, why would you ask that?"

Julia shrugged. "It's a stressful job with everyone gunning for you. I've seen what the stress has done to you over the past few years."

Chewing on another piece of licorice, Coriolanus stared at the foot of the bed. "True, some it is hellish, but so is most the world. We were born on this planet to suffer and die. There is no two ways about it." The president looked into Julia's eyes. "I suspect that there is only one afterlife, and it has to be better than this—a heaven if I may be bold enough to say. This means that this world is hell, and for reasons indescribable by me, I must rule it. I must."

Brushing Snow's salt and pepper hair behind his ear, Julia planted a soft kiss upon his lips. "And what if the unthinkable happens and you're not re-elected?"

Coriolanus reached for her hand. "I'll need a good woman to help me adjust to my new life. Perhaps...a wife."

"You'd marry a woman like me?"

The president kissed her hand. "My dear, you are the smartest, bravest woman in all of Panem. Of course I would."

Julia eyed him. "Then marry me now."

"I have an image to—"

Jerking her hand free, Julia returned to her licorice.

"Uphold," finished Coriolanus with a sigh.

"I know," mumbled Julia. Setting her bag of candy between them, Julia reached into her purse and presented a folded wad of cash. "You know, you don't have to pay me anymore." She passed the money to Coriolanus. "We've moved past this a long time ago."

Coriolanus inspected money, counting it. "Jeez, is this how much Vera pays you?"

Julia slapped Coriolanus hard on the thigh.

With a hint of discomfort, Snow laughed aloud as he rubbed his thigh. "Sorry, my dear."

"You should be."

He offered the Julia the money. "Consider this as an allowance; besides, you know that I'd give you anything you want."

"How about a ring?" Julia eyed him, not accepting the money. "If you're not careful, that could turn into alimony."

With puppy dog eyes, Coriolanus lowered the money as he began to pout flirtatiously.

In silence, Julia reached into the bag of candy and passed Coriolanus a piece of licorice. "Why do we even have money?"

The president glanced at the folded bills in his hand. "What do you mean?"

"Why do we continue to have cash? Couldn't everything be done by credit card? You're the monies expert, explain this to me."

Coriolanus held up the cash. "Well, there is one group of people that is dependent on cash and couldn't function without it?"

"Companions?"

The president smiled. "No. The government. Governments cannot function on a digital currency, never could. Sure, cash has many flaws: it's losable, burnable, easily stolen, and sometimes terribly inconvenient in large quantities. Nevertheless, these flaws also help the government remain healthy and functioning. A healthy government needs cash so that all the shadowy transgressions keep flowing smoothly out of sight."

"You mean bribes and kickbacks?" Julia popped a piece of candy into her mouth.

"Mostly. Lobbyists are required by law to make above the table contributions, but the gifts made under the table is what matters. It's important that the public never knows the truth, the exact numbers. Humans are analog beings; digital money goes against human nature with its rigid structure. If I could push a button and print out an exact account of all the money in Panem, the truth would cause pandemonium."

Julia's chewing slowed. "A cash economy seems quite dependent on the citizens' blind faith."

"It's completely dependent on blind faith. Good economies are naturally leaky, which is not compatible to digital currency. What makes me a good monies expert is that I know how to account for the losses and gains. When the budget makes it to congress for review, it always looks appropriate. Simply, cash fills the leaky holes in the ship, keeping Panem afloat."

Biting her lip, Julia asked, "Does a lot of money go missing?"

"Yes," replied Snow. "But not nearly as much as during times of war. Did you know that during one of ancient America's many wars, the government used to deliver pallets of cash to their enemies in an attempt to broker peace? Pallets of cash. Billions of dollars."

"Did it work?"

Snow chuckled. "Not at all. It only bought them a little time."

Julia passed Coriolanus another piece of licorice. "So, how is Panem's current state? Is the country actually doing well?"

Snow chewed on the licorice. "Panem is doing very well at the moment, but the future has me a little worried."

"In what way?"

"The districts, they are becoming too populated. They keep...breeding despite their economic conditions. The Capitol, for example, has found a balance in the population; our numbers quit climbing decades ago."

"Maybe the government needs to provide birth control to the districts."

"We do," said Snow, pressing his lips together. "The problem goes beyond simple family planning; it's a complex sociological problem: it's economic, political, educational, and even religious. Our two worlds are different. They don't fully understand us, and we don't fully understand them."

Julia bit into a piece of candy, inspecting the chewed end. "Is it dangerous, their population growing."

Snow nodded. "If the population keeps increasing, it puts additional strains on Panem's economics. It will also put additional strain on the Peacekeepers."

"I'm sure you'll find a balance," said Julia. "They're dependent on the Capitol, and we're dependent on them."

"Perhaps," commented Snow. "Some have suggested that we secretly inject sterilization drugs into the yearly mandated vaccines. I've strictly forbade this. We would be trampling into God's territory if we crossed this line. For now, we will keep increasing the numbers of Peacekeepers as we tighten the economic constraints of the districts in our search for balance. This country cannot return to war."

"Don't take this the wrong way," said Julia as she gripped the president's hand, "but I'm going to vote against you in the next election. I want to see you relaxed and happy."

Coriolanus simply smiled at her words.

Julia shifted to her knees as she pointed to the center of the bed. "Lay on your stomach, I'll work on your knotted muscles."

Coriolanus cheerfully positioned himself face down. "I really am happy, and normally, I can handle the stress."

Gently, Julia began rubbing out a knotted muscle below his shoulder. "You've change since becoming president."

"A lot of people depend on me. The stressors are greater." Coriolanus groaned with pleasure as his back began to loosen. He turned his head to the side and said, "I am serious though. If I lose the next election, I'll marry you."

"Make an honest woman of me," Julia snickered.

"More like you making an honest man of me." Coriolanus reached for a piece of licorice.

"Thank you for the proposal, but I know that we'll never be married."

"Why do you say that?" asked Coriolanus.

"Because you're already married."

Coriolanus twisted to look over his shoulder, his brow furled.

Julia smiled warmly at him. "You're married to Panem. You love Panem with all your heart."

Lowering his head to his pillow, the president reflected on Julia's words.

"That's fine with me," she continued. "I'm used to being the other woman. Hell, I've made a career of it." Julia pinched Coriolanus's fleshy side.

Nimbly twisting his body beneath Julia, Coriolanus sat up and wrapped his arms around her. After a long, warm stare, he kissed her longingly. When their lips parted, he said, "I love you."

Julia gently pressed her forehead against his. "I love you too."

"Why did it take us years to say it?"

Caressing his face, Julia stared into his eyes. "It's just our nature, I guess."

Coriolanus gripped her hand. "I recently met with my lawyers to update my will and testament; I've put you in it, along with Vera, Mary, and my daughter."

"Vera and Mary? Is there something you never told me?"

Kissing Julia's hand, Coriolanus smiled. "Nothing like that. Vera is my guardian angel; she protects me with her wisdom. Mary governs my morality; she is the quasi mother of my daughter."

"And me?" asked Julia in a cautious tone.

"You are my demon slayer, my ultimate protector, my true love. You give me life. So whether we officially get married or not, you are already the first lady of Panem. The fairest of them all."

Held in each other's embrace, the pair took great pleasure in their mutual feelings. In the blissful silence, they held each other, listening to the other breathe.

Eventually, Julia broke the embrace and gestured the president to return to his prone position. Returning to his knotted muscles, she focused on a knot and said, "Against my better judgment, I may have found a solution to your Senator Orthos problem."

"How so?" Coriolanus popped a piece of licorice into his mouth.

"I've been researching his electronic medical records, the ones you forwarded to me last week. I may have found the perfect poison for him."

"Really? It will have to be undetectable since he's a presidential hopeful."

"Oh, it is. We just need two weeks to have it build up in his system, four weeks preferably." Julia moved to the next knot in the president's back.

"Is it a complicated poison?" asked the president.

"Not at all, we've been eating it all night."

Snow rose up onto his elbows to peer over his shoulder. When he saw his companion's mischievous smile, he inquisitively held up a piece of black licorice and watched her nod. Focusing on the candy, he licked his lips and smiled at its presumed genius.