Chapter 14

Again, I don't own any of these characters

The next morning, Cody and Bailey bucked another spring break tradition and were up early. After showering, dressing and grabbing a quick breakfast, they were off. They boarded the Metro again and made their way towards the National Mall and the monuments. The first stop was the one away from the others – the Jefferson Memorial. Once there, they explored it hand in hand and took their time in reading all the inscriptions. They also took plenty of digital pictures of the memorial. On a lark, they decided they would take a picture of them kissing in front of the statue of Jefferson. Finally, they decided it was time to move on.

The next stop was the Holocaust Memorial Museum. What they saw there was very disturbing. The fact the man could do what the pictures depicted to other people sent shivers down both their spines. It wasn't surprising to either of them to see several people crying and turning away in horror from several exhibits. As both walked out of the museum, both knew what they had seen would stay with them both for a long time.

Moving on, they made their way to the Washington Monument. Both got several pictures of it from several angles.

"Come on, Cody...lets go to the top of it and see the view. Its the tallest structure in Washington..."

"Are you sure, Bails? It has 897 stairs to the top. Are you sure your ankle is up for that?"

Bailey smiled. "Only one way to find out...Besides, if it makes you feel better, we'll take the elevator..."

Cody nodded. "Okay, lets do this..."

They did end up taking the stairs up because the line for the elevator was ridiculously long. Both prided themselves for being in good shape, but both were winded by the time they reached the top. However, the view of Washington made them forget that. They took several pictures of the view, including another one of them kissing from the top. On the way down, they did decide to take the elevator. The walk up was enough of a workout for one day.

The next stop was the World War II Memorial. The walked around and just took everything in. They took even more pictures. However, one thing they saw they lingered on. They bought a single rose and placed it in front of the memorial for the soldiers from the state of Washington in honor of Great Uncle Tommy. Another picture was taken that they planned on sending to Ellie and Great Uncle Mitch.

Next, they visited the FDR Memorial. They walked around and read the various inscriptions and took pictures of the various statues. Both agreed it was a fitting tribute to who they both considered one of the best presidents in the country's history.

After that was the Korean War Veterans Memorial and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. They both had family members who had been lost in both wars, and they took their time trying to find their names. Once they did find them, they took more pictures to send back to their families.

The final stop on the National Mall was the Lincoln Memorial. Both took their time exploring it and reading the inscriptions of the Gettysburg Address and Lincoln's second inaugural address. They took pictures of everything, including another picture of them kissing in front of Lincoln's statue. They even checked to see if some of the urban legends were true. Both had to admit that Lincoln's hands did appear to be formed in the shape of a sign language "A" and "L". They also checked to see if there was the profile of Robert E. Lee in Lincoln's hair. Before they left, they took pictures of where Martin Luther King, Jr. gave his "I Have a Dream" Speech and several of the view of the Reflecting Pool.

By the time they left, it was getting late in the afternoon, and they decided to make one last stop before heading back to the hotel. They wanted to see the Iwo Jima Memorial. By the time they took even more pictures and saw of it what they wanted to see, they were off.

On the Metro ride back to the hotel, both were slouched in their seats worn out.

"Cody, what would I have to do to get a foot rub when we get back to the hotel?"

Cody turned to her. "I'll give you one if you give me one..."

"Deal..."

"The tub in our room is a jacuzzi tub too...Maybe that would feel good too?"

"Heavenly..."

"Then we'll head back to room, relax and recuperate, and then figure out what to do for dinner then..."

And that's just what they did. Foot rubs and a therapeutic dip followed once they got back in the room. After a while, they decided on ordering room service because the next day would be a long day of walking too. After dinner, they both soon fell asleep.

The next morning found them up early again and at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue at 8:00 AM. As they waited outside the gate for their tour, Bailey noticed something.

"Cody?"

"Yeah, Bails?"

"Today's Monday, right?"

"Yeah, why?"

Bailey pointed. "Then why does that sign say that White House tours are only given Tuesday through Saturday?"

Cody read the sign, but he had no answer to her question. He pulled out their confirmation letter and read it again.

"It says right here our tour is on Monday morning at 8:30..."

Bailey sighed. "Do you think we were scammed?"

Cody paused. "I don't know...but if we were, I'm so sorry, Bailey..."

"Its okay, Cody..."

Before they could say anything else, a secret service member approached them. Well, they thought it was a secret service member. He had the usual black suit, white shirt, black tie, dark sunglasses and ear piece.

"Bailey Pickett and Cody Martin?"

They turned. "Yeah, that's us..."

He kept his stoic demeanor. "Do you have identification?"

"Yes, of course..." Both pulled out their driver's licenses and Yale student ID cards..."

"Very well, come with me..."

Bailey and Cody were both getting a little frightened now. "Are we in trouble?"

"Just follow me..."

Cody and Bailey did what they were told and just followed the secret service agent. He lead them into an entrance into the West Wing and opened a door and told them to wait inside. Silently, Cody and Bailey complied. Both, still being a little confused about everything, finally figured out where they were.

"Cody..."

"I know..."

"We're in the Oval Office!"

"I noticed..."

"What are we doing in the Oval Office?"

"Bails, your guess is as good as mine. Something really weird is going on here..."

"I know...Do you have connections to the Massachusetts senators I didn't know about?"

"If I do, I didn't know about them either...What about you and the Kansas senators?"

"Not that I'm aware of either..."

"Bails, to quote Hamlet, something is rotten in the state of Denmark..."

Before Bailey can respond, they are interrupted.

"Welcome to the White House!"

Both turn and see a woman in her late forties.

"My name is Pam, and I will be your personal tour guide today..."

Bailey was confused. "Personal tour guide?"

Pam smiles. "Of course. You two must know someone pretty high up to get your own private tour..."

Bailey and Cody just look at each other.

"If you follow me, we'll get started. I do have to say the no photography is allowed though. And unfortunately, the first family is out of the country today, so you won't get to meet them. But with them away, you'll get to see everything including the private quarters which is usually off limits."

Again, Cody and Bailey just looked at each wondering what exactly was going on. But they didn't have time to stand and wonder as Pam was off. They quickly followed behind her as she made her way through the West Wing. She took them through the President's study, the Roosevelt Room, the offices of the Chief of Staff and Vice President, the Cabinet Room and the Press Briefing Room.

Moving on, they were taken to the main part of the building and saw the Map Room, the China Room, the Diplomatic Reception Room, the Vermeil Room and the Library. Along with that, they were shown the various portraits of the Presidents hanging in the halls. Next, they were lead upstairs to the State Floor where they were shown the State Dining Room, the Red Room, the Blue Room, the Green Room and the East Room as well as the South Portico.

Finally, they were taken up to the private residence floor where they saw the President's Bedroom, the President's Dining Room, the Treaty Room, the Queen's Bedroom and the Lincoln Bedroom. And as a shock to the both of them, they were allowed to walk out on the Truman Balcony. And while they were there, they had another surprise – the first dog, Bo ran out to meet and lick them.

The last thing they were shown was the East Wing where normal guests and visitors enter. And this is where they were escorted out of the building. They had just spent three hours on a private tour of the White House.

Bailey was still in shock. "Cody...How did that just happen?"

Cody paused. "I have no idea...unless...Do you think the Skulls had anything to do with it?"

Bailey just looked at Cody not sure what to think.

To be Continued...