"We are on in five!" A production assistant yelled as Fitz sat down. After decades of being interviewed, tapped and photographed, he never got used to this sense of public notoriety. His interview today was a much staged and very calculated one. It was with a major network, not unlike the interviews he had done in the past.
When he was President, his interviews were typically in the White House, from the Blue Room or the Oval Office. His Communication team always wanted him to emphasis the "power and majesty of the office." Or at least that was what Olivia used to say when she worked in the White House (the strategy still held after she left). Even as a presidential candidate, his interviews were always incredibly formal, emphasizing his good looking and "perfect", young family. He would be in a suit, Mellie in a prissy outfit and they would do the old song and dance. Fake, fake, smile, fake and a little more smile. Olivia had taught them well.
However, this interview would be slightly different. He had gone with the venerable old school reporter and the major broadcasting network, all the things that an ex-President does. His people had negotiated extensively, with Olivia's help on the terms of the interview but he knew they would be asked in some capacity. It was a four hour network all access pass into his life, it had to come up.
So here he was, casually dressed in a fleece jacket, jeans and snow boots as the hot production lights shown on him. The senior reporter, getting the memo and trading her haute couture clothing for casual clothing more apropos to the rustic scenery of Vermont.
"So Mr. President, are you ready?" She asked him, her face breaking into a warm smile.
He sighed deeply. "About as ready as I'm going to be."
"Three, two….and action!"
The network logo flashed across the screen. The voice over intoned, letting the audience knows this was serious business.
The images of Fitzgerald Grant, vigorous, handsome and Presidential flashes across the screen in rapid succession. Everything from him playing football with his father as a lanky teenager to his wedding to Mellie Grant, to his swearing into office.
"He has been in the spotlight since he was a child. The scion of one of the nation's most powerful family's, he ascended to the heights of power at a light speed rate."
(Images of him signing bills, giving speeches, presidential campaigning)
His Presidency, a successful one, was marred in rumor….
(Overtone of news reports about Amanda Tanner, accusations, scandal).
His post-Presidency, a beacon for philanthropy and charity. (Pictures of him with African orphans, helping build for Habitat for humanity).
He is one of the world's most captivating individuals, a constant force in political life. Yet, for the first time tonight, we explore the man behind the power. A one on one no holds bar interview on his life, his work and the scandal surrounding his personal life.
Images of Fitzgerald Grant walking through the snow with the reporter, hiking and sitting by the fire place with Olivia Pope, who is pretty, dressed in a cozy off the shoulder sweater, body hugging jeans and riding boots flash across the screen.
Network logo flashes….then commercial break.
The first part of the interview, strategically taking place in his library, a warm fire crackling in the background. The topics, his childhood, growing up with pressure to excel.
You write in your autobiography Mr. President and I quote "My father was a bit like a rain cloud. Dark, hovering and rather inconvenient yet he always delivered the salvation of nurture and care." Mr. President, there has been a lot made about your relationship with your father, books written, television movies produced-
The handsome ex-President laughs warmly, characteristically rubbing his fingers along his lips as his grey eyes flashed playfully.
You find this funny? Why?
The reporter's tone is warm, friendly.
I've never shied away from addressing my issues with my father. I loved him, I respected him but he was an ambitious man. He wanted the best for me. Did we have our disagreements, absolutely, what father and son do not? This notion that we had this Philip II of Macedon-Alexander the Great relationship of dysfunction is ridiculous.
Was he hard on you?
Of course, he wanted me to be the best and make my family proud.
The reporter nods knowingly. Did the best mean becoming President?
Fitzgerald Grant understood his appeal. He knew when to manipulate his body, face into charming the American people out of their pants.
He coyly answers, winking. One could argue.
The second part of the interview takes them outdoors. He loves the outdoors, talks about writing sessions at Camp David that gave him clarity. Images of him riding his horses, swimming flash across the screen. He talks longingly about childhoods in the Cape Cod.
You are not a young man. The reporter observes.
Wow, you've hurt my feelings Barbara. The reporter laughs, blushing.
And yet, you are constantly seen hiking, snowboarding, horseback riding and doing rather dangerous things. Do you fear that you will injure yourself?
Not really. I like to take risk. I find that if you live your life scared of a few bruises and scratches, you are not living for much.
The interview then moves to the ex-President chopping wood as the older reporter watches.
Wow, you are quite the outdoorsman. I guess you are not afraid of a little risk.
No, no I am not. I was not raised that way. He laughs as he wipes his brow.
The interview moves back inside, the ex-President less forthcoming, less coy about his marriage to Mellie Grant.
Earl Woodson, the noted Presidential biographer wrote of your marriage 'The Grant marriage was a political one at its finest. Two ambitious pols who loved politics more than each other', how much truth is there to that?'
The ex-President sighs, shaking his head. Marriages are difficult, we hurt one another. I'm not interest in having my marriage psychoanalyzed by a liberal partisan with a hidden agenda. We have two beautiful children, a lot of wonderful memories-
Do you get along?
Of course we do.
Do you get along well?
Barbara, now you're trying to get me into trouble. They laugh. Commercial break.
(A segment on the Grant marriage, his ex-wife's run for the Senate, his endorsement).
It was the picture seen round the world, a sunbathing President and his lover luxuriating on a yacht, she topless as he caresses her with sunscreen. It has been called everything from Yacht-gate, but it all started with a private trip to Spain… flashes of the couple shopping, being chased by the paparazzi. Tabloid headlines. David Letterman and Jay Leno doing jokes.
Mr. President, how do you explain what happened a few weeks ago in Spain?
He sighs deeply, profoundly. His mind churning. I do not think I need to really.
You don't?
No. I did nothing illegal, or malicious-
You are a well-known person. An ex-president of immense standing. At some point, did you not stop and think 'Maybe we should not sunbathe half naked with my girlfriend'.
Barbara have you been to Spain at all? He charms his way out of that one. Smooth...
So you do not regret what you did?
No. I was not doing anything usual. When in Rome.
How did your children take this?
They thought it was ridiculous that people were making such a big deal. They are adults. My parents back in the 70s used to sunbathe naked in Prague, France you name it. I don't recall editorials being written about it.
Another commercial break.
The voice intones. (When purchases Fitzgerald Grant's biography, in light of recent events, they will turn to the index, look under the P's and search for one name. Olivia Pope)
Flashes of the woman appear. Beautiful, composed well dressed.
She's the Washington fixer that everyone cannot stop talking about. Gorgeous, mysterious, she has often shied away from interviews. Until now. For the first time, the powerhouse sits down with her very Presidential partner.
Pictures of the two of them walking the street hand in hand and getting off planes. A segment on their work on the Grant campaigns.
Olivia Pope walks into the room, places a kiss on her lover's lips and joins the interview.
Welcome.
Thanks for having me.
You never do these.
No I don't.
So, I guess we start with the obvious. When did you two start seeing each other?
The couple shares a playful look.
Yesterday. The ex-President jokes.
The couple is warm, playful and flirtatious. Exchanging looks. They are engaging, he mocks her horseback riding skills and love for popcorn, and she pokes fun at his love for record players. They are a breath of fresh air from the stiff days of Mellie and Fitzgerald.
I've noticed you are wearing a ring. Yes. It's a rather large one. Is marriage in the future?
Again, they exchange a look. One of their many secret looks. Pope shrugs.
If it happens, we will let you know.