A/N: Thank you to everyone who hung in there and posted reviews on the last chapter. I really appreciate it! This update is very short and is a transitional chapter as we check in on Cyrus. No Olitz. We'll find out what they've been up to in the next update.
Chapter 27: Political Theater
HA! HA! HA! HA! Cyrus Beene's big booming laugh filled the Capital Grille restaurant. He was meeting with Skip Burroughs, the chairman of the Republican National Committee, and the two men were reminiscing about old times fighting in the political trenches.
"So, Cy, all kidding aside, how are you doing these days? Now that Grant is history, will you be moving over to work for Sally Langston?" Burroughs asked, reaching across the table to grab the bread basket.
"Nope," Cyrus said cheerfully, as he jabbed a fork into his plate of shrimp scampi. "Let's just say that Langston and I are incompatible. She represents a brand of Conservatism that I can never get behind."
"Where does that leave you, Cy? You're a master at national politics. Are you really planning to ride off into the sunset after Grant leaves office? Surely you've got, at least, another four-year presidential term in you," Burroughs replied.
"Well, you got that part right," Cyrus said, smiling. "I'm not ready to retire, nor am I looking to retire."
"So, what exactly are you saying?"
"I'm saying it ain't over 'till it's over, and from where I sit, it ain't over."
Skip Burroughs looked at Cyrus with a puzzled look. "OK, you lost me. Plain English, please."
"Fitzgerald Thomas Grant is President of the United States. I fought long and hard to get him to this position. He is capable of being a two-term president."
"But Cy the man has announced he's not going to seek re-election. The Republican Party needs to appoint a new leader, and Sally Langston is the most obvious and appropriate candidate."
"That's where you're wrong, Skip. Sally Langston is not the most appropriate politician to lead the GOP. You and I both know that Langston is a far right wing fruitcake. She'll take this country back to the 1950s, if she gets into power."
"Yeah, I know, I'm worried about that too," Burroughs replied. "Langston can not win Ohio and Florida, and Pennsylvania is a wild card. Her brand of political religious conservatism plays well in the South and Southwest, but will be a hard sell in other parts of the country."
"And not only that," Cy interrupted, "it looks like the Democrats are either going to nominate that young black senator from Illinois or the former First Lady Helena McClintock. Regardless of who the Democrats finally go with, they'll have the media on their side and plenty of excitement in their campaign. Think about it, either the first black or a former first lady as a major party's presidential nominee. It will be huge."
"OK, Cy, so, I'll ask you again. What exactly is it that you're saying here?" Burroughs probed.
"I'm saying that if the Republican Party wants to win in November, they've got to back a winning horse. A horse that has a track record of winning. A horse that has already won," Cyrus said with a smug grin.
Burroughs put down his knife and fork and wiped his mouth. Was he hearing what he thought he was hearing?
"Cy, stop toying with me. Are you saying there's a chance that Grant might change his mind and decide to seek reelection?
"Well, Skip, this is where you come in," Cyrus replied with a smile.
A/N: Camera pans wide. Screen fades to black and we're left to wonder, what on earth is Cyrus planning? What did he end up saying to Skip? Oooooo, the tension is killing even me! LOL!
