Twenty-five: When Bitches Quit (life's short)
The dialogue with Diane Nash clarifies her last doubts about her professional future. A thought that especially in the last few days has almost obsessed her, now she understands why. Incredible how sometimes, simply by changing perspective, a problem that seems insoluble is turned into something incredibly easy to deal with.
She has served the country, with commitment and conviction, for more than twenty years, first alongside her husband and then on her own, serving it in perhaps its deepest crisis since the Vietnam War. She feels that she has led the President in full awareness of his role. She feels she has chosen with him the best collaborators they could hope to find.
She turns to Clark with an affectionate and somewhat wistful look, aware that this is the last time the handsome man will be in her service. "Are you all right, Madam Secretary?", he asks, curious about that attention. She snorts a smile, grateful for his thoughtfulness. "I'm fine, Clark, thank you"
—
"Elaine, I thought I ordered you to enjoy the weekend!", the man jokes, still limping, as he makes his way to his own chair. "Mr. President, it seemed to me that our professional relationship had passed the stage of orders!", the Barrish stands up to him, eliciting a hearty laugh.
Immediately, Number One's gaze falls on the woman's hands and the cream-colored envelope clutched in them. An instinctive grimace paints itself on his face as he brings his back up as if to turn away from it. "Elaine…", he exclaims in a grave tone as he shakes his head.
Barrish steps forward and sits down without waiting for the boss' invitation. "Mr. President, we have assembled a formidable team, this administration still needs you, but it doesn't necessarily need me yet", she insists in an assertive tone. "Elaine… please, I thought we had truly come to an understanding by now! You taught me how to sit in this chair!", he pleads with her with persuasion.
"It is precisely because we have reached a meeting point that I am here now, Sir...", the Secretary replies, "I need to retire to private life, for a personal matter, which cannot be postponed, set aside, and which I do not feel like co-existing with my career...", she announces, "I am honored to have supported you during this difficult time, but I am now deeply convinced that my presence is no longer necessary", she concludes.
" Are you okay, Elaine?", Garcetti asks worriedly. The woman's gaze softens, moved by his concern. "I'm fine, Paul", she reassures him, smiling.
"Confidentially, I'll tell you specifically that I'm moved by a purely selfish and sentimental reason. I've become deeply bonded to someone lately. I am not ready to share my relationship by holding this or any other government role, which I would morally feel obligated to do if I kept working. The reason I would feel obligated to do so is because this someone is a woman. The reason I don't feel ready to share this is because I don't reflect myself in a label that I would be forced to attach to myself, to make this relationship public. I am moved by feelings and feelings have always been a private thing, for me, you know that Paul", she pauses to take a deep breath, before continuing.
"Moreover, to make this relationship public, as a member of the government and as a vice presidential candidate, would put you, Mr. President, at risk of not being re-elected, and that is something neither you nor I want, for our own Country", she concludes, suddenly relaxing. Garcetti watches her, nodding thoughtfully, gradually absorbing the meaning of her monologue. Sighing defeated, taking the letter the woman hands her, she opens it giving it a quick glance.
"Your reasoning makes no bones about it, Elaine, but let me tell you that I would have no fear of keeping you by my side, I would be proud, but I understand and respect your need for privacy", he says signing the three copies of the resignation letter. He hands one to her, holding it briefly for her attention. "Just stay for a couple of hours, you've given me great advice, these past three years Elaine, let me discuss with you my thoughts on the positions to be filled"