Title: One Man with Courage
Author: Brenna (tkeefer6@home.com)
Website: http://blake.prohosting.com/wwffa/
Spoilers: "The Stackhouse Filibuster"
Summary: "One man with courage is a majority." - Thomas
Jefferson.
Disclaimer: The West Wing and its characters are the property of Aaron Sorkin,
Warner Brothers, and NBC. No Copyright Infringement is intended.
Author's Notes: I found this great quote from MLK when looking for Word a
Month material for the challenge on my site.
Archive: Ask first please.
Feedback: Love it.
'One man with courage is a majority.'
I have made that my mantra today. In this town I'm pretty much a non-entity as Senators go. Oh I still have some power, but not a great deal. You could see the looks of shock on everyone's faces when I started this an hour ago. They couldn't believe I had it in me. Frankly, I can't believe I have it in me either. Everyone knows I'm just a crusty old curmudgeon. That's the way I am, and if you don't like it that's just too damn bad. You're going to listen to me this time. You're all going to listen to me. If I have to stand up here until I drop dead, you'll listen to me because this is too important for me to fail.
'One man with courage is a majority.'
My sister brought me a cookbook to read from about three hours ago. It belonged to my wife, Beth. I wish Beth could know what I'm doing here today. I could see from the expression in my sister's eyes how proud she was of me. That look alone is enough to sustain my courage for another few hours as I read these God-awful recipes. Who would actually cook this stuff? And after you cooked it, who the hell would you get to eat it? All this must be making me more cranky than usual. I wish it had been Beth's eyes that gave me this courage. Are you listening, honey? I need your courage now.
'One man with courage is a majority.'
I'm so tired now. I finished those stupid recipes hours ago. I'm just rambling now. Wait, here comes David, my aide. Good. He's bringing me a book. There was a note inside and a picture of my grandson. It's from my daughter. As I read the note I recite the pledge of allegiance...anything to keep talking. I won't cry. I won't let them see me cry even though the words my daughter has written make me want to bawl like a baby. I open David Copperfield and begin to read.
'One man with courage is a majority.'
I've finished my recitation of David Copperfield, and now I move on to Hoyle's Rules. I bet you didn't know I'm a fairly decent poker player? I'm not bluffing this time though. Why the hell didn't Josh Lyman listen to me? Are you listening now, Lyman? What about you, Mr. President? Are you listening now? The words are beginning to blur on the page, and I'm feeling dizzy. How much longer can I keep this up? Not much longer. I know that. I'm 78 years old for God's sake! They're going to have to carry me out of here though, cause I'm not stopping.
'One man with courage is a majority.'
Well I'll be damned. I think I've won. How did this happen? I....I just don't know what to think....what to do. God I'm so tired.
"I yield the floor..."
I guess Jefferson was right. 'One man with courage is a majority.' Tonight, I was that man. Tonight, I was the majority.
"Senator Stackhouse my question is in twenty-two parts...."
