"Alfred, admit it, we are lost." Amanda Bellows said sharply to her husband.
Colonel Alfred Bellows, MD, USAF (Ret.) just grunted while piloting the Winnebago Chief. He knew they were lost amongst the peanut patches of Georgia. Miami was 12 hours and over 600 miles or so ago.
The Bellows marriage had blossomed in Miami. Alfred had retired from the Air Force two years ago, and they had purchased the RV. They really enjoyed the lifestyle or riding from park to park following the "snowbirds." Alfred kept his medical license and hospital privileges current, and became a well-respected transient physician specializing in elder care.
That all changed when Dr. Bellows was watching the news earlier that month and saw an advertisement telling people to vote for Anthony Nelson for President. As soon as Amanda saw what was causing Alfred to hyperventilate, she knew there was nothing she could do to stop them.
Being the good Republican he is, Dr. Bellows first tried to contact the committee to re-elect the president. He was politely told that President Ford is running on his own merits and is not interested in any information on his opponents. Alfred understood. With the specter of Watergate still hanging over Gerald Ford's head, the campaign couldn't stand even the idea of dirty politics. But, Bellows couldn't very well allow the slightest possibility Nelson would win. So, Colonel Bellows called an old friend who is very high up in the Navy, who happened to be a former commanding officer of a certain ex-submariner they were about to visit.
Finally, Alfred stopped to get directions, and found the correct road. They were only a few miles off, but having to stop for directions was a small defeat for Alfred, and major vindication for Amanda. He knew he was at the right farm when he was stopped by two men wearing dark suits and Ray Ban aviators in the hot Georgia sun.
"Identification please," the man in black asked Doctor Bellows. Bellows showed his grey military ID and drivers license. Amanda produced her drivers license. While the first agent was checking ID's, the second boarded the RV and looked around.
"Vehicle secure," said the agent exiting the RV.
"Go ahead, Colonel, the Governor is expecting you." Said the first agent.
They drove down the long driveway to the farmhouse. Alfred knocked on the door, expecting a servant to answer. Instead it was a young girl. Amanda smiled at the girl.
"Hi," the young southern belle said, "I'm Amy. C'mon in. Have a seat. My dad will be here soon. Y'all want some iced tea?"
Alfred smiled. He had a taste for sweet tea. "Thank you, Amy, sweet tea sounds very nice."
Amanda gave Alfred a "what are we doing here?" look.
Alfred expected Amy to come back with the tea. But it wasn't Amy holding the tray with three glasses of refreshing southern sweet tea. Both Alfred and Amanda stood.
"Welcome to Plains, I'm Jimmy Carter. Sit down," their host said amicably.
"Thank you for seeing us, Governor," Dr. Bellows said.
"Admiral Massey said you had important information for me, Colonel," Carter got straight to the point.
"Its about Anthony Nelson," Doctor Bellows began.
"Hold off, Doctor," Carter began, "you were once Nelson's psychiatrist. I won't stand for any personal attacks against any opponent. I also imagine that's why the Republicans wouldn't have anything to do with you."
Like so many, Dr. Bellows was lured in by Carter's good 'ol boy demeanor and flashy smile. But the governor's statement reminded Alfred Bellows he was dealing with a career politician who was an academy grad that served in one of the Navy's most exclusive programs. This was an intelligent man, not to be trifled with.
Dr. Bellows chose his words carefully, "I just want to make sure this election is on an even playing field. Anthony Nelson maybe receiving some powerful assistance that you might not be aware of." Amanda just rolled her eyes.
Carter replied, "Doctor, Anthony Nelson isn't even really on the map as far as this election is concerned. He hasn't made any speeches, and as far as I know, he hasn't chosen a running mate. I'm not even sure he's really running. We know he has some money behind the campaign for the commercials, but it's a little late for Colonel Nelson to even be considered as a third party candidate."
Carter was enough of a gentleman to leave out the part that his people did check out Colonel Bellows. Bellows retired from Air Force and the space program after NASA's budget was cut in 1974. The doctor's record for the most part was excellent, but there were some rumors floating around NASA that he and Colonel Nelson had a spotty past in the 1960's. Some even speculated Doctor Bellows had some sort of breakdown. The only reason the Governor was talking to Bellows was that Carter served under and learned a lot from Jack Massey, and Massey vouched for Bellows. Carter gave Doctor Bellows his 30 minutes, and listened to a wild tale of fantastic things appearing and disappearing. Carter thanked Dr. Bellows and sent him on his way. He knew if he was to become president, he would be listening to a lot more crackpots.