Dan Scott flashed that million dollar smile as his arm relaxed around the petite frame of his wife, Deb. At 42, she was still much the trophy wife, the perfect, smiling blonde for such events.
It was the Reagan Day dinner, an annual gala tribute honoring the nation's fortieth president. Celebrities, the elite and every high profiled politician were there. Anybody who was anybody in the state attended. And Dan would be no exception. A man who had no interest in politics or Ronald Reagan for that matter, was front and center for the attention and the thrill with his beautiful closet Democratic voting bride by his side.
Next to the Scotts were the Powells. Mark Powell, a tall dark haired man, straightened his tie as he accepted the numerous congratulations from his peers. It would be the Congressman's night to shine as he would be the recipient of the coveted North Carolina Republicans Ronald Reagan Humanitarian Award.
In the ladies room, Megan refreshed her lipstick as she smoothed out any would be wrinkles in her red dress. Her mother, applying a fresh coat of mascara, had joined her.
"I love that dress, dear", Laurie smiled. "Red is definitely your color. You and Nathan make quite the stunning couple."
"That we do", she rolled her eyes, using a bit of a sarcastic tone.
"Meg…sweetie, is everything okay? You know, between you and Nathan?"
"We're fine, Mom."
The voice was anything but convincing.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, Mom. I'm positive. Really. Everything is okay. We're just kind of stressed out right now. With the tsunami and the wedding and everything has been really crazy. As soon as we get back from our honeymoon, the pre season will start and the negotiations for Nate's new contract aren't done yet."
"I'm sure everything will be fine", Laurie frowned.
"I hope so", Megan sighed as they exited the restroom.
Walking out to the banquet hall, Megan stopped and took a deep, frustrated breath. Her fiancé was going to town on his third whiskey on the rocks.
"Look at him", she sadly shook her head. "He's always drinking."
"It's not that bad. It's just his second drink of the evening…"
"No, Mom. His third drink here tonight and God only knows how many total for the day considering the lush has been boozing since nine this morning."
"Oh it's okay", Laurie rubbed her daughter's bare shoulders. "Try not to make a scene, honey. Nathan is just unwinding. Like you said yourself, he's under a lot of pressure. A drink or two won't hurt anyone. Besides, he's such a handsome boy. Look at him over there with that drink in his hand. He looks like a young Marlon Brando. Very sexy."
"When I first met him, I thought that drink made him look sexy, Mom. Now I just think it makes him look drunk", Meg muttered as they returned to their table.
The ceremony began as a sulking Megan watched Nathan down drink after drink. She was relieved when her father's name was called as it was one step closer to the evening being over. She and her family along with the Scotts stood and applauded as Rep. Powell stepped up to the podium.
"Members of the North Carolina Republicans, thank you very much. It is an honor to receive this award this evening as well as a real pleasure to serve you all and the great Tarheel state of North Carolina. Looking at our prestigious organization's fine history and to see the distinguished roll call of those who have received this award before me, I see that in return they are encouraged to offer an important statement of philosophy or accomplishment about the importance of being a good humanitarian. It's not for me to offer an opinion on the accomplishment or the importance, but I think I can do a bit of philosophy, so here it is. Was it a good humanitarian? And why was I singled out this year? For my public service? Contributions to charities? Maybe all of the above. I appreciate the recognition but there is a young man here tonight very dear to my heart who deserves this a lot more than me. His bravery and courage in gallantly risking his own life to save another in the midst of the recent and tragic tsunami, represents his fine character and truly defines what he is…a real hero. I am proud to say that he will soon be my son in law, Mr. Nathan Scott."
The audience applauded politely.
"Thank you. Thank you very much", a tipsy Nathan stood and said in his best Elvis impersonation.
Dan, Deb, and Meg hung their heads as the Powells turned crimson.
"Nathan, please…" Deb begged.
"What? It's cool, Mom. Mark is just giving me props. But it's alright. I was just saving my Old Lady…well, she's not my Old Lady anymore because that's gonna be Meg's job real soon but you guys get my drift."
"Nathan…"
"It's funny. How many of us here dream about drowning our wives but the weird thing is, when opportunity presents itself, you chicken out and save her."
Nathan was drunk and making a spectacle out of himself.
"Son, for God's sake", Dan tersely whispered.
"It's cool, Pop. Really. Mark and I are both great humanitarians. We share that title and we share that award. Right, Mark?"
Before Rep. Powell could respond and before Megan could grab him, Nathan was on stage with his future father in law. He grabbed the award, nearly dropping it.
"Damn! Guess these bad boys are heavier than they look. Wait, am I being cliché? I mean, that's what you're supposed to say. Some gay shit…whoops, I mean stuff, you know, joking and…"
Before he could finished his slurred rant of nonsense, he leaned over, heaving and vomiting all over the podium. Humiliated, Dan ran to grab him. On the way down, Nathan tripped and remained where he fell...passed out drunk on the floor of one of the most important and regarded events in the state.
A stunned and conservative group sat absolutely stunned and quiet. Megan and Deb were more sad and upset than mortified while Mark Powell was humiliated. He was fit to be tied and so was Dan. Nathan had single handedly managed to embarrass two of North Carolina's most esteemed families all in the course of mere minutes.
Meg only looked at the tight, red face of her ashamed mother who sat beside her. Maybe they had been right after all. If Nathan Scott was under a tremendous amount of pressure, then the pressure had finally gotten to him. It was official. The superstar had cracked.