Chapter 7

No Chance in Hell

"So, the school board is cutting the funding for your teacher's supplies?" Kelly asked.

"Yeah... I mean it's already bad, They buy everything from the chalk to the paper that they use to give us tests with."

"So the only thing that is left really is texts and things like that." Kelly said Horace nodded. "How do you know all this stuff Horace?"

"Teachers tell me a lot of things," he answered with a shrug, "As if..."

"As if you told your mom, maybe something will get done." Kelly finished for him. "You can't make campaign promises based on those things."

"Well it is what I know the school needs." Horace answered.

"None of that, reflects the wants of your voters. They don't really care that your teachers have to pay for things out of pocket." Kelly answered

"You said that I was going to win anyway on status alone. Shouldn't I get them to start caring what's going on with the teachers?" Horace asked.

"No... Not till after you are in office." Kelly answered. "Right now all they want to know how are you going to make it better for them. "The jocks want to know that you can help the teachers lighten up on them. You know like with the homework and stuff. The nerds want to know if you can get the jerks off their back. The loaners want to know if you will hang out with them since you're popular. And the popular kids want to know if you are going to keep the status quo, after promising all the nerds and other losers equality."

"Oh my god." Horace said shaking his head.

"That is exactly what president Bridges did by bringing your mom in to be his Vice president." Kelly said, "They both know how to please their different demographic, but President Bridges already had the conservatives in his pocket."

"So promise the world, and then..." He started.

"Then you choose which promises to spend most of your term focusing on." Kelly stated. Horace looked at her amazed at the world his mother lived every day. Kelly was her spin-doctor and knew just how to make her look, and she did a fantastic job.

Horace's eyes trapped Kelly. She knew he really liked her, and she was starting to feel uncomfortable. She finally looked away and drunk the last of her water. "I guess, I can talk about the school events that are planned." Horace said trying to cover the awkward silence.

"Yeah... That's a good idea." Kelly said. "So we have an introduction, you introduce the real you, Not the son of the President, but Horace Calloway. This shows them that you stand on your own, even though everyone knows you have the election in the bag."

"Okay," Horace said writing on a fresh piece of paper.

"Then you refer to your opponents with respect." Kelly said, "It gives you a confidence and humility at the same time. Draw attentions to some good points they may have made that you agree with, if they go before you. Especially if the point is a crowd-pleaser."

"Even if I don't agree with it?" Horace asked.

"No. Only if you agree... don't be a hypocrite." Kelly answered.

"Right," He said scribbling some more.

"Then make your points, the most fun ones first." Kelly said, "Then you can add stuff like cleaning up the school, and community service kind of stuff afterwards."

"Oh, yea there is lots of stuff that I do anyway that I think kids should do." Horace agreed scribbling furiously now.

"Then you conclude reminding the voters to listen to the other candidates. It makes you look like you care about everyone's ideas." Kelly said. "That's it."

"Great! Thanks Kelly." Horace said standing up with Kelly, just as Becca stepped out of her room.

"You're welcome. Now I have got to get to bed if I'll be any good to your mom tomorrow." She said reaching out to give Horace a hug. Horace sank into the hug, pulling her in a little too close. Kelly stiffened slightly when she felt Horace kiss her neck. "Horace." She said pushing him away. "What do you think you're doing?"

"I'm sorry." Horace stammered. "I don't know what came over me."

"You know what?" Kelly said, "This never happened... Good luck tomorrow." She walked off in a hurry out of residence.

Becca came out to the family room after she left. "What were you thinking? Do you realize that if she feels harassed, mom could loose yet another cabinet member?"

"Becca leave me alone." Horace said picking up his papers, "I don't need you to tell me I've just made a huge mistake okay."

Becca watched him leave. "Moron." She murmured softly then headed to her own room.