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Over the next week Eve became more used to her role as White House secretary. She was allowed to leave, but was safer here. With the coup many sold intel to both sides for food, and took their chances of getting caught and killed. There was little law and order. Violence, theft, even rape were considered normal. Only murder was prosecuted. Those accussed were brought before special courts, it was their word against their accusser. The trials lasted only an hour or so, no lawyers. Those convicted were given a few minutes to say why they shouldn't be executed. The judge sometimes agreed, and drafted them into the army to defend the capitol. But most often, they were simply executed. At times Eve was also asked to watch Rebecca Mason, or little Pete. Pete was the collectivist child that Sharon Mason adopted after he was orphaned by the school bombing. Eve became friends with Zoey Allen and Jed Mason. They all relied on Eve's discretion, she learned much working here. Although Gardner occassionally came here for peace talks, the tension between him and Mason was obvious. If the coup wasn't stopped soon, it would become impossible for many of those chosen by lottery to make it into the Arks. This would be difficult enough with the final selection. Each selection was more chaotic than the last one. Each rejection meant people were less likely to survive. This last rejection, the un-chosen would have little reason to cooperate. More desperate refugees were expected to try and rush the Arks. It seemed there was nothing that could keep this from getting ugly.
There were many rumors about George Mason's sexual habits. Eve remembered one from the war. The story said how the president was visiting a loyalist army hospital. A nurse begged him for clean blankets to prevent infection. She offerred to do anything for clean blankets. Mason assurred her he would get the clean blankets, she didn't need to sleep with him. But if she still wanted to sleep with him, he wouldn't refuse. Now, there was a brothel in Washington D.C. Made up mostly runaway slaves. The pimp, a young woman named Marissa, protected her girls and boys by any means neccessary. Marissa kept kids out of this work, noone under the age of thirteen worked, but they were protected. The story was that Marissa took over from another, more ruthless pimp. When her rival pulled a gun during the meeting, she found it was empty. This woman had been brutal, no loyalty. Marissa promised to protect her people, if they helped her murder this pimp. But Marissa could be brutal as well. When a thirteen year old girl asked for work, Marissa sold her virginity to the highest bidder. When this girl stole from her, Marissa shot her in the head in front of everyoe. She bribed Gardenr and others with sexual favors. Mason was rumored to visit this brothel regularly. Was he helping these people, going in for sex, both? Eve didn't know. These days, most people weren't sure about the president's motives.