Elected

Scott is asked to run for elective office. Will this be the bait to lure him away from Lancer?

Note: To the best of my knowledge and belief, this story is fair use of copyrighted material, as there is no commercial use and no loss of potential market or value of the original material will occur. New character names came from my imagination, no resemblance is made or intended with any actual person or other fictional character.

Sacramento naturally attracted powerful interests. As the capital of California, it was to be expected. Deals were made, influence peddled, fortunes waxing and waning as the State's laws were debated, and sometimes, enacted.

But San Francisco! Ah, San Francisco, on the ocean, bustling with a mix of cultures and varied bank accounts, was even more significant. Old and new money, elegant and garish, bright with wild waves of activity, strode alongside darker alleys and undercurrents. Here was where deals and plans for California were germinated, rooted, and spread.

Jonathan Jordan met with his frequent business partner Eli Strong. They were longtime California residents who built their fortunes concurrently with that of their friend Murdoch Lancer. All three men spent time in Sacramento and San Franciso to keep their interests and fortunes secure, or even better, to expand them even more.

Strong and Jordan made themselves comfortable in the San Francisco hotel's private lounge. They were not alone. Already present were the Eastern men. Exclusive, old and newer money, looking to exploit these new opportunities in the West. They had influence too, with the Congressmen in Washington, powerful cords and chains linking them together, where the new Californians clung to threads. Efforts of men like Jordan and Strong to join them had been rebuffed.

"Is that young Scott Lancer? Take a chair and join us."

Sure enough, there was Murdoch's boy, the one from Boston, being beckoned by the Eastern moguls like he was one of them.

Scott was freshly bathed and barbered, well dressed too. He knew all of the men, and was somewhat surprised to see them. Their last meetings had been with Grandfather in Boston as well as New York City. Harlan Garrett was a formidable presence and had the respect of other Eastern titans.

Scott accepted a cigar and prepared to play the game. Grandfather was a master at it, wielding strikes and gestures with the cigar like a modern musketeer with a sword. Scott had learned and observed well. He parried and returned his own ripostes, and thoroughly enjoyed himself. They spoke not only of current events, but literature and sciences, history and theatre. Scott found he had not merely hungered for this sort of conversation. He had been starved for it.

Across the room, Jordan and Strong exchanged knowing glances.

LLLLLLLLLLLLLL

"What can I do for you two?" asked Murdoch amiably.

"Well, Murdoch," began Jordan, "as you know, we are at a disadvantage working the politicians in Washington. We're a small State in influence compared to all of those old northeastern states when they band together. They vote together on many matters where we ourselves, alone, have less of a say."

"That's not a surprise," remarked Murdoch. "But the west is filling up, and with our abundant resources, our territories will become States and we will have more influence over what is important."

"And that may not be in our lifetimes," added Strong.

"Granted," conceded Murdoch. "But I hope my sons will see it and prosper even more."

"Ah, yes, your sons. That's why we're here. Your Scott is, what twenty-five, isn't he?

Murdoch looked puzzled. "Yes, why is that important?"

"Scott is old enough to be elected to Congress as a representative. There is a current empty seat, waiting for someone to be appointed. In a few years, he can be in the Senate. With his connections to the Eastern wealth, he can advance our own interests in a way another person could not."

Murdoch stared. Scott, leave? He recovered and forced a smile. "Well, that's very flattering and generous, but Scott is needed here, and he's quite content. He is, isn't he?

"Come now, Murdoch," Jordan was pressing. "Even you must see that the boy's talents are wasted out here. With his education, and connections and background, surely you see that he can go far in this world. Of course, the knowledge of ranching he acquired and how we do things here can only help, but it would be in his best interests to focus his energy and talents in the political arena."

"Murdoch," Strong finished, "you do have another son who can carry out your vision for Lancer."

Murdoch turned away to pour himself and drink, and downed it one gulp. This was what he had feared-that Lancer and its challenges would never be enough for Scott, and he would want more, and in line with his education and background.

"I wouldn't stand in his way, if that's what he wanted," Murdoch murmured.

Jordan and Strong exchanged satisfied glances. Jordan puffed up. "Well, that's fine Murdoch. We knew you would see it this way. You'll find that it is best for everyone. We just wanted to let you know, and have your blessing before we spoke to him."

A Devil's Blessing of a different kind. I still want so much to spend time with him, get to know him better. "I think he's out by the barn." Murdoch turned away. There was no reason for these men to see that a part of his heart had been ripped out.

LLLL

The whirlwind that was Johnny blew into the room. "Hey, Murdoch, I saw some of your friends leaving the barn. What's going on?"

"They want to speak with Scott. They want him to run for office."

The whirlwind was stilled, before the greater storm erupted. "What's that mean, they want him to run for office? He has work here."

Murdoch couldn't look him in the eye. "It means, Johnny, that they want him to run for office, and serve in Washington."

It took something extraordinary to unnerve Johnny, but this clearly did it. His jaw dropped, then clenched tightly shut.

"And that's it? Are you going to let that happen?"

Murdoch shook his head. "I can't stop him if he wants to go."

Johnny exploded, and the desk shook when he smacked it. "Damn it, Murdoch, you're doing it again! Why do you keep doing this? Why don't you try harder to keep him here? How come he doesn't mean more to you, that you just let him go without a fight again?!"

Murdoch was punching himself internally, as much as from Johnny's onslaught. "Don't you see Johnny, it's because I care about him. Of course I want him to stay here! But if he wants to go, I can't make him stay out of any obligation to me, or us. I have to accept and want for him what he wants for himself."

"Yeah, damn right he owes you nothing-"

"Johnny, Scott has some gifts and knowledge that you and I will never have. It's natural that he wants to stretch and test himself, and benefit others as well. He's already proven himself that he is a capable rancher. As much as I love him and want him to stay, I can't stop him from pursuing something else if it makes him happy, as much as his leaving will sadden me." He paused. "That's what it means to love someone-caring more about their welfare than our own desires."

Johnny was silent. Murdoch could see him thinking it over, wrestling with his desire to have Scott close, and thinking about what Scott really wanted.

The object of their thoughts strode in, almost light heartedly. He greeted them easily "Murdoch, Johnny" before heading over to pour himself a drink. His father and brother watched him intently, but he just sat down and picked up the paper.

Murdoch braced himself and began. "I imagine Jordan and Strong spoke to you?"

"Hm? Oh yes, yes they did."

"What do you think?"

"It's a most intriguing proposition. Imagine, doing what you can to benefit not only California, but this nation, and everyone who lives in it! There have certainly been wrongs, things I do not support, so the chance to do right, well, how can anyone pass that up?"

Johnny stood silently. Murdoch could sense an almost imperceptible slump as realization hit in. This was what Scott wanted. Murdoch watched Johnny's internal struggle before speaking.

"When would you leave?" Good for you Johnny, putting Scott first.

"Leave? Leave for where?"

Murdoch and Johnny exchanged bewildered glances. This was a strange question. Murdoch followed with a puzzled statement of his own.

"Well, for Washington. Where else were you planning to go?"

"Why would I go to Washington?" Scott looked at them in surprise. "Oh, you thought I accepted their offer? To enter the House, then continue to run for office? Of course not."

"But, doin' good, not passing it up-we thought that meant-"

"Well of course I want to do things to benefit California, and the rest of the country. But to hold office-that means being beholden to others, not following my conscience, doing what they want done, rather than what I think is best. Oh no." He grinned. "And I still intend to accomplish that, but from behind the scenes. I intent to use my influence to pull the strings, not be the puppet myself. With your support Murdoch, and Grandfather's connections, I think I can make a difference." The grin widened. "And I expect I could be elected. The threat of that, against the candidate of choice, helps ensure that my ideas are heard, and recommendations enacted and implemented."

Scott sat back, enjoying sight of Murdoch and Johnny's expressions morphing from worry and confusion to delight.

"Run for public office when I can call the tune in private? No thank you. I couldn't stand the loss of power."