Chapter 81: Congressional Office Building
Tuesday, January 3rd, Afternoon
Typical of their late-day routine they got together to go over various details that they did or learned that day. Only a few days after noticing the signs of an upcoming "crisis" Senator McMichael brought the concern of his party to the administration. Typical of the current chief executive, he just smoke screened, Senator McMichael.
"There's something on your mind, Iz?" her assistant and friend Skye Gregory asked.
"Just thinking about what John told me about his meeting with the president," Isabella "Izzy" Scott, Congressman-D, North Carolina, said.
Skye shrugged, "Did you expect anything less?" she asked.
Izzy shrugged, "No, not really. I have a meeting with leadership tomorrow," she said.
"Sounds fun," Skye said, and rolled her eyes, "Why would you have a meeting with leadership tomorrow?"
Izzy shrugged, "I don't know, for some reason, I might be asked to be the face of this," she said.
"You're very worried about this?" Skye asked.
Izzy nodded, "Yeah, with Keith over there, it worries me," she said.
"I don't know," Skye said, "Hopefully it's nothing."
The door opened and Kari Johannsson walked into the office. She dealt with other aspects of the Washington DC job for Izzy. The blonde took a seat and looked across the desk at Izzy.
"So, the press has been quiet," Kari said.
"Not surprising," Izzy said, "They are worried about tweets or something."
"Yeah," Kari said, "I've talked to people over at the Puzzle Palace on the Potomac, and they aren't talking about shit."
Izzy nodded, "Not good," she said.
"Exactly what I thought," Kari said.
"Didn't someone say something about foreign entanglements?" Skye asked.
"I heard that somewhere too," Kari said.
Izzy nodded and turned to look out the window. There were Congressional Staffers and Tourist drifting around the grounds of the Capitol Complex. Her eyes focused on the dome of the Capitol Building. So much, for so little, she reflected.
"It was George Washington, in his Farewell Address to the Nation, saying to steer clear of permanent alliances with any portion of the foreign world," Izzy said.
Kari looked at the chair, "How do you know that?" she asked.
"I was in the gallery when John read it on Washington's Birthday when I worked for him," Izzy said.
"They still read that?" Kari asked.
Izzy turned around, "Only in the Senate to mark Washington's birthday," she said.
"The House doesn't?" Skye asked.
Izzy shook her head, "It ended in 1984 for the House," she said.
Kari nodded, "What's wrong Iz?" she asked.
"Nothing," Izzy said.
"She has a meeting with leadership tomorrow," Skye said.
"When did that happen?" Kari asked.
"Today, they called down," Izzy said.
"I see," Kari said.
"I wonder what they want me to do?" Izzy said, "I think they want me to be the one to bring this crisis to the public."
"Why you?" Skye asked.
"I don't know," Izzy said.
Kari laughed. Izzy turned in her chair and looked at Kari. Skye turned in her chair to also look at Kari.
"Why did you laugh?" Skye asked.
"It's simple," Kari said.
"How's it simple?" Skye asked.
"Well, with who Izzy is married to, and who your dad is Skye. Plus, with the image that Izzy is portrayed as in the media, she's perfect," Kari said.
Izzy snorted, "And people wonder why I brought you onto my staff as my special projects person," she said.
Kari just smiled. That was when Izzy's desk phone buzzed. Izzy reached over and clicked the intercom. "Yes?" Izzy asked.
"Senator McMichael called and wants to see if you could spare a few minutes," Izzy's secretary said.
"Yes, I could, ask him when and where," Izzy said.
"He said ten minutes, the usual place," the secretary answered.
"Thank you," Izzy said, clicked off the intercom and looked at Skye and Kari, "I have to go alone, I'll see you at the house."
"Okay," Kari said.
"No, problem," Skye said.
Izzy smiled as she stood up, "There's a Tree Hill game tonight, are you two joining me?" she asked, as she went to get ready for the cold DC air.
"You know I never miss a game," Skye said.
"Sorry, I'm meeting Callum tonight," Kari said.
Izzy nodded, "Well have fun," she said and left her office.
Leaving the office building, she took a half step back from the sudden blast of cold air. Bracing herself she left the building and crossed Independence Ave SE, walked past the Botanic Garden and through Garfield Circle. In front of the Capitol Building on the shores of the Capitol Reflecting Pond, was a statue in bronze guarded by four lions, charging cavalry and an old horse-drawn artillery piece, this was a statue of the Eighteenth President of the United States riding his horse Cincinnati. A man considered by some as one of the saviors of the union.
Izzy was dressed plainly, so none of the few passing tourists noticed who she was. She looked up at the calm detached face of Old Sam. The irony was her brother-in-law was named for Old Sam's friend, opponent, and distant relation to Old Sam's wife.
"Let us have peace," Senator John McMichael said, as he walked up next to Izzy. He was also dressed to hide who he was.
"Noble Sentiment," Izzy said.
"From a Republican nonetheless," John said, "Something I think we all should follow."
Izzy nodded "I heard what Dodger said to you," she said.
John waved it off, "Not the first, nor the last time I've been stonewalled," he said.
Izzy nodded, "So, can we have peace?" she asked.
"The world seems intent on ripping itself apart," John said, "I wish it was over something as honorable as your sister's ideas of us defending the world from Martians."
"Then what is it?" Izzy asked.
"Pete Townsend said it best, 'Meet the new boss, same as the old boss.' Nothing changes, same bad things keep happening and we react the same way," John said.
"Insanity defined," Izzy said.
John nodded, "No truer words," he said, "You were right something is reaching crisis level, sadly."
Izzy sighed, "How do you know?" she asked.
"I have someone at the Puzzle Palace that owed me a favor or thirty," John said.
Izzy nodded, "I'll hear about it from my leadership tomorrow?" she asked.
John nodded, "Probably," he said, "And more."
"Why more?" Izzy asked.
"Izzy, we're the real government here, Dodger will be in power no more than eight years, we'll be here as long as we want. You have potential, and in this case, you are the perfect face for the party," John said, "But that's not why I asked you to meet me here."
"Why did you?" Izzy asked.
"Some of your constituents will be in the line of fire," John said.
Izzy nodded, "That's normally the case," she said.
"Well the Old Hickory Brigade is being moved forward and is on alert," John said.
Izzy's face went blank and she turned cold. "Are you sure?" she asked.
John nodded, "Positive," he said.
"Their deployment was almost over and they were supposed to revert back to state control," Izzy said.
"Chances are they might be extended," John said.
"That's not fair to them or their family," Izzy said.
"Think about every other soldier's family," John said, "That's why we question and try to keep us out of the fighting."
"Thank you," Izzy said.
"I'm sure it's nothing and it will blow over, it's just a show of force," John said.
Izzy nodded, "I hope so, too," she said.
John looked around and shook his head, "It seems the world is more interested in using its toys than playing nice together," he said.
"Are you sure that it's Old Hickory moving up?" Izzy asked.
"Positive, that's what my guy said," John answered.
"Well thanks," Izzy said, with a heavy voice, "I, I, I've got to get going."
"You're welcome, listen to your leadership tomorrow, and Izzy, I do understand," John said.
Izzy nodded, "I hope you do," Izzy said and walked away heading back to her office.