Lee picked up his phone and made a call to his campaign manager in his home state, the state where he owned three homes but rarely was in any of them.
“Barry, hey, make sure when I head there next week to tie up my townhalls.”
“Sure, sure, Lee, I’ve already got them arranged.”
Lee looked up at Eli and let himself smile again, then put the call on speaker. “Barry, who is coming to my townhalls?”
He watched Eli’s face closely as Barry listed off those invited. “The Colemans, they donated ten thousand to the re-election PAC and another fifty thousand to your personal fund. The Sigmonds, they donated more than the Colemans. Another three of your top donors and four of those who are on the fence for next election. I’ve got Venice Champion to cater and that DJ that adds in the mellow seventies’ music for nostalgia.”
“You are the man. Thanks, Barry. I’ll see you in a few days.”
As soon as he hung up the phone, he looked up to Eli, smirking.
“You’re proud of that?”
“It has nothing to do with pride, Eli. This is all about money and power. It’s what DC is all about. Money, power, secrets. If you think you can bring it down, well, better men than you have tried. Tried and failed.”
He saw Eli’s frustration and it reminded him of his own. When he was much younger and more naïve, he thought the government was there to protect and help the people. Then he grew up, so it was time Eli did as well.
He rose from the desk, walked around it, and started to slowly pace as he explained things to Eli. “There’s a castle in Scotland, one that has been attacked over and over through the centuries. It changed hands, saw the rise and fall of Scotland, and of England, and it still stands strong and dominant over the land around it.” He stopped and grabbed Eli’s arm, turning him. “Eli, DC is like that castle. It stands higher and dominant over the others in the world, sure, but also the people here, in the country. We feign letting the people have a say, going so far as to pretend to give in to demands when they protest or whatever. Really, though, we’ve kept the status quo, the rich over the poor. It’s what this country was founded on, despite all the pretty words.”
“That’s not why it was made. We proved that democracy could work.”
He laughed, though he felt Eli’s pain. “We’re not a democracy, Eli. We appoint representatives and senators to vote for us, and when they vote for their own interests. Those interests are then touted to be best for them, the regular Joes.”
“How can you be okay with that?”
Laughing as he made it back behind his desk, he looked right at Eli and asked, sincerely, “You are different. You are like a kid, learning the ways of adults in a very short time.”
“Sorry if it’s childish to want truth, honesty and accountability from the people chosen to represent us.”
He tried to walk away, but Lee called to him, “Quit if you like. That nasty debt will be waiting for you.”
He stopped, as Lee knew he would. Then, however, he got a surprise. Eli turned around, sure, face red with rage. “I’ll find a way to pay for it, but it won’t be like this.”
Out the door he went.
Lee didn’t get discouraged. In fact, he smiled, knowing he wanted Eli more than he had already, so he called Mars.
“He’ll be there soon, ready to pack his things. Get him to stay.”
“Sir…how?”
“I don’t care how you do it. Get him to stay.”