Bill of Human Wrongs

Protesters were taking up space outside the Senate Chambers, this time chanting for and against the Fair Pay Act. Rachel was on her phone telling her camera man to get there pronto.

“Sorry, Claire. This is too good to miss. If you won’t come on my show, at least I get to show you in all your beauty during this vote.” She laughed. “Mac, I’ll bet you didn’t see this coming, did you?”

Numerous networks were set up outside the building, and when they saw Claire, reporters ran up to her.

“Senator, we heard about the fire. But why are you here?”

Several people with mics were addressing her at the same time.

Kurt waved them off. “Excuse us, the Senator has a vote to make. If you’ll make room for an aisle for us to walk through, I’m sure you’ll get lots of great camera shots for your stories.”

They walked through the people and into the building, then came to the entrance of the chambers. Kurt stopped and took Claire’s hand. “Go get em’ Tiger. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you looking so beautiful.”

Claire smiled at all three of them, and said, “I’ll come to your office later, Kurt. And, Mac, don’t leave Rachel’s side today.”

Rachel told her that she’d be waiting with her camera man when she finished voting. “Then we can get you settled at the Marriott.”

Claire left her three fans and put her head high. Pretend you’re wearing a Versace suit, a pink one. And Anne Klein Shoes with a matching bag. She laughed inside her head. Shoes? She didn’t have any on, and her suit? Stop it, voice! I said pretend.

Claire placed her vote to give women the same pay as men, and looked up to see the people in the upper seats of the chambers. All eyes were focused in her direction, some of them cheering her on. She nodded at them, and began her promenade down the aisle to find Rachel.

She saw Clancy approaching, so stopped to wait for him. “Clancy, so good to see you.”

“What the hell, Claire? Go home and change for God’s sake. I’ve about had enough of your tricks. Have you lost your mind?” He scorned at her, “Poor Bill couldn’t make it today, he’s  mourning the death of his wife. You remember, the lady whose husband you had an affair with?”

“Walk with me, Senator. I know a reporter outside that would love to get your story on her show.”

“What the hell? Claire, this week is nothing compared to what you’ll have to endure for months if you don’t vote with us.”

“Don’t tell me, tell the reporter.” They had advanced to the Senate lobby and saw Rachel and Mac with a cameraman waiting. Pointing at them, she said, “Come, Senator. I’ll introduce you and then you can become famous,” she laughed, “I mean, even more famous today than you were yesterday.”

He put his head near her ear and whispered, “Listen, Bitch. You’re playing with the big boys now. And you don’t know the rules. You haven’t got a chance in hell of beating us.”

She stopped and faced him, “Clancy, as I told you before, I’m still digesting your bill. At this point, I don’t know how I’ll vote.” She smiled and arranged a lock of her hair. “But, of course, we won’t have to wait too much longer, will we? Isn’t this game of yours more fun when you don’t know how it will turn out? I believe that’s why we love sports, isn’t it? I have got to tell you, Clancy, if I knew how a baseball game was going to turn out, I can’t see myself wasting time watching it.” She began walking toward Rachel again. “Come, Senator. I’ll introduce you and if she likes what you say, you’ll be on the Rachel Ross Show tonight.” She stopped again and threw her hand over her mouth. “Oh my God. I forgot that you signed a pledge not to be seen on her show. Why, I’m putting you in an uncomfortable position, can you ever forgive me, Senator?”

Rachel stuck the mic in front of his face, “Senator Alexander, can I talk to you for a moment about SB 1257?” The camera was on him.

He waved her mic out of his face, “I have no comment for you. If you want to hear what I think, you’ll have to tune into FOXX.” He glared at Claire and left them standing in the scenic Senate lobby.