The Founders' Plot

Like any general, Stern knew that surprise is worth a mountain of ammunition. When she walked into the senator’s office, her greeting and pleasant demeanor were different from anything she’d shown him before.

She took a seat in front of his desk, which was cluttered with disorganized stacks of papers. And it wasn’t just his desk. More stacks of paper, two empty coffee cups, and candy wrappers covered the conference table to her left, two boxes filled with who-knows-what were on the floor under the window behind him, and his suit coat lay crumpled on his couch. The messy surroundings enhanced her antipathy of the man.

“Thanks for taking the time to meet with me,” she said. “I appreciate it very much, especially since you and I haven’t seen eye-to-eye on a whole lot.”

“I’m always willing to talk,” he said.

“I think it would be good for both of us to make amends and work together on a few things,” Stern said. “Bumping heads all the time doesn’t help either of us. Don’t you agree?”

“Sure. It’d be an interesting change of pace to be on the same side now and then. But we’re so far apart on so many issues, I’m not altogether sure we can find common ground.”

“Money. Money is common ground. I have pet projects and so do you. We could work together there. I know you want funding for a private airport just outside of Los Angeles, and you know I’m trying to get more money for the state’s healthcare program.

“We can work on those things together. I know you’re not crazy about pouring more money into state health care and, frankly, I don’t think we need another private airfield for corporations and rich guys. But I could buy into the airport if you can buy into more money for health care.”

“This state’s health care system is a disaster. I don’t see how throwing good money after bad is going to help.”

“It would help us. It’s a start. A chance to deal with each other in a way that we both get something. Here’s another thing. You want to keep senatorial staffers at their current pay level. But some of my people want to increase them. I’m minority leader and I think if I talk to them, I could change their minds.”

“I’m sure you could.” He nibbled his lower lip and his eyes squeezed into narrow slits. “But why would you?”

“As I told you,” Stern said, “it’s a start. I just think we’d both be better off if we settled some of our differences and worked in tandem once in a while. I don’t want you to compromise your principles. But I don’t think a few trade-offs here and there means you’re losing your integrity.”

She paused, imagining what he was thinking. “And there’s another way I can help. Word is you’re trying to move from the Transportation Committee to Ways and Means. I have influence to help you there.”

He tapped a pen on his desk. “That all sounds nice. But I’ve got to tell you, Liz, I’m not sure what this is all about. You and I have been at each other’s throats for years. Why the sudden turnaround? Get to the point. What is it that you really …?” Then he leaned forward with a knowing smile. “It’s the immigration bill, isn’t it? You need my vote.”

Stern sat back. It was time to go back to the stick. “Okay, I’m not as good at being friendly as I am at being a conniving bitch. I thought you’d like it better this way rather than the way things were in the past. Now, I’m not so sure. So, I’ll level with you.

“Yes, I want your vote on that bill. And I’m willing to pay for it. Forget siding with me on health care.” She could probably get that through without him. “But I want that immigration bill to pass. So, I’ll side with you on everything I just mentioned if you stand with me on this. What do you think? Do we work together, or do we fight?”

He folded his arms in front of him and stared at Stern. She could read his mind. This might be a chance to square some of the things she’d done to him in the past. But she was making one hell of an offer. That airport would mean some heavy corporate campaign contributions. And he’d wanted that move to Ways and Means for a long time.

“Let me think about it,” he said. “I’m not used to this generosity from you.”

“I think you could warm up to it. All right, think about it. But I need to know soon. I hope this works. Who knows, this may be the start of a wonderful relationship.”

She stood up and shook hands with him. “It’s a good offer. You should take it. Now, I’ll get out of your way.”

Stern grinned when she entered the corridor. He’d cave. Walking back to her office, she reflected again on something she’d considered for days. Despite increasingly good prospects for getting the bill she wanted, she wasn’t fully convinced she could get it past the governor’s veto.

This had to be a lead-pipe cinch. And the only way to be sure of that was for the governor not to veto her bill. Stern really didn’t want to; she had a sick feeling about it. She was a tough, tooth-and-claw fighter, but didn’t see herself as an evil woman. Still, she had to take the fight as far as necessary.