The Senate office building was old. It creaked and clanged. And like all other old government buildings it had its fair share of ghost stories. While the great din created by the machines of government kept most of the "ghosts" at bay during the day, the phantoms emerged at night to make even the most-hearty soul feel uneasy. Rose O'Malley was one such soul. Sitting in the immaculately clean, impersonal, conference room late on a Friday night, she heard the specters prowling through the duct-work, in the walls, ceilings and floors. She was never one to believe in ghosts, but still, the noises unnerved her.
"He's late," she said under her breath. Actually she was early, but none the less, Rose hated waiting. She impatiently thumbed through her notebook, reviewed her meeting planner, and checked her email. "Why can't they just roll over and play nice or better yet play dead?" she thought. "They lost the election and have no real power. Why do I have to waste my time negotiating for small changes to a perfectly good bill?" Rose fumed to herself.
Rosabella Briana O'Malley was born for politics. Her heroes included John and Robert Kennedy, Barak Obama, and Pope John Paul II. She caught the political bug in high school when she served as an intern for her current employer, then a member of the state's House of Delegates. Rose was later hired on as a full time staffer when she graduated top of her class from Georgetown Law School. By that time her employer was a U.S Senator.
Physically, Rose had inherited the best features of her mother's Italian and her father's Irish heritages. She possessed a mane of deep red curls, porcelain skin with freckles, the curves of Sofia Loren and Gina Lollobrigida, and the eyes of color of the Irish landscape. She was fiery passionate about her 'progressive' roots and expended an abundant supply of energy for her causes. She had also developed a reputation as cold and all business.
She was reading through the biography of her opponent as he walked into the conference room. Beauregard Lee Hill was the new Chief of Staff for the leading Republican Senator on the Committee for Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee.
Never one to be overly impressed by ones looks, Rose was never the less stricken by her adversary. Beau was tall and athletic. Looking to be in his early thirties (he was actually 40), his striking and bright blue eyes were set off by his dark hair. He held himself with an honest confidence but not with the overly polished stance and presence held by many on "The Hill. He flashed an impish and disarming smile.
"Miss O'Malley? I have heard a lot about you. How nice to finally meet you," Beau said extending his hand.
"Uh ... Yes ... Nice to meet you," Rose stammered taking Beau's hand which was strong and a little calloused, not the typical smooth skinned hands of most male staffers. "I hear you are new to the Hill. So how do you like the seat of power?"
"This is a very different place than Carolina, Miss O'Malley. While most people are just as nice as they are at home, y'all do move at a much faster pace. I do have to ask – is working late on a Friday normal procedure in Congress? If so, I think I need to drop my gym membership," Beau said, flashing smile.
Coming back to the real world, Rose answered "Depending on what is going on, it can be. There are times that Dominoes sets up shop in the cafeteria. I had the opportunity before this meeting to read your bio, Mr. Lee. I do not think I ever met anyone with an MBA and a Masters of Divinity.
"Business and God, what better skill to have in politics? And please call me Beau, or are first names not allowed here?"
Rose laughed, "First names are allowed – off camera and away from the press that is. It's late Mr. ... uh ... Beau and I would like to get this wrapped up and I would hate for you to give up your gym membership, "Rose said, flashing What does the honorable Senator think of the bill in question?"
"I had a long chat with my employer and he does have several issues with the bill. He also hopes to wrap this up quickly and to move onto more of the country's business. The Senator and several of his colleagues on the committee have listed their objections and have made alternative suggestions in this letter."
Rose quietly read the letter. Beau saw her face begin to turn red. "Mr. Lee, the Senator's proposals would gut the bill. There is no way that my employer can agree to the changes. She has worked long and hard to get the bill on the calendar to have it gutted like a dead fish."
"With no disrespect to your honorable employer, the bill as it stands now is totally unacceptable and the Senator will vote against it. He believes he also has the votes to kill it in committee. He understand that he is in the 'loyal opposition' but in this case he has enough of the majority to keep the bill from seeing the light of day."
"He's got to be kidding if any of my Senator's colleagues will jump ship. There is too much at stake," Rose said in a confident, almost cocky tone.
"I beg to differ. There are a few Senators on the committee from so called purple states and will have to explain to their constituents why the federal government took over their local schools," Beau responded looking straight into Rose's eyes.
"So tell me why has your employer is putting up such a stink against this bill? What does he gain by opposing this bill?" Rose asked in an accusatorial manner.
"No game here, Miss O'Malley. The Senator honestly believes the bill is not needed. The states are very capable of educating children of this nation. This bill is an attempt to co-opt a right that is clearly laid out in the Constitution, that both our employers had taken an oath to defend may I remind you, to resides with the states. So Miss O'Malley the Senator and the member of his party cannot accept this bill without the changes I have presented you tonight."
