«I think this business is extremely important, Mr. President. Even vital. Shall I call him in?»
«No. Not yet. I want to see how far he’ll go, how bad the fever’s got him.»
44
«When did they approach you?» asked Phyllis Trevayne, absently poking one of the huge logs in the High Barnegat fireplace.
«A little over three weeks ago,» replied Andy, sitting on the couch. He could see the wince of hurt around her eyes. «I should have told you, but I didn’t want you concerned. Armbruster said it might only be a … political desperation.»
«You took them seriously?»
«Not at first; of course not. I practically threw Armbruster out of my office, accused him of all kinds of things. He said he was speaking for a caucus in the National Committee; that he was initially opposed to the idea and still not convinced … but coming around.»
Phyllis hung the poker on the fireplace brick and turned to Trevayne. «I think it’s crazy. It’s a blatant device having something to do with the subcommittee, and I’m surprised you went this far.»
«The only reason I went this far is that no one yet has hinted that I alter the report… That’s what intrigued me. I suppose I couldn’t believe it. I’ve been waiting for someone, anyone, to bring up the slightest suggestion … and I was going to burn them. But no one has.»
«Did you bring it up?»
«Continuously. I told Senator Weeks that he was liable to be embarrassed. He looked down his patrician nose and said he was perfectly capable»—here Andy mimicked the Eastern Shore politician—«of answering any questions the subcommittee might raise, but that was another matter. No part of the issue at hand.»
«Brave fellow… But even so, why you? Why you at this particular time?»
«It’s not very flattering, but there doesn’t seem to be anyone else. At least that’s what their polls tell them. ‘No viable contenders on the political horizon’ was the way they put it. The heavyweights are worn out, and the young ones are lightweights. Or they wear their pants too tight or they’re Jewish or Latin or black or some goddamn thing that makes them unacceptable to our democratized election process… As Paul Bonner would say, ‘Horseshit!’»
Phyllis walked-wandered back to the couch, stopping along the way to take a cigarette from a box on the coffee table. Andy lit it for her.
«That’s unfortunately perceptive.» She sat down next to her husband.
«What?»
«They’re right. I was trying to think who they had.»
«I didn’t know you were an authority.»
«Don’t kid yourself, Mr… What did that dreadful man call you?… Mr. Arrogance… I haven’t missed an election in years.»
Trevayne laughed. «The seer of High Barnegat. We’ll rent you to Nick the Greek.»
«No, really. I have a system. It works. Take the name of a candidate and put the word ‘President’ in front. It either sounds real, you know, all right; or it doesn’t. The only time I had trouble was in sixty-eight. It didn’t sound right with either one.»
«A general consensus …»
«Of course, it’s a little more difficult when there’s an incumbent; then you have to split hairs. Which brings to mind, the man in there now sounds pretty okay… I thought you liked him.»
«He’s not going to run again.»
Phyllis’ controlled expression changed. She looked at Andy and spoke quietly, urgently. «You didn’t tell me that.»
«There are several things I haven’t—»
«You should have told me that first.»
Trevayne understood. The game was no longer a game. «I’m sorry. I was taking things in order of sequence.»
«Try in order of importance.»
«All right.»
«You’re not a politician; you’re a businessman.»
«I’m neither, really. My business interests are secure but peripheral. For the past five years I’ve worked for the State Department and one of the largest foundations in the world. If you want to categorize me, I’d go under the label of … ‘public service,’ I suppose.»
«No! You’re rationalizing.»
«Hey, Phyl… We’re talking, not fighting.»
«Talking? No. Andy, you’ve been talking. For weeks; with other people, not with me.»
«I told you. It was too loose, too speculative to raise hopes. Or doubts.»
«And now it isn’t?»
«I’m not sure. I just know it’s time we talked about it… I gather I’ve lost your vote.»
«You certainly have.»
«Make a hell of a story. Probably the first time in history.»
«Andy, be serious. You’re not … not …» Phyllis stammered, unsure of the words but certain of her feelings.
«Not presidential timber,» added Trevayne gently.
«I didn’t say that; I don’t mean that. You’re not a … political animal.»
«I’m told that’s a plus for our side. I’m still not sure what it means.»
«You’re not that kind of extrovert. You’re not the sort of man who goes through crowds shaking hands, or makes a dozen speeches a day, or calls governors and congressmen by their first names when you don’t know them. You’re not comfortable doing those things, and that’s what candidates do!»
«I’ve thought about … those things, and you’re right, I don’t like them. But maybe they’re necessary; perhaps by doing them you prove something quite apart from position papers and executive decisions. It’s a form of stamina. Truman said that.»
«My God,» said Phyllis softly, making no attempt to hide her fear. «You are serious.»
«That’s what I’m trying to tell you… I’ll know more on Monday. On Monday I’m meeting with Green and Hamilton. On Monday it could all blow up.»
«You need their support? Do you want it?» The questions were asked with distaste.
«They wouldn’t support me in a race with Mao Tsetung… No, Phyl, I’m going to find out how good I really am.»
«I’ll pass that… Let’s stick to why Andy Trevayne suddenly thinks he’s in the race for such a position.»
«Can’t you say the word, Phyl? It’s called the presidency.»
«No, I won’t say it. It scares me.»
«You don’t want me to go any further then.»
«I don’t understand. Why would you want to?… You don’t have those kind of demons, Andy; that kind of vanity. You have money, and money attracts flattery, but you’re too realistic, too aware. I just can’t believe it.»
«Neither could I when I first realized I was paying attention.» Trevayne laughed, more to himself than for his wife’s benefit, and put his feet on the coffee table. «I listened to Armbruster, went to the meetings, because I thought all the conversation was leading up to one thing—the report. And I was angry, angry as hell. Then I understood that wasn’t the case. These were professionals, not frightened men caught with their fingers in the till. They’re the talent hunters; I can’t object to that. When the companies were growing, I spent months scouting corporations here and abroad luring away the best brain power I could buy. I still keep it in mind. Whenever I meet someone I think might be an asset, I make a mental note to call your brother… These men are doing the same thing I was … am still doing. Only on a larger scale, with far greater complications. And if in the first few weeks or months I fall on my face, they’ll pull the rug out so fast I’ll have mat burns. But I’m beginning to think it’s important to give those first few months a try.»
«You haven’t explained why.»
Trevayne withdrew his feet from the small table and stood up. He thrust his hands in his trousers pockets and walked on the patterns of the living-room rug, absently placing his feet at specific intervals as a small boy on a sidewalk playing step-on-a-crack. «You really want the nitty-gritty, don’t you?»