Doug Chesnic Essay

Doug Chesnic is a Secret Service agent who takes great pride in his job, performing his duties with the utmost professionalism. His assignment for the last three years has been a severe test of his patience. Doug is in charge of a team to protect Tess Carlisle, the widow of a former U.S. President. Tess is well known for her political and charitable work, but seems to regard Doug less as a security officer and more as a servant—not unlike her chauffeur, Earl, or her nurse, Frederick.
Doug regards it as beneath his professional dignity to perform little chores around the house or bring Tess her breakfast in bed. Tess orders him to do so, even to fetch her ball during a round of golf. Any time Doug defies her, Tess contacts a close friend - the current President to express her displeasure. The annoyed President then phones Doug wherever he is, whether it is sitting down at a restaurant eating or on the toilet tending to his business. Doug’s three-year hitch with Tess comes to an end, so he is eager to be given a …show more content…
It is an indication that perhaps she keeps Doug around because she values his loyalty to her husband and his company. She makes an effort to get on his good side, sharing a drink and a late-night conversation. Morale for the agents improved when Tess tells them that the President would be visiting her late husband's presidential library, but his subsequent cancellation lowered her spirits. Doug finally does get the professional excitement he craved, but in a way he could not foresee. Tess is kidnapped. While the FBI takes charge of the investigation, Doug and his security detail are not only anxious and guilt-ridden, but are informed that Mrs. Carlisle's recent dizzy spells are actually being caused by a brain tumor that she had hinted around about earlier in the