Senator Harlan ‘Raging Bull’ Long’s office was decorated with the usual ostentatious displays of patriotism. American flags, bronze plaques of past victories, and multitudes of framed newspaper clippings adorned the otherwise sterile marble walls. The room’s vulgar displays of political conquests had the subtlety of a bordello, but, paled to in contrast to its occupant. “Dammit Gina, where in the Hell is my call from Tony?” ‘Harley’s’ voice boomed from inside his chamber.
“I’m ringing you through now, Sir, but for some reason it’s not connecting.” Gina flashed a polite smile at Stevens as she punched the buttons on her phone.
“Shit, I hate these Blackberries, Blueberries or whatever you call them. My fingers are too damn big for the keypad. Who the Hell built these thing, Smurfs?” Harley’s profanity-laced …show more content…
“Well then, how do you feel about viruses?”
Harley blew a smoke ring and chuckled. “Well that all depends. When I sit on the Bioweapons Oversight Committee my official stance is that I’m against them.”
“However, I also chair the Appropriations Committee for funding of medical research. There, I find it useful to extol their virtues in the form of vaccines.
“I find it simpler to reflect whatever sentiments my audience wishes to hear, makes for happy constituents. Personally however, I never really gave it much thought one way or the other. Why do you ask?”
Gina knocked at the door. “Sir, Colonel Stryker is here. Would you like him to wait?”
“Great. Nah, tell him to come on in and close the door. And turn off my phones if any of them are still working.” He winked.
Gina escorted a swarthy officer into the room. Harley stood and slapped him on his broad, muscular back. “Thanks for coming on such short notice Tony; I’d like to introduce you to my Personal Assistant, John Stevens.”
Stevens stood and extended his hand, he preferred the discomfort of silence. Many filled in the void by offering more information than could be obtained by a simple
“I’m ringing you through now, Sir, but for some reason it’s not connecting.” Gina flashed a polite smile at Stevens as she punched the buttons on her phone.
“Shit, I hate these Blackberries, Blueberries or whatever you call them. My fingers are too damn big for the keypad. Who the Hell built these thing, Smurfs?” Harley’s profanity-laced …show more content…
“Well then, how do you feel about viruses?”
Harley blew a smoke ring and chuckled. “Well that all depends. When I sit on the Bioweapons Oversight Committee my official stance is that I’m against them.”
“However, I also chair the Appropriations Committee for funding of medical research. There, I find it useful to extol their virtues in the form of vaccines.
“I find it simpler to reflect whatever sentiments my audience wishes to hear, makes for happy constituents. Personally however, I never really gave it much thought one way or the other. Why do you ask?”
Gina knocked at the door. “Sir, Colonel Stryker is here. Would you like him to wait?”
“Great. Nah, tell him to come on in and close the door. And turn off my phones if any of them are still working.” He winked.
Gina escorted a swarthy officer into the room. Harley stood and slapped him on his broad, muscular back. “Thanks for coming on such short notice Tony; I’d like to introduce you to my Personal Assistant, John Stevens.”
Stevens stood and extended his hand, he preferred the discomfort of silence. Many filled in the void by offering more information than could be obtained by a simple