Chapter 6

 

The congressmen and congresswomen moved awkwardly, trying to maneuver through the tiny office. The fine cloth of expensive suits brushed against one another, the air heavy and thick from the number of bodies in the room. Daniel hid in the back corner, his hands fumbling over one another, watching the grimaces on the faces of his fellow politicians. He'd never seen people so eager to hear the words of one man and simultaneously wishing they had never been summoned to listen.

 

Whenever a pair of eyes found Daniel, he would watch the person who spotted him whisper in the ear of their neighbor, who would then look his way. His attempts to remain secluded failed with every head turned in his direction.

 

Everyone knew about his professional connection with Jones and the position of his state. Once Smith had said his piece, everyone would be looking to hear what he would say. And right now, he didn't have an answer. 

 

The room parted as Smith's office doors creaked open and he walked inside. He patted shoulders and shook hands along the path to his desk, where he used a chair to assist in his climb to stand above the crowd.

 

“Congressmen, Congresswomen, thank you for coming on such short notice,” Smith said.

 

The room went silent. Smith seemed to look at each of them individually and as a group all at once. The tension from Smith's audience was uncomfortable and anxious. Daniel knew that if Smith didn't say something worthwhile, the room would empty faster than a gallon of water in New Mexico.

 

“You all know why I've called you here. Jones's bill cannot pass,” Smith said.

 

“And how do you propose we stop it?” Congressman Edwards said. “Jones has the ear of the president and the Senate.”

 

“He's also the chairman of the resources committee, which controls funds to all states in regard to water, food, and fuel,” another voice added.

 

The apprehension spread like a virus. Mumbles and grunts followed each lamentation. Smith extended his arms out across the crowd, trying to regain control.

 

“Everyone, please. All of us are well aware of Congressman Jones's affiliations. He may have the ear of the president and pull in the Senate, but he does not control the voice of Congress. The people do,” Smith said.

 

Smith paused, letting his words resonate within the bodies surrounding him. Daniel inched forward absentmindedly. His arms unfolded, and he could feel the rest of the room shift forward with him.

 

“Every single man and woman in this room took an oath. All of us were sworn to support and defend the Constitution of these United States. The moment that bill passes is the moment that we fail not just the people we represent but the entire country,” Smith continued.

 

Every single man and woman in this room also wanted to achieve their reelection next term. All of them had played the game, including Daniel. They were all borrowing time, greasing wheels and shaking hands with one hand while they hid a knife behind their backs with the other one. The ends justified the means.

 

“The bill won’t disappear unless we have something that can replace it,” Edwards said.

 

“I know,” Smith said. “And that's why I propose we resubmit bill H.R. 285016.”

 

Daniel closed his eyes, listening to coughs and snorts. He had been foolish to think Smith would have something that could really work. Smith had just thrown up a Hail Mary pass, and Daniel knew he would come up short.

 

“It didn't work three years ago, so why would you think it would work now?” Edwards said. “Jones dragged that bill through the mud. Even if we were able to pass it, the American people would lynch us for doing it.”

 

“The legislation is solid. And if the American people do not understand the difference between a bill of life and a bill of death, then we have far greater problems than Jones. The allegations against the bill were false, everyone knows that. Jones used fear to block it the first time; we can’t let him use that again.”

 

Smith looked to Daniel, and Daniel's eyes immediately found the tops of his shoes. He could feel Smith's gaze drilling into him. He cursed himself for showing up. The brief moment of courage that had propelled him to attend the meeting dissipated into the room.

 

“What does our representative from North Carolina have to say on the issue?” Edwards said.