excuse me? Rebecca blurted, hand up high. There is one other group Id like to put on the table.
Okay, lets hear it.
She cleared her throat. Well, ah ... Pat covered most of them, she said, flashing a smile at Pat, but there is one other that might be worth a look. The Silver Panthers.
Next to her. Matt sat back, folded his arms loosely across his chest and grinned.
They are a grassroots organization of senior citizens, she explained.
Oh, we know who they are. Tom said. And thank you for mentioning them. We inadvertently forgot them. His response was an enormous relief to Rebecca . . . until he added They are a tough nut to crack , . . but Im sure you know that, right?
Ooh . . . well, they are having their state convention at Lakeway at the end of the month. And I ... I was thinking it might be a good opportunity to introduce you to them.
Rebecca, thats a great idea, Tom declared.
She smiled, relaxing a little. I dont know for a fact if we can get their attention at this late date
Heres a surprise: We cant, Matt interjected amicably.
Without sparing him a glance, Rebecca continued, But I thought, maybe, we could host like a little party or
something, and invite as many conference attendees as we could get.
Perfect! Line it up! Tom said.
Ah, Tom... Matt interrupted. Nothing against a good early fund-raiser. But its really a little early to do more than a friends of Torn deal, dont you think? I mean, dont you want to finish getting your platform together before we meet with any significant groups? We skated through the March primary with the bare bones, but now is the time to focus on getting your message out there. The Panthers might want to hear your stance on any number of issues.
Ah hell, Matt, theyre just a bunch of old folks! Tom said cheerfully.
That might be a little shortsighted, Matt easily continued. These are active folks who will care about more than just health care.
Dude dont worry, be happy! Tom insisted with a winsome grin. Look, weve got plenty of time. I am already working out the last platform issues with the party folks, he assured Matt. So, Rebecca, if you can get us in front of the Silver Panthers, youll be the shining star of this campaign. Okay, lets see what else Angie, I want the phone bank up so we can start making some cold calls next week.
And as Tom began to rattle off a list of tasks for the group to tackle, Rebecca risked a look at Popinjay. He was looking at her, too, calm and expressionless. She smiled tightly, turned back to her papers, and wondered if he was always going to try to rain on her parade.
It was almost as if he heard her Matt slowly leaned over, so close that when he whispered, she felt his breath in her hair. Dont set it up, he said. We need to chat with the party folks first.
He told me to, remember? she whispered back, and straightened again.
Matt scooted closer, leaned over again. I know he told you to, but Im telling you that its premature. He doesnt have enough of the right things to say just yet, and the
party will want to orchestrate it. Dont worry; Ill talk to him when were through here.
Honestly, hunk aside, who did this guy think he was? And anyway, if he knew so much, why wasnt he running for office? FYI, she whispered, you are not the candidate. Tom is.
Now, why am I not surprised to hear you say that? he cheerfully remarked, and straightened in his seat. But then he leaned over again, his eyes on Tom. By the way ... do you always smell so good? he whispered.
There was that goddamn flush again. Youre ridiculous.
The March primaries are over, folks! Tom was bellowing, moving into his pep talk. Weve got our work cut out for us and we need to gear up for the big fight! He slapped both hands down on the scarred metal table. The Republicans are going to try to chew us up and spit us out, so come in each day ready to do the work of two people. Fair enough? Angie will get the offices set up tomorrow and man the front. Parrish, well fine-tune that
Okay, lets hear it.
She cleared her throat. Well, ah ... Pat covered most of them, she said, flashing a smile at Pat, but there is one other that might be worth a look. The Silver Panthers.
Next to her. Matt sat back, folded his arms loosely across his chest and grinned.
They are a grassroots organization of senior citizens, she explained.
Oh, we know who they are. Tom said. And thank you for mentioning them. We inadvertently forgot them. His response was an enormous relief to Rebecca . . . until he added They are a tough nut to crack , . . but Im sure you know that, right?
Ooh . . . well, they are having their state convention at Lakeway at the end of the month. And I ... I was thinking it might be a good opportunity to introduce you to them.
Rebecca, thats a great idea, Tom declared.
She smiled, relaxing a little. I dont know for a fact if we can get their attention at this late date
Heres a surprise: We cant, Matt interjected amicably.
Without sparing him a glance, Rebecca continued, But I thought, maybe, we could host like a little party or
something, and invite as many conference attendees as we could get.
Perfect! Line it up! Tom said.
Ah, Tom... Matt interrupted. Nothing against a good early fund-raiser. But its really a little early to do more than a friends of Torn deal, dont you think? I mean, dont you want to finish getting your platform together before we meet with any significant groups? We skated through the March primary with the bare bones, but now is the time to focus on getting your message out there. The Panthers might want to hear your stance on any number of issues.
Ah hell, Matt, theyre just a bunch of old folks! Tom said cheerfully.
That might be a little shortsighted, Matt easily continued. These are active folks who will care about more than just health care.
Dude dont worry, be happy! Tom insisted with a winsome grin. Look, weve got plenty of time. I am already working out the last platform issues with the party folks, he assured Matt. So, Rebecca, if you can get us in front of the Silver Panthers, youll be the shining star of this campaign. Okay, lets see what else Angie, I want the phone bank up so we can start making some cold calls next week.
And as Tom began to rattle off a list of tasks for the group to tackle, Rebecca risked a look at Popinjay. He was looking at her, too, calm and expressionless. She smiled tightly, turned back to her papers, and wondered if he was always going to try to rain on her parade.
It was almost as if he heard her Matt slowly leaned over, so close that when he whispered, she felt his breath in her hair. Dont set it up, he said. We need to chat with the party folks first.
He told me to, remember? she whispered back, and straightened again.
Matt scooted closer, leaned over again. I know he told you to, but Im telling you that its premature. He doesnt have enough of the right things to say just yet, and the
party will want to orchestrate it. Dont worry; Ill talk to him when were through here.
Honestly, hunk aside, who did this guy think he was? And anyway, if he knew so much, why wasnt he running for office? FYI, she whispered, you are not the candidate. Tom is.
Now, why am I not surprised to hear you say that? he cheerfully remarked, and straightened in his seat. But then he leaned over again, his eyes on Tom. By the way ... do you always smell so good? he whispered.
There was that goddamn flush again. Youre ridiculous.
The March primaries are over, folks! Tom was bellowing, moving into his pep talk. Weve got our work cut out for us and we need to gear up for the big fight! He slapped both hands down on the scarred metal table. The Republicans are going to try to chew us up and spit us out, so come in each day ready to do the work of two people. Fair enough? Angie will get the offices set up tomorrow and man the front. Parrish, well fine-tune that
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