Chapter 7
“I don’t understand how after living in this community for 20 years and serving in the
State assembly for two terms, State Senator Taylor could have failed to create any
legislation that would improve the air that he and his family breathe.” Sam pointed out.
“As Governor, one of my first priorities will be to work for better air quality for all of
California, starting with the communities of Modesto and Los Angeles whose air quality
is among the worst in the nation.”
“Senor Seaborn..” A woman began her question, but was unsure how to proceed.
“Haga su pregunta por favor.” Sam encouraged her. Ainsley leaned closer to Peyton in
a non-verbal request for a translation.
“He told her to ‘ask your question please’.” Peyton whispered and paused while the
woman continued in Spanish. “She’s asking how Sam can help her family get health
care for their children. She and her husband both work full time, but have no health
benefits.”
Sam gave the woman a rueful smile and proceeded to give what to Ainsley sounded
like an impassioned answer in Spanish before translating the question and answer to
English for the rest of the audience.
Josh stood on the sidelines grinning. They were amassing some great free media from
this event. Fred was on the other side of the stage directing volunteers with campaign
literature and answering questions from the growing number of press while Sam
wrapped this Q & A up.
“Ainsley! Do you speak Spanish too?” Another woman called out from the audience.
Ainsley ducked her head and managed, “Apenas un poco (just a little). Sam has taught
me a few phrases, but I’m still learning.”
“What have you learned to say so far?” A reporter tossed out.
“The ones I hear from Sam the most are, ‘sea reservado’ and ‘Te amo con todo mi
corazon’.” Ainsley confessed.
Sam managed to roll his eyes at her response before thanking the audience for
coming and asking for their votes in November.
Sam and Ainsley walked off stage hand in hand with Peyton following behind them. The
Seaborn’s were quickly swallowed up by the crowd who wanted a handshake, a picture,
or an autograph. Josh grabbed Peyton before he passed by.
“What did Ainsley say just then?” Josh inquired.
“She said the phrases she hears from Sam the most are, ‘be quiet’ and “I love you with
all my heart’.” Josh laughed along with Peyton.
“That’s perfect.” Josh decided.
“I’m glad she didn’t use the other phrase I taught her.” Peyton said.
“What was that?” Josh asked.
“Tengo hambre…I’m hungry.” Peyton confessed and had Josh laughing again.
“How much time do we have before we have to be at the next event?” Josh asked Billy
when the younger man joined them.
“Technically, we have 35 minutes, but Donna just called and said the auditorium is
already packed, so I’m thinking sooner is better.” Billy offered.
“Don’t think so much.” Josh advised and smacked Billy on the forehead with his open
palm. “If the auditorium is packed now, it will be overflowing when the Seaborn’s arrive
in 35 minutes with the press in tow. Can’t you see that visual on the 6:00 news?”
“Okay, then.” Billy took that in. “She also said to tell you that the Chief of police
accepted her invitation to come to the auditorium to offer opinions on how to reduce
crime in the community.”
“My wife is a miracle worker, Fred.” Josh bragged. “The Chief of Police has been a
supporter of Taylor’s for years, and yet she convinced the Chief to come to a Seaborn
for Governor event. God, I love that woman!”
Billy chuckled at Josh’s outspoken admiration of his wife. “She is amazing.”
“I’m sure you mean that in a purely platonic, political operative way, right?” Josh’s
eyebrows rose in a strong suggestion of agreement.
“Absolutely.” Billy was quick to comply.
“But you have to admit, she’s a beautiful woman.” Peyton remarked to Billy, teeing it up
for Josh, who on cue looked over at Billy.
“Well, sure, she’s a very beautiful woman.” Billy agreed not wanting to offend his
mentor in any way.
“A VERY beautiful woman?” Josh repeated.
“Well, yes, but not to me… I mean, she clearly only has eyes for you… Not that I’m
watching her to see who she’s watching…May I be excused please?” Billy practically
begged, and after letting him dangle for a minute, Josh nodded his permission and Billy
took off like a rocket.
“That was fun.” Peyton remarked and saw the famous Lyman smirk.
“It really was. I’m going ahead to the auditorium. Make sure Sam and Ainsley make it
there on time?” Josh confirmed.
“Will do.” Peyton replied and moved closer to Sam and Ainsley as Josh moved away.
****************************************
“Thank you so much for taking the time to come here and discuss these issues with us
tonight.” Sam told the crowd in the auditorium. “And to those who took the added risk of
driving their cars here and parking them in the car theft capital of the world; I admire
your courage.” Laughter and applause rolled through the room. “I’d especially like to
thank Police Chief Rayburn for coming tonight to help us talk about potential solutions.
He’s a dedicated public servant and his presence here tonight serves as evidence of
that fact.”
“Sam is doing fantastic.” Donna noted as she came up behind her husband.
“He is.” Josh agreed. “You should have heard Ainsley today; bi-lingual humor. Hey, I
thought you were going to sit down and put your feet up for awhile.”
“There’s not a seat to be found here.” Donna explained.
“Then head home and put your feet up. I’ll catch a ride with Sam.” Josh suggested
while he pulled Donna in front of him and rubbed her shoulders.
“I want to hear a little more of this first.”
“Did I mention how incredible it was that you got Rayburn here for this?” Josh
mentioned.
“Not yet…”
“It was…incredible. I can only imagine the verbal skills required to maneuver the Chief
of Police into what is a tacit endorsement of Sam after years of supporting Taylor.”
“I was quite impressive.”
“Maybe later, when we get home, you can re-enact the conversation for me.” Josh
whispered in her ear and sent shivers down her spine.
“Do you think it’s entirely healthy how turned on you get at the idea of verbal
repartee?” Donna asked, turning to face her husband.
“It was the only way I could flirt with you for 8 years.” Josh pointed out.
“Well now we have other options, is all I’m saying.”
“Old habits die hard and for the record…everything you do and say turns me on.” Josh
leaned forward and kissed her.
“My, you are in a good mood.” Donna noted.
“The campaign is about to get a 4 point bump; which will only increase when Sam and
President Santos appear together on Wednesday, Ben is enjoying a day at Disneyland
with Mom, and we’re almost done for the day.” Josh ticked off the reasons for his
happiness. “Go home and put your feet up. They’ve been swollen all week.”
“Fine.” Donna reluctantly agreed and kissed Josh again. “I love you.”
“I love you too.” Josh replied.
“I’ll see you later.” Donna told him. “Goodnight, Billy.” She called to her husband’s
Deputy as she left.
“Goodnight, Donna. How did she get Rayburn here?” Billy asked Josh.
“It’s a mystery.” Josh replied.
“There are two reporters who’d like a comment from you about the day in Modesto.”
Billy informed him.
“You can handle it.” Josh responded.
“They want to talk to the campaign manager.” Billy protested.
“But I’m busy listening to this; you can handle it.”
“I really don’t think-“
“What’s our message today?” Josh interrupted him.
“Partnership with business to reduce air pollution and community support and action to
reduce crime stats.” Billy recited.
“You can handle it.” Josh repeated. “But if you screw it up, you’re back on my list.”
“Donna says nothing happens on the list.” Billy smirked in a fairly good imitation of his
boss and went to meet with the reporters.
**********************************
“I beg of you, let’s just go home.” Sam said while his wife pouted.
“Tengo hambre…” Ainsley purred in his ear while Josh tried to concentrate on the
schedule for next week that he was perusing.
“There’s food at home.” Sam countered.
“But I’m really hungry for French fries…and maybe a burger.” Ainsley explained.
Josh’s head popped up at the mention of a burger. “We could stop someplace. Grab
something to go.”
“You just think with Donna at home, you can get a burnt burger without the lecture.”
Sam argued.
“So?” Josh smiled at Ainsley. “I saw an IN-N-OUT Burger on our way to the thing.”
“Sold.” Ainsley replied and asked the driver to detour.
“It’s like hanging out with two kids from my dorm.” Sam groused.
“It will only take a minute.” Ainsley assured him and looked down at Josh’s papers.
“Aren’t we pretty locked in with the schedule? We go where President Santos goes,
don’t we?”
“Not entirely.” Josh told her. “I’m thinking of mixing it up a bit. Sending you and
President Santos in one direction and Sam and Helen Santos in another.”
“Seriously?” Ainsley asked.
“It’s a big state and we only have them here for 2 days.” Josh mused.
“Will you share a chocolate shake with me?” Ainsley asked Sam.
“And by share you mean I get to hold it while you eat the burger and fries and then you
drink it by yourself?” Sam clarified.
“I’m going to need to wash down the burger and fries with something.” Ainsley justified.
“She learned that from Donna.” Josh added.
“But Donna is pregnant and doesn’t have to fit into unnaturally small dresses over the
next few months.” Ainsley shot back. “Which is why I want you to share a shake with
me.”
“Sure. Whatever.” Sam decided it was easier to agree than to argue and turned to
Josh. “Billy said you’re running new numbers on Monday.”
“I am.” Josh admitted. “I want to see what this weekend did for us, and I want a baseline
before the new ads start Tuesday.”
“That’s not a waste of resources?” Sam questioned.
“Got to know where we are to see where we’re going.” Josh noted. “Do you think they
have any other flavor shakes?”
“They have strawberry and vanilla.” Ainsley informed him.
“Excellent.” Josh smiled.
“Tell me about the new poll on Monday.” Sam requested.
“Don’t worry about it.” Josh responded. “I love strawberry.”
“Tell me about the new poll on Monday or I call Donna on my cell so she can hear you
order at the drive through.” Sam threatened.
“I leave my entire life behind to come run this campaign for you and this is how you talk
to me?” Josh complained.
“You brought most of your life with you and I want to know about this poll.” Sam insisted.
Josh grinned in acknowledgement of the fact that Sam was right.
“I’m running some numbers on President Bartlet and you. I want to know where it would
be most advantageous to use him.” Josh hedged.
“Yeah, but that’s not it, is it?” Sam guessed.
When silence descended in the car, Ainsley looked back and forth between the two
men.
“What is it, Josh?” Ainsley asked somberly.
“There’s an op/ed that’s coming out tomorrow that highlights your ‘radical left wing
agenda’.” Josh said simply.
“Kevin Kahn’s behind this?” Sam asked.
“Yep.” Josh confirmed. “It also accuses you of being the mastermind behind Bartlet’s
failure to disclose his MS; which really ticks me off since I usually get credit for that.”
Josh tried to joke. “The crux of it is Sam Seaborn; bringing Washington corruption to a
theater near you.”
“Right.” Sam sighed.
“I need to know what, if any of that, is going to resonate out here; which issues I need
to fight back on.” Josh explained. “There are also some pointed references to Peyton
and Toby, just so you know.”
“I assume those will be 2 issues worthy of fighting back on.” Ainsley spoke up.
“Damn straight.” Josh confirmed. “But we don’t want to be reactionary and overly
defensive either. I want the polling data first.”
“We don’t need to poll on whether to-“ Sam sputtered.
“Not whether or not to, Sam; how to. It’s completely different. You’re the nominee now.
We’re going to proceed with caution.”
“Josh Lyman is advocating caution, Samuel. Should I be scared?” Ainsley teased.
“Checking the temperature in hell, certainly.” Sam rejoined.
“Enough.” Josh begged. “This is important and I don’t want to do anything that will blow
it for you.”
“The man’s helped elect 2 Presidents and it’s this race he’s worried about.” Sam spoke
directly to Ainsley.
“I think it’s kind of sweet.” Ainsley acknowledged. “It’s different this time, because it’s his
friend.”
“Hello…sitting right here…Oh, thank God…Yes, I’d like a hamburger, but I’d like it
burnt…yes, burnt, with an order of fries and a strawberry shake. Ainsley?” Josh cued
her to order while Sam shook his head laughing. Maybe this was a different ballgame
for them, but Sam had full confidence in Josh; trusted him like no one else. Everything
was going to be fine.