White House aides admitted a few stragglers into the room and then closed the doors, indicating the press conference was about to begin.
Ryden’s nerves escalated as she stood outside the Press Room and heard the clamor from reporters inside. She was already on edge because this was to be her first full press conference. She’d managed to avoid having to answer questions during her only other appearance in this room—when she’d delivered the brief “I’m all right” statement scripted by Kenneth Moore after the assassination attempt. This time, she would have to face questions from the global press. Ratman had prepared her the best he could, with answers to every anticipated query, but unforeseen questions always popped up during these rare opportunities with the president that could catch even the real chief executive off guard.
Her makeup artist gave her a final once-over, then stepped back and nodded.
“Are you ready, Madam President?” the White House press secretary asked. He was a distinguished former journalist known for his coverage of conflicts in the Middle East.
Ryden nodded. “Go ahead, George.”
He went into the room ahead of her and told the assembled press to take their seats. Once the din had quieted, he announced, “Ladies and gentlemen, the president of the United States will be reading from a prepared statement and will then take your questions.”
Her cue. Ryden took a deep breath and straightened her posture as an aide opened the door for her. Flashes from cameras went off as she stepped to the podium. Surveying the room in a quick glance, she saw countless video cameras set up in the back of the crowded room, televising the event live around the world.
She deliberately avoided looking at Kennedy, who stood off to one side, her back against the wall.
“Good morning, everyone,” she began. The statement was typed out for her on the podium, but she had it memorized. “I’m here today with an announcement regarding one of the major cornerstones of my political agenda—my plan to curtail and eventually eliminate the illegal-arms trade in the United States. It had been my hope that a concerted approach involving funding, legislation, manpower, and cabinet-level oversight would reduce this insidious threat within our borders and impact the black-market selling of guns abroad as well.”
As Ratman had instructed, she maintained a serious and resigned expression as she continued. “One of the plan’s key backers until now—Senate Majority Leader Andrew Schuster—recently met with me to discuss his concerns about the plan as drafted and to announce that he was withdrawing his support. Without his leadership on this issue, it stands no chance of gaining the required congressional votes for approval.”
Shocked murmurs circulated through the crowed, and more flashes went off.
“Therefore, I am here today to announce that I am abandoning the plan as drafted. While it remains a goal of my administration to reduce the illegal-arms trade—which deals in billions of dollars in black-market weapons annually and is responsible for the deaths of thousands of innocent people—I must be content to participate in the efforts spearheaded by global organizations on this issue, such as the United Nations.” She paused for a few seconds. “I’m ready to take your questions.”
Nearly every reporter in the room raised their hand. Ryden had the protocol of who to favor first well memorized. Wire services came first, then the broadcast networks, national newspapers, newsmagazines, video, and, lastly, regional newspapers. How many actually were called upon was entirely up to her. She pointed to the reporter for UPI—United Press International. “Yes, Alex?”
“What were Senator Schuster’s reasons for the abrupt about-face in his position?”
Ratman had guessed that would be among the first questions.
“I’ll leave that to the senator to explain. As many of you know, he’s holding his own press conference on the Hill in an hour,” she replied. “I will tell you that our exchange was cordial, that I respect his position although I don’t agree with it, and that this in no way will affect our future working relationship on other issues of national importance. Senator Schuster has been, and will continue to be, a respected leading voice in the Democratic Party.”
She then pointed to the Associated Press reporter. “Next. Barry?”
The rest of the questions were all ones that had been anticipated, so she was able to deliver quick, eloquent responses without ever appearing flustered. No reporter delved into unrelated matters, because the content of her announcement had been so unexpected and of such great importance. After ten minutes, in keeping with Ratman’s instructions, she begged off further inquiries with a polite, “I’m sorry, ladies and gentlemen, but that’s all I have time for today,” and hastily made her exit.
Shield stayed on the president’s heels when she abruptly departed the briefing room, as surprised and mystified by the announcement as the media seemed to be. Thomas had been adamant and passionate about her feelings on the illegal-weapons issue and guns in general, a view that Shield shared and respected.
She knew the president’s arms agenda was highly controversial, but as a professional, Shield was well aware that too many people took the ownership of weapons lightly. They figured it was normal to point one in someone’s face and shoot and call it their constitutional right. Like Thomas, she believed that only the police and military—not thugs, yahoos, and civilians with a few rounds at the shooting range—should own guns. Never mind those small-penis idiots who considered shooting animals a sport.
They escaped the noisy chaos of the Press Room, and Shield followed Thomas across the hall into the deserted Cabinet Room, where the president paused and let out a deep breath.
“I didn’t see that coming,” Shield said. “I was frankly pleased with where you stood on weapons.”
“Yes, well, Schuster pulled back.” Thomas started to continue toward the Oval Office.
“Why?”
The president stopped but didn’t turn around. “You sound like a reporter and I’m done answering questions. Also, I don’t remember asking for your opinion on the subject, so please refrain from offering one. See me to my office and I’ll let you know when I will need your services again.”
Shield’s job was going to become very unpleasant, to say the least, if the president insisted on dismissing and ignoring her. “Elizabeth.”
Thomas turned to look at her. “Was I not clear?”
“Crystal, but…”
Thomas approached her. “You’re skating on thin ice as it is, Kennedy. Remember who you are. Contrary to what you may believe, I can have you fired any time I please.”
“Then why haven’t you?” she asked. “It would appear I’ve given you plenty of reasons, and it’s become abundantly clear you can’t stand me.”
“Because I don’t have the time to busy myself with trivial topics,” the president replied. “But stop pushing it, because if pressed, I can make the time.”
“With all due respect, that’s a lie. Although I’m sure my organization will arrange a replacement if asked to, I’m still here only because you know I’m on your side. And I am the only person in this prison that gives a damn about what happens to you.”
“You only care because you think there’s some plot to destroy the world and you’re looking to prove yourself right. Both of us know you give about as much of a damn about me as the National Enquirer.”
“You’re wrong. I never said you’re out to destroy the world, and I also have no interest in proving anything.”
“Bullshit,” Thomas said calmly and with a hint of a smile. “Either way, you have absolutely no proof of that. Now, you can either waste your time with useless and tiring conversation or do what you were hired for and stop harassing me before I have you arrested for defamation.”