The L Wing - chapter two

Narration of President Bette Porter

Its been a typical Saturday in the White House in that its been unpredictable. I had intended to catch up on some briefing notes but there was a situation in the Middle East that required me to spend two hours in the Situation Room and also to call the Senior Staff in for a meeting at 3pm.

I hate having to bring them in when they work over 70 hours most weeks but they all know the score and they all arrive well before the 3pm meeting. I am sitting at my desk looking at a aerial photograph of some troop movements when Shane, Carmen and Alice arrive. A few seconds later Dana and finally Tina walks in. All the others are in a variety of jeans, sweaters and teeshirts - only Tina is wearing a business suit and high shoes.

Shane fills the others in on the developments and the discussion opens up - I am impressed that the first in with her views is the new girl Tina. She is quickly up against Shane and her usual argument of non intervention - I lean back and watch the debate - I see Carmen grin at Dana - its been a long time since anyone other than me argued with my Chief of Staff. Tina is passionate and well informed.

Already after just five days Tina is impressing everyone with her multiple skills. Jenny was a risk that back fired - she couldn't cope with the job and we have quietly had her admitted her to a private hospital to help her with her nerves - in the end her nerves just ended  up getting on everyone else's nerves. She wasn't up to the pressures of the job - I blame myself for not acting to replace her sooner.

But Tina is a very different proposition - she is verbally sure footed for a start - a basic prerequisite for the job. I am so impressed with her - I have been from reading her CV to reading Alice's notes on the first interview and seeing the video of her mock press conference.

Tina's CV is a very good one - Harvard and Cambridge Universities - the later for a Masters degree in Politics and History.

She has worked for CNN as a News reporter and as a producer. Before that she worked on BBC radio as a reporter. So she has the most ideal qualifications to deal with the Washington Press Corps.

And as all the political commentators have pointed out she is very photogenic - and after five days she hasn't let anyone down. I'm thrilled with her.

"What do you think Madam President ? " Alice asks as Shane and Tina take a lull in their argument.

" I think the two of you are both right but Tina wins on points - we cannot stand on the sidelines Shane as I have probably told you every day for the last two years. We will sponsor a motion on the floor of the UN - set up a call to the British PM  -- Alice - have Valerie and Jen finished my speech for tonight ? "

"Working on it now Madam President  - we will get you the final copy by 5 "

"Are you ready for your first outing with the President Tina ?"

Carmen grins at Tina.

Tina smiles back " Yes "

"You can travel in my car Tina "

There are sniggers from Dana and Alice - I fix them with a stare.

"For some reason traveling with me is regarded as being made to sit beside the teacher on a school outing  by a couple of members of the senior staff - especially by my Director of Communications - you don't mind traveling with me do you Tina ? "

"Certainly not madam President " Tina beams at me - God she has the most amazing smile. I think with that smile Tina could stand in the press briefing room and tell them that we were being invaded by 6 meter tall green aliens and no one would panic.

I had watched her Friday briefing and it was obvious that the reporters had made a deal to try and verbally trip Tina - but she had smiled winningly at all of then and devastated them with her comments and grasp of the facts -she has one hell of a brain.

"See Al - that's how you do it - you remember that you are sitting in the Oval Office with the President of the most powerful country in the world - you do NOT call for the cyanide pill in case our journey is delayed  -- right Al ? "

"Anything you say Madam President " 

"Eh - Madam President - you will be gentle with Tina - it will look really bad if we lose a second Press Secretary in a month "

Shane grins at me - I raise an eyebrow at her.

"You are all in a very good mood because we have had a good week - the scores are looking promising on the Child Welfare but its been a quiet week - we've made mistakes lately and the press haven't forgotten them yet "

"Can I say something madam President ? " Tina asks nervously

"Of course Tina - you might all note that she shows a reverence for my job that most of you have forgotten "  I say only half kidding.

"I know that the administration have made a few errors and the press are sniffing blood but there's a danger of dwelling on them too much. Do you think that a single mother in Oakland whose holding down three jobs to feed her kids cares about who the White House Press secretary is or what happened to the previous one. You cannot overlook the bigger picture -so if I may say we did have a good week because solely of the progress we are making on the Child Welfare reforms - you should not deride that Madam President "

For once I am put well and truly in my place - she is right, Maybe we are all too preoccupied with Washington power plays and not with the achievements we are making on "real "issues.

I look at Tina Kennard and I thank God that she is part of my team. She has already made a great team better.

Its 7:20pm - I am due to attend a pretty grand official function for the incoming Secretary General of the UN at 8pm. In truth I want nothing more than a night lying on the sofa in the Residence watching movies and drinking beer - maybe tomorrow with luck.

I am fixing my watch when Lara comes in. She is my Personal Assistant - she is only 22 and the job is a responsible one - she goes where I go and keeps a lot of people at the distance I want them at. I like Lara a lot - she is a tall red-haired former junior US Open tennis champion before she was injured in a bomb blast traveling through Cairo airport one day - the blast shattered her knee and ended a very promising tennis career.

She came to me through Kit who helped her when she developed an addiction problem. She has been clean for three years and I know I can totally rely on her. My deputy Director of Communications Ms Fairbairn has a crush on her that is not returned by Lara

"The cars are here Madam President "

"I like the suit Lara - very nice. Everyone ready and waiting for me ?"

"Yes - and you are not the only person wearing a dress "

I know she's talking about Tina - I ignore the sly inference that Lara has dangled.

"She's very pretty " Lara says moving around tidying up after me.

"I hadn't noticed " I reply combing my hair. I see Lara grin at my comment before turning her back on me. "Do you think she's attractive Lara ?"

"I think she is very attractive - as do most of the White House "

I finally decide that I am ready and I take my bag and head out of my bedroom. I hardly notice the four Secret Service men that walk with me out of the residence and into the office part of the building.

Alice and Dana are standing in James's office waiting for me to appear - both are wearing smart dark suits - Shane appears wearing a black tuxedo and looking so cool type sexy.

"Are we all ready - where's Carmen ? "  Alice asks

"Talking to Tina " replies Dana.

"Okay  -- lets go and do this " Shane says.

We all set off and are almost at the front door of the White House when Carmen and Tina appear from a side annex. Behind me I hear Alice say.

 " oh wow - that is some frock "

Tina is wearing a silver grey dress that reaches her ankles - her shoes are grey high heels - but the dress. Oh boy.

The dress is low cut - her blonde hair has been curled and she is wearing long slivers of silver earrings. Round her neck is a silver cross and chain - to say that she looks good is an understatement. She looks gorgeous and I guess that she knows it as much as I do.

"Well Tina  -- its nice to find a Press Secretary who doesn't think the equivalent of a black bin liner is the sort of outfit that should be worn for official functions. You look very nice "

"Thank you Madam President "

Soon Tina and I are sitting in my official car being driven through the Washington streets. I am looking at her in a way that doesn't look like I am checking her out. There is no doubt that Tina Kennard is very pretty as well as self assured and very intelligent.

"I'm sorry about last night madam President " she says after a lull in conversation.

She is referring to her mini breakdown over Helena - I smile warmly at her.

"I hope that I you regard me as your friend as well as your boss over time Tina. I meant what I said - how can Helena be such an ass is beyond me. "

Tina smiles a weak but warm smile " Thank you madam President "

"Have she rung you since you got your new job ?"

"No " I can feel the sadness in her voice.

"I know her well and she's an idiot to hurt you - who wouldn't want to have a beautiful woman like you on your arm - she's a fool "

"Thank you Madam President "

I start looking out of the window. Normally when I get a new member of staff in the car I bore then rigid - I mean I make them want to chew their arm off to escape my clutches. I tell them about famous Presidents and their more quirky features - my favourite routine being the similarities between the assassinations of Lincoln and Kennedy. This is what Alice calls " Death by Presidential Decree".

But with Tina all I want to do is look at her and admire her looks as well as her brains.

We reach the hotel the banquet is being held. My secret service agent helps me out of the car and I look across to see Tina being helped out of the car. She looks stunning - I mean - she is very sexy.

She falls in with the others who are waiting for me and we walk in a group. All we need is a pile of sunglasses and the theme music to Reservoir Dogs to look like an ass kicking band of babes.

A couple of hours later I am watching my team of senior staffers in action. Carmen has the most right wing member of the Spanish delegation wrapped round her little finger. Alice is charming and confusing the Russian ambassador and Shane is deep in alcohol-fueled argument with the British ambassador. I look around to see what my newest team member is up to - Tina is holding a glass of champagne and talking to a major player in the French Government.

"You are either going to have to admit to yourself that you have a crush on her or you'll have to start lying better "