Sons of Fortune

The mayor was looking exhausted, and agreed with his chief of staff that they should call for a recess, to allow the counters and any other officials to take an hour’s break, before the next recount at two o’clock. The mayor invited Fletcher and Nat to join him for lunch, but both candidates politely declined, having no intention of leaving the hall or even straying more than a few feet from the center table, where the votes were stacked up.

“But what happens if it remains a tie?” Nat heard the mayor ask the chief clerk as they made their way toward the exit. As he didn’t hear the reply, he asked Tom the same question. His chief of staff already had his head buried in the Connecticut State Elections Manual.

Su Ling did slip out of the hall and walked slowly down the corridor, remaining just a few paces behind the mayor’s party. When she spotted LIBRARY printed in gold letters on an oak door, she came to a halt. She was pleased to find the door unlocked and stepped quickly inside. Su Ling took a seat behind one of the large bookcases, leaned back and tried to relax for the first time that day.

“You too,” said a voice.

Su Ling looked up to see Annie sitting in the opposite corner. She smiled. “The choice was another hour in that hall or…”

“…or lunch with the mayor, and further epistles of the apostle Paul on the virtues of Madison.” They both laughed.

“I only wish it had all been decided last night,” said Su Ling. “Now one of them is bound to spend the rest of his life wondering if he should have canvassed another shopping mall…”

“I don’t think there was another shopping mall,” said Annie.

“Or school, hospital, factory or station, come to think of it.”

“They both should have agreed to govern for six months each year, and then let the electorate decide who they wanted in four years’ time.”

“I don’t think that would have settled anything.”

“Why not?” asked Annie.

“I have a feeling this will be the first of many contests between them that will prove nothing until the final showdown.”

“Perhaps the problem for the voters is that they are so alike it’s impossible to choose between them,” Annie suggested, looking carefully at Su Ling.

“Perhaps it’s just that there is nothing between them,” said Su Ling, returning her gaze.

“Yes, my mother often comments on how alike they are whenever they’re both on TV, and the coincidence of their shared blood group has only emphasized that feeling.”

“As a mathematician I don’t believe in quite so many coincidences,” said Su Ling.

“It’s interesting that you should say that,” ventured Annie, “because whenever I raise the subject with Fletcher, he simply clams up.”

“Snap,” said Su Ling.

“I suspect if we combined our knowledge…”

“We would only live to regret it.”

“What do you mean?” asked Annie.

“Only that if those two have decided not to discuss the subject, even with us, they must have a very good reason.”

“So you feel we should remain silent as well.”

Su Ling nodded. “Especially after what my mother’s been put through…”

“And my mother-in-law would undoubtedly be put through,” suggested Annie. Su Ling smiled and rose from her place. She looked directly at her sister-in-law. “Let’s just hope that they don’t both stand for president, otherwise the truth is bound to come out.”

Annie nodded her agreement.

“I’ll go back first,” said Su Ling, “and then no one will ever realize this conversation took place.”

“Did you manage to get some lunch?” asked Nat.

Su Ling didn’t have to reply as her husband was distracted by the reappearance of the mayor clutching a piece of paper in his right hand. He look