The Prodigal Daughter (Kane & Abel 2)

they know you personally and once or twice you were just a little too aloof. And with the man from the Tribune you were just plain rude.”

“Was that the man who asked about who wore the trousers?”

“Yes.”

“What was I supposed to say?”

“Turn it into a joke.”

“It wasn’t funny, Edward, and it was he who was rude.”

“Possibly, but he’s not the one who’s running for public office and you are, so he can say what he likes. And don’t ever forget his column is read by more than five hundred thousand people in Chicago every day including most of your constituents.”

“So you want me to compromise myself?”

“No, I want you to get elected. When you’re in the House, you can prove to everyone that they were right in voting for you. But just now you’re an unknown commodity with a lot going against you. You’re a woman, you’re Polish and you’re a millionairess. That combination is going to arouse just about every form of prejudice or jealousy in most ordinary people. The way to counter those feelings is always to appear humorous, kind and interested in people who do not share the privileges you have.”

“Edward, it’s not me who should be running for public office, it’s you.”

Edward shook his head. “I know you’re the right person, Florentyna, but I realize now that it will take a little time for you to adjust to your new environment. Thank God you’ve always been a quick learner. By the way, I don’t disagree with the sentiments you voiced so vociferously, but as you seem to like quoting statesmen of the past, don’t forget Jefferson’s comment to Adams: ‘You can’t lose votes with a speech you didn’t make.’”

Again Edward turned out to be right: the press the next day gave Florentyna a mixed reception, and the Tribune reporter called her the worst sort of opportunistic carpetbagger he had ever had the misfortune to come across on the political trail—surely Chicago could find a local person? Otherwise he would have to recommend for the first time that his readers vote Republican. Florentyna was horrified and adjusted quickly to the fact that a journalist’s ego was sometimes more sensitive than a politician’s. She settled down to working several days a week in Chicago, meeting people, talking to the press, appearing on television, fund raising and then going over it all again whenever she saw Richard. Even Edward was beginning to feel confident that the tide was turning her way, when the first blow came.

“Ralph Brooks? Who on earth is Ralph Brooks?” asked Florentyna.

“A local lawyer, very bright and very ambitious. I’d always thought his sights were set on the State Attorney’s office en route to the federal bench, but it seems I’m wrong. I wonder who put him up to this?”

“Is he a serious candidate?” Florentyna asked.

“He certainly is. A local boy, educated at the University of Chicago before going on to Yale Law School.”

“Age?” asked Florentyna.

“Late thirties.”

“And of course he’s good-looking?”

“Very,” said Edward. “When he rises in court every woman on the jury wants him to win. I always avoid opposing him if I can.”

“Does this Olympian have any disadvantages?”

“Naturally. Any man who has been a lawyer in this city is bound to have made a few enemies and I know for certain Mayor Daley won’t be overjoyed about his entry into the race, since Ralph Brooks is an obvious rival for his son.”

“What am I expected to do about him?”

“Nothing,” said Edward. “When asked, you simply give the standard answer: say it’s democracy at work and may the best man—or woman—win.”

“He’s left himself with only five weeks before the primary.”

“Sometimes that’s a clever tactic; he’ll hope you’ve run out of steam. The one good thing to come out of this is that Mr. Brooks will have killed off any complacency among our workers. Everyone will now know they have a fight on their hands, which will be good training for when we face the Republicans.”

Florentyna was reassured that Edward still sounded confident, although he confided in Janet Brown later that it was going to be one hell of a fight. During the next few weeks Florentyna learned just how much of a fight. Everywhere she went, Ralph Brooks seemed to have been there just before her. Every time she made a press statement on a major issue, Brooks had given his opinion the night before. But as the day of the primary drew nearer, she learned to play Brooks at his own game, and beat him at it. However, just at the point when the opinion polls showed she was holding her lead, he played an ace that Florentyna hadn’t foreseen. She read the details on the front page of the Chicago Tribune.

“Brooks Challenges Kane to Debate” ran the headline. She knew that with all his court experience and practice at cross-examination he was bound to be a formidable opponent. Within minutes after the paper hit the streets, the phone in Florentyna’s headquarters was besieged with queries from the press. Would she accept the challenge? Was she avoiding Brooks? Didn’t the people of Chicago have the right to see both candidates debate the issues? Janet held them off while Florentyna held a hasty conference with Edward. It lasted for three minutes, during which Florentyna wrote out a statement for Janet to read to all inquirers.

“Florentyna Kane is delighted to accept the invitation to debate Ralph Brooks and looks forward to the encounter.”

During the week, Edward appointed a representative to consult with Brooks’s campaign manager in determining the time and place for the debate.

The Thursday before the primary was the date agreed to by both sides; the venue was to be the Bernard Horwich Jewish Community Center on West Touhy. Once the local CBS-TV affiliate had agreed to cover the debate, both candidates knew that the outcome of the election might well depend on the confrontation. Florentyna spent days preparing her speech and answering questions shot at her by Edward, Janet and Richard. It brought back memories of Miss Tredgold and their preparation for the Woolson Prize Scholarship.

On the night of the debate every seat in the Community Center was taken. People were standing at the back while others sat on windowsills. Richard had flown in from New York and he and Florentyna arrived a half-hour before the debate was to begin. She then went through the ordeal of television makeup while Richard found himself a seat in the front row.

She was greeted by warm applause as she entered the room and took her seat on the stage. Ralph Brooks arrived moments later to equally enthusiastic applause. He pushed back his hair rather self-consciously as he strode across the floor. No woman in the hall took her eyes from him, including Florentyna. The chairman of the Ninth District Democratic Congressional Committee welcomed them both before taking them to one side to remind them that they would each make an opening speech, which would be followed by a question-and-answer session, and then they would be invited to make a closing statement. They both nodded; the chairman had only repeated what had been agreed to by the two candidates’ representatives days before. He then took a new half-dollar from his pocket, and Florentyna stared at the head of John Kennedy. The chairman spun the coin and she called heads. Kennedy looked up at her again.

“I’ll speak second,” she said, not even hesitating.

Without another word, they walked back onto the stage. Florentyna took a seat on the right of Edward, and Ralph Brooks sat on his left. At eight o’clock, the moderator banged the gavel and called the meeting to order. “Mr. Brooks will address you first and then Mrs. Kane will speak.”

Ralph Brooks rose and Florentyna stared up at the tall, handsome man. She had to admit it: if a film director had been casting for the role of President, Ralph Brooks would be given the part. From the moment he started to speak, Florentyna was in no doubt that she would not have to travel beyond Chicago to face a more formidable rival. Brooks was relaxed and assured, his delivery was professional without sounding glib.

“Ladies and gentlemen, fellow Democrats,” he began. “I stand before you tonight, a local man who has made his way in l

ife right here in Chicago. My great-grandfather was born in this city and for four generations the Brooks family have practiced law from our offices on La Salle Street, always serving this community to the best of our ability. I offer myself today as your candidate for Congress in the belief that representatives of the people should always come from the grass roots of their community. I do not have the vast wealth that is at the disposal of my opponent, but I bring a dedication to and care for this district that I hope you will feel surpasses wealth.” There was an outburst of applause, but Florentyna could see several people who were not joining in. “On the issues of crime prevention, housing, public transportation and health, I have for several years sought to promote public good in the courts of Chicago. I now seek the opportunity to promote your interests in the United States House of Representatives.”

Florentyna listened intently to each well-delivered word and was not surprised when Brooks sat down to applause that was loud and sustained. The chairman rose to make Florentyna’s introduction. And when he finished, she stood up—and wanted to run out of the hall. Richard smiled up at her from the front row and she regained her confidence.

“My father came to America over fifty years ago,” she began, “having escaped first from the Germans and then from the Russians. After educating himself in New York he came to Chicago, where he founded the hotel group of which I have the privilege of being chairman, right here in the Ninth District of this city. A group that now employs twenty-seven thousand people in every state in America. When that career was at its zenith, my father left this country to fight the Germans again and he returned to America with a Bronze Star. I was born in this city and went to high school not a mile from this hall, a Chicago education that made it possible for me to go to college. Now I have returned home wanting to represent the people who made my American dream possible.”

Loud applause greeted Florentyna’s words, but she noticed once again that several people did not join in. “I hope I will not be prevented from holding office because I was born with wealth. If that were to be a disqualification, Jefferson, Roosevelt and Kennedy would never have held office. I hope I will not be prevented because my father was an immigrant. If that were the case, then one of the greatest mayors this community has ever known, Anton Cermak, would never have worked in City Hall, and if I am to be prevented because I am a woman, then half the population of America must be disqualified along with me.” This was greeted with loud applause from all parts of the hall. Florentyna drew a deep breath.