Executive Engagement

That’s how many minutes ago I got a phone call. I can’t tell you from who just yet, hun. I know, I’m sorry. You’re really not going to know even if you skip to the end, so don’t even try. And don’t try now just to spite me. I know I’m stubborn like that sometimes too. Just know that I’m going to go out for a while.

Don’t tell Liam or Carter if they ask, either. I think I might be on to something. But I’m not sure yet if it’s legitimate. I need to head into the city. And the last thing that Liam and Carter will be happy with is me going into New York City by myself without any security. But I’ll be fine. I’ll put on some yoga pants, a windbreaker, and some shades. No one will recognize me.

I’m borrowing Carter’s Jag, in case he asks. Just move to the next page and pretend you didn’t see me leave, babe. Please. Their careers—my career—may very well depend on it.

Carter

The cameras flash as I walk into the crowded chamber. It’s the day of the Ethics Committee investigation as they weigh indicting me on corruption charges. But from the look and feel of things, you’d think it was the first day of the goddamn circus.

I sit down at a table, as the lawmakers sit in a raised dais that forms a semi-circle facing me. The audience is behind me, with press kneeling across from me, underneath the legislators.

You’ve seen this image a thousand times. Congressional hearings. Raise your right hand. Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God? Well, I do. And if people are listening to me as I tell them the truth they’ll see that there is no corruption here. Just thinking about the future—something we should all be doing.

"Governor Andrews, thank you for coming down to see us today," the Democratic Majority Leader begins. Of course he’s thanking me. The camera flashes are enough to blind you if you look at them too closely. This is more press coverage than he’s gotten all year. He's been keeping a low profile ever since those rumors of him and that underage Girl Scout came out on TMZ. Not that they were able to prove anything—the girl’s family all of a sudden moved to the Bahamas and seemed to have a large infusion of cash into their accounts. It boggles my mind that this man is in the same party as me. But what really gets me is that he’s sitting in judgment over me, determining if I’ve maybe had a lapse in judgment that I need to be investigated by him.

"Thank you, Senator," I say back. The New York State Legislature is broken down into a State Senate and State Assembly. It’s the Senate that does the investigating. The Assembly just does the rubber stamping whatever I tell them to do. Right. You don’t need to correct me. They used to rubber stamp whatever I told them to do. Back when I had approval ratings that were in the double digits—way higher than the 9% they’re at now after falling sharply the last two days.

"Let’s go ahead and get started, shall we," the Majority Leader says. "But before we do, I’d like to invite an outside counsel to also participate in the questioning considering that he has been so helpful in uncovering some of the more disturbing facts in this situation."

Okay. So that’s unusual. You don't usually see outside players come into an Ethics Committee investigation. Because you haven’t had a chance to properly vet them. You don't know what kind of bias and agenda they’re coming in with. Plus, there was no real notice. I didn’t get a chance to prepare.

For lack of a better word, it’s a bit…unethical.

Shows you the kind of damn snakes I’m dealing with here. But that’s okay. Because I’m Carter Andrews. I became Governor based on my sheer ability to get things done. No one, and nothing, can take me down.

That's what I think. That’s what I know. And I still believe it even when the Mayor of New York City, and Editor-In-Chief of the New York Daily Journal walks in. There’s some hushed whispering.

"The chair recognizes Michael Anders, Mayor of New York City. Due to his position as the head of the Anders Media empire, he serves as Editor-In-Chief of the New York Daily Journal and has uncovered a great deal of the pertinent facts in this investigation," the Majority Leader says, as if reading from notes. He lifts his head to look at Michael. "Mr. Mayor, you have the floor to ask your questions."

Michael nods. I can’t believe the Majority Leader, as a Democrat, is okay with letting Michael Anders grill me. The Mayor doesn’t have a political party affiliation, but anyone who’s read the Daily Journal over the last two months realizes that there’s some sort of bias there behind the tone of the newspaper against me.

Michael Anders clears his throat.

"Governor Andrews," he says into the microphone. "Can you please state your full name, your office and how long you have served in that office for the record?"

I wonder what the Mayor is going to go for as I answer, "Carter Andrews, Governor of New York State for the last two years."

The Mayor nods from his raised seat on the dais.

"And would you conclude that your signature achievement in the first two years of your office would be what you refer to as the New York State Clean Air and Water Act?" Michael asks.

I nod, but then realize I need to answer. "I do," I say. It’s true. You’ve heard me say it before. And I’m more than happy to say it again. The environmental legislation that I got through the State Legislature is going to save lives. It’s already saved lives.

Michael nods and asks. "And Governor, were you in any way encouraged or prodded to push this legislation through at the expense of all others by any outside party?"

What kind of a stupid question is that? I lean forward and simply say, "No."

As if expecting this, Michael retorts with a, "I find that very hard to believe, Governor, that you would sacrifice pushing through a transportation bill, a crime bill, and a jobs bill, just to push through environmental legislation."

"We still have two more years," I respond back.

"You plan to work on those initiatives, next? Really?" Michael asks, voicing incredulity.

"Yes," I answer back. I’m only going to answer questions here. When he gives me a chance to make my case, that’s when I’m going to verbally rip his goddamn throat out.

"And that once you passed the environmental bill, you started attending fundraisers hosted by China First Bank; can you explain that as well?" Michael asks and I’m silent. I only went to it because I had to. I hate raising money. But it's a necessary evil. "Can you explain why up until passage of your environmental legislation you were never invited to a China First Bank fundraiser, but all of a sudden afterwards you found you had the time."

Dammit. This isn’t going to look good when I tell him the truth. "I was busy being Governor before, but once that priority was taken care of, I began to think about the next four years and the kind of fundraising I’d have to do."