The TALONS Files: the chronicles of telepathic agent Ryan Dart

What's Wrong With These Guys?

34

When Ryan and Declan stepped inside the capitol, Ryan was blown away.  It was like a temple or palace; it did not seem like a place where men would hash out new Ideas.

The marble walls were polished to a sheen, as the glossy stone floor was spotless.  Above, a cylindrical space rose towards a high dome, Declan had called it the rotunda.  "The Capitol,"  He said, much like an instructor would,  "Was built during the height of the railroad's Importance.  As a matter of fact, most of the building was paid for with railroad taxes."

"How much cash did it cost to build this place?"  Ryan said, absolutely delighting in the rotunda, as they walked the second floor. 

"In today's currency, it would have came to 1.8 Billion dollars."

"That would never happen today."

Declan laughed.  "You're right, any state building with that price tag would absolutely be shot down,"

Declan's eyes fixed on an open wood door.  The expensive looking oak slab was set in a recess, where the occansional doorway interrupted the tall walls of marble. There,  a large man with a square face blocked the entire opening.  His shoulders looked as if they had been broader in years past, as the weight seemed to be transferred to his midsection.  His gray hair was receding, the remaining strands had been combed back.  Ryan imagined, as he surveyed this broad man, that he was once a handsome fellow.

"Agent Scott!"  The man said in a booming voice.  "So good to see you."

"Senator,"  Declan nodded, responding in a very professional tone. 

Behind the senator, a slight man, being fairly short, peeked from behind the monstrous man.  "Hello,"  This new man, with his long blonde hair shading his blue eyes, forced a smile.  He eyed both Declan and Ryan hungrily.  Walking around the senator,  the slight man emerged - sporting a gray suit and navy blue tie.

The senator laughed a hearty chuckle, as he grinned at the blonde man.  "You'll have to excuse this guy, he's a lobbyist for the mining company. This sly dog seems to have everybody in his hip pocket."

"And exactly how is this man so persuasive, might I ask?"  Declan intently studied the man.

The blonde man shot a beaming smile, as the Senator bit his lip in attempt to keep his thoughts from escaping.

'The little weasel keeps my constituents happy, and keeps my campaign contributors rich.'

The blonde man spoke in an accent, but it was so slight, it was almost indistinguishable, "I keep America's economy rolling.'"  He chuckled, as he clasped his hands together. His expression was so animated, Ryan thought the small man would burst from excitement.

"That's what you're meeting the governor for?"  Ryan seemed shocked. Ryan had a vision of the state legislature, or any governing body for that matter.  He imagined men arguing, debating and compromising.  As a result, new laws would be made.  This particular meeting seemed shady to Ryan.  A closed door session with a state governor, a US senator and a lobbyist... that didn't seem right .

"Yeah kid,"  The Senator said.  "Mines could definitely help the economy in the northern half of the State.  Give men a great job and enjoy a sense of purpose."

'It also makes me look very good to the voters and my Diane will think I'm a stud with power!"

"It is almost in the bag!"  The skinny man said.

"Well, I didn't come for mines."  Declan looked suspiciously at the skinny man.

The senator seemed inwardly frustrated. 'It's a shame nobody knows about these guys.  Man, what it would do for my career.  They stomp out bad guys like nobody's business, and I'm their only contact in Washington.  I handle this so well, man there should be some benefit from that. ' "Yes, yes.  I uh... read the report."