BAD WINE CRAPPY CHOCOLATE

CHAPTER FIVE-2

The senator looked at her with a sympathetic expression.
"I know it's difficult to accept the fact that your brother has lost his way, Cybil. But you don't
really believe him, do you? Someone in his position would say and do just about anything."
"And it's much too easy for you to accept the Allisours people's story," Cybil said caustically. "I
know you never agreed with Brandon about most things, but I always believed you had a higher opinion of him than that."
"Did he offer you any proof that this time travel device works?"
"Not yet. But Brandon claims that he's brought our mother back from the past."
Chris Cane was silent as a profound sadness swept across his aged face.
"I think your brother needs help," he said compassionately. "Brandon's trying to find someone to
turn to. You must convince him to see a professional."
"I don't think he's lost touch with reality," Cybil countered. "He overheard a conversation
between your friend Daniel Foster and his associates. They're planning to do away with me. That's why Brandon took the Mises."
"Come now, Cybil. Why would they want to do such a thing?"

Cybil hesitated. She knew her answer would infuriate Senator Cane. The Mibil inside her head suddenly came to life.
"I have to take this, Chris," she told him.
The senator took a walk around the grounds. Though having lived for 108 years did not signify a person's entry into the last stages of life in this era, he had acquired one habit associated with those who had. Chris was becoming increasingly susceptible to the enticements of the past. Cybil's mention of Daniel Foster sent his mind wandering down the long road that had brought him here.
His mind traveled back eight decades to when he had first arrived in Washington, D.C. Chris Cane was a successful businessman who parlayed his triumph in the private sector to a seat in the senate. The fiscal affairs of the United States were in a shambles, and the voters wanted someone with common sense to straighten it out. On this particular remembered afternoon, the senator from Illinois returned to his office with a considerable headache. Roger Rainer, his political advisor, was waiting for him there.
"You look like hell," Rainer said.
"I'm surprised I look that good. Do you believe that those jackasses on the budget committee want to spend five hundred million dollars on a museum dedicated to the first moon landing? It was certainly a monumental event, but we're running a deficit, for god's sake. I suppose the only reason someone hasn't suggested building a museum dedicated to the Three Stooges is that the Capitol Building already serves that purpose."
"Don't tell me. Senator Green wants it for his district. And he'll get the votes needed for it, because everyone on the committee owes him a favor for something, since the man's been here since Lincoln was president."
"Speaking of Lincoln," said Senator Cane, "I believe he once remarked that there were too many pigs and not enough teats. No wonder we're always in the red. Well, I'm not going along with this."
"You've only been a senator for six months. Do you think it's wise to piss off one of the most important members of the Democratic Party? Everyone has his or her own agenda, boss. You just have to wait until you've been here a while to start taking care of the items on your own."

"If I'm the boss, why are you always telling me what to do?" Chris asked with a grin.
"That's my job. I focus on your political survival. And it's a good thing that one of us does."
"I came here to do the right thing."
"And I'm sure you will. But you have to build up some seniority first."
The senator gave him an exasperated look.
"I just want to have a real debate about a meaningful subject. For instance, why doesn't anyone
ever mention the people who are paying the illegal immigrants? Aren't they the reason the workers are coming here?"
"That would be a new approach to the issue. Okay, senator, since you want to be a radical, I have something earth shattering you can do right away."
"What are you talking about?"
"You can meet with John Roster. He's here to see you."
Chris looked at Rainer with a blank expression.
"Don't you remember? We talked about him last week. He was hired by the president as an
efficiency expert."
"Oh, right, he left the administration to spend more time with his family."
"His only family is a cocker spaniel."
"Dogs are people, too," Chris responded with a smile.
"He wants to reinvent the government. Roster's been going all the over the country trying to
drum up support for his plan."
"Why should I see him? I'm sure you explained that to me before, but I've got a lot on my mind
these days, so explain it again."
"Because you're a man of the people. You want to hear all points of view, even if Roster's seems
to be as far out as you can go. Besides, you look like you could use a good laugh." "Bring him in."