“In a word, yes. Positive. And I cannot think of a better way to start your campaign than to be the man to make that happen.”
“Well, I can try to open some doors for you, but—”
Nick interrupted him. “Mr. President, I don’t need you to open doors, I need you to break them down.”
*****
Two hours passed and Nick waited nervously by a fax machine connected to the number he had given the White House operator. The paper began to move; the whirling sound of a fax being received was music to his ears. The cover sheet emerged with the telltale seal of the President of the United States of America. Four pages surfaced in all, which Nick scooped up, then he said a little prayer and kissed the seal. He brought them immediately over to George Hogan and plunked them down on his desk.
“What’s this?”
“A message from the President of the United States.”
Hogan put on his glasses and looked at the executive order.
“How did you get this?” he asked.
“I helped run his last campaign,” said Nick briskly, hoping to
expedite matters at once. “We help each other out.”
“You got this in two hours? I’ve been doing this shit for twenty years, and I have never seen anything like this.”
“Well, you have to know the right people, Mr. Hogan. So, can
we test?”
“Well, I need to verify this,” Hogan said, holding up the fax. “Trust me, you will.”
“And I have to get with Dr. Shoo.”
“Okay, fine with me,” Nick said. “Now, tell me about your
dying friend.”
Just as he finished telling Nick about his friend running out of time in a Salt Lake City hospital, his assistant walked into the office. “Mr. Hogan, I hate to interrupt, but, believe it or not, the Surgeon General and the Secretary of Health are on the phone for you. They say it’s urgent.”
Hogan looked up at Nick, offering a wry smile.
“Maybe we can help your friend after all,” said Nick.