Monday, December 10, 2007
Inevitability. Waning
Aide: He's gaining. Some polls have him at a ten point lead in Iowa. That's a 25 point erosion in just the last month, and now clears the margin of error.
Hillary: I don't understand. We were running solidly for the last six months. What changed?
Aide: um. Nothing. Apparently that's the issue. Focus groups had us keeping you aloof and general. The more you stayed a symbolic blank slate, the more they liked you.
Hillary: So what's the problem?
Aide Well, it seems that at some point, people are looking for genuine. They want honesty, intelligence, and straightforward answers and discussion. It looks like Obama's been riding a positive wave with this strategy.
Hillary: But what about the focus groups? We tested honest and straightforward, and it tested horribly.
Aide: Uh, yes and no. We tested YOU attempting honest and straightforward. But the focus groups never bought it. Apparently genuine is more than a conversational style. And quite frankly, you made them very uncomfortable.
Hillary: So you're saying I can't stay vague symbolic, and I can't pull off honesty well enough to compete with actual honesty. So where does that leave me?
Aide: Um. well. How do feel about running for President of the Senate?
Hillary: .....
Monday, December 03, 2007
The Deaths Were Unexpected
They hadn't had a party in such a long time. So when the Deaths arrived, it was a singular embarrassment. Edna was mortified. Who invited them, she hissed. She yanked Harvey from his cigars and into the living room. Look at them, she exclaimed. How did they get in here? Harvey looked over at Mr and Mrs Death, swore he did not let them in. Edna shook her finger under his nose, and with sharp voice insisted he must have. They're always invited, she chided. They have to be. He shook his head again no. Well if you didn't invite them, who-. Edna froze. Harvey always was a little dim, but when he saw the fear in her eyes, he knew it too.
When they reached Alice's room, they could already hear voices. The Deaths were there, sitting on the bed, talking to her. Harvey puffed his chest, pulled on his belt and demanded they leave. It's ok, Daddy, Alice whispered. Mrs. Death was holding her hand, just below the IV. Alice honey, Edna pleaded. They aren't supposed to be here. You aren't supposed to talk to them. Alice tried to say something, but she had to catch her breath. After a while, she spoke. I want to talk to them, she whispered. Edna felt Harvey's hand clasp hers. They're supposed to be here now, Alice said. I invited them.
Edna and Harvey each kissed Alice. Mrs. Death told Edna she thought it was a wonderful party. Harvey closed the door behind them. They stood silently in the hall, until the conversation was too quiet to hear, and wept.
