Madame President

Of course being elected the first female President of The United States is a big deal, but Sheesh! I can’t get a moment to myself. I’m ecstatic. I literally cannot contain myself. Tears sat in my ducts preparing to fall whether win or lose. I’m just happy they were tears of joy. When I finally managed to get away from everybody I grabbed Rick and snuck him off to the oval office.

 “Ahh,” he said with a slick look on his face. “So you want to ‘break the Oval office in’ on your election day, eh?”

 That’s the reason I married this man. Even in such a prestigious room where I will and past presidents have made decisions for this country, he wants to get busy. I’m sure this room has already been “broke-in” numerous times. Considering that, I need to make a note to have this office thoroughly cleaned once more.

 “No Hun,” I placed my hand on his chest to stop his advancing move towards my neck, “I just a need a few minutes by myself. Could you just stand outside and make sure no one comes in?”

 “Somebody look at this! You get the presidency and already bossing me around!” He yelled in the office with his hands flown up in surrender. I shushed him and we both laughed. He kissed me on the forehead and stepped out the room. I turned around, my hands holding each other and walked around the oval circumference of the office.

You’ve made it, Tiff. You’re here.

 I walked over to the perfectly polished desk that I would occupy for the next 4 or more years. I sat down at the desk and let the leather seat massage my back and bottom.

 “Wonder if this chair is new?” I instantly looked around for a piece of paper. There was none on the desk so I opened the first drawer on the right to see a small notepad and grabbed the gold pen sticking out of the little eagle pen holder on the desk. I jotted down the two notes I made about the cleaning and the chair. I looked back into the drawer to see an unopened envelope that was addressed to the president. I pursed my lips confused about the matter, confused why President Young would leave some of his mail. But since it was here I went ahead and opened it.

 “President Rowe, I congratulate you on your newly rewarded presidency. I know that you will serve the American People and do what is right by them. There will be struggles and know that it will not be an easy task. I wish you nothing but the best being the First Female President to run this Country. God Bless. President Young.”

 I set the paper down as a million questions flew through my mind, but the first was how did he get back in this office? I pushed that question aside because the main mystery is how did he know I was going to be the new President? I picked the paper to read it again and the words began to dissolve and show another message.

“What the hell,” I said aloud.

The message began to read, “Look in the bottom drawer of the desk. There’s a hidden compartment. You will find more instructions there.”

 I just stared at the paper then shook it. Flipped it over then flipped it back, then shook it again. I scratched my head then reached down to bottom drawer. There was nothing there. I felt around the bottom of the wood drawer and even pressed the walls and the drawer handle. I sat back up then reached down to the opposite drawer. I felt around and then came across and little piece of wood that was different colored. I pushed on it since there was no handle and it moved down then back up as if it were pressurized then it lifted up. The piece of wood was about the size of my hand. I looked in to see another piece of paper. I rolled my eyes.

“If you’re reading this, you are looking in the compartment of the desk drawer. Which also means you were curious enough to follow some random instructions from, who, you’re assuming was the previous president? Possibly. Possibly not. But there is something that is meant for you to find. I’m going to give you a series of instructions. You can choose the “A” instructions or you can choose “B”. There will also be consequences for each of your actions.”

I sat back in my chair bewildered at what I was reading. Flabbergasted.

“Not all the consequences will be bad. Matter of fact, some will be good. It will all be a matter of chance. The decision you make between “A” and “B” will certainly make an impact on you, your family, and your new inherited nation. Just like the hard decisions you have to make with being a president, will you now have to make with me. Also, don’t try to find me or find finger prints on this paper. This is a simple situation, if you will, between you and I. Nothing personal on you, President Rowe, all the presidents had to endure this. Why do you think President Nixon resigned? He kept making bad picks.  Why do you think Clinton stayed in so long? He kept picking good. Why do you think Lincoln and Kennedy were assassinated? They ignored me. So the choice is up to you, President Rowe. You seem like an intelligent woman so I’m sure you will make the right decision. In the red room, in the china cabinet, on the 2nd shelf, behind the 5th plate, there is a hidden compartment. You will find more instructions there.”

I set the paper down, and placed my hand on my heart. Dear God, what does this mean?

I walked out of the room to see my husband standing against the wall talking to someone. I quickly grabbed his hands and we walked down the hallway until I saw a door that led to the outside. A guard greeted us and showed us the area where we could stand uninterrupted.

“Keith, there’s- I don’t know about this.”

“What do you mean?” He responded and grabbed my elbows, “This is exactly what you worked for. You’ve wanted this your entire life- what do you mean you don’t know about it? I thought you got all of the unsure- the anxiousness of it all had gone away?”

He had begun talking so fast he wouldn’t let me get a word in, “Keith. I- I’m not saying it isn’t what I want, it’s just something in that office made me feel really uneasy.”

His eyebrows furrowed as he looked over at the guard at the door, “One of those guards say something to you? Cause we’ll nip that right in the bud-”

He was always so protective. I wasn’t sure how to tell him what it was that I read. Or if I should tell him. This might’ve been something I would just have to handle on my own. I wonder if the other presidents did the same. Knowing how prideful men can be I’m sure they didn’t consult with their wife about the dealings in America.

“No,” I began and shook my head a little, “No guard has said anything to me. Everyone has been very nice since the inauguration. I just need a little reassurance is all.”

“Baby, I’m have all the reassurance you’ll ever need. No need to ever feel any type of way about your position. You made it here, you received the votes in the right way. You have a great mind; sense of logic, ethics and morals. You’re over qualified for this job considering who was here before!”

We both chuckled then he brought me close. He rested his chin on the top of my hair. My arms were wrapped tight around his waist. We stood in a shaded area that brought a nice breeze paired with the smell of the fresh blossoms. The precious moment made me forget about the letter for just a moment.

“Now go back in that office and veto some bills!”

We shared a kiss, chuckled, and began to walk back in as I told him that’s not exactly how it works. He went to the left while I went back to the oval office. I could already feel my hands beginning to sweat as I neared the door. The guard opened it for me and closed it as I went back over to the letter.

“The red room, china cabinet, 2nd shelf, 5th plate,” I read aloud as I folded the piece of paper and stuck it down in my jacket pocket.

I still wasn’t completely sure of my way around the house but when I asked someone they were gracious to guide me. Come to find out the room was right downstairs from the Oval room. I walked in to see a few people dusting some sculptures and side tables. I greeted them and they all greeted back as I tried to not look suspicious as I observed the china cabinet.

“Is this locked?” I asked not directing my question to anyone specifically.

One of the gentlemen that was closest to me responded, “No, Madam President. Feel free to open and touch as you’d like. Can I get you anything on the dinnerware? Tea? Small sandwich”

“Oh, no. I just wanted to look. Thank you.”

He smiled at me and turned back around to dusting. Two of the other people had walked out as I took the gravy cup in my hand. I held it up like I was looking at it but I was eyeing the 5th plate on the 2nd shelf.

“Actually, yes, can I have that cup of tea?”

“Right away, Madam President.”

I watched him walk out the room and quickly set the cup down. I assumed the service would be prompt so I quickly opened the other glass door of the cabinet, reached behind the 5th plate and felt along the board until I felt it give. I pushed it a little harder to see it slide over and reveal another letter. I quickly grabbed it and the door closed back. I closed the china doors and took a step back to open the folded paper to read;

So you’re a woman of thrill, risk, danger, uncertainty. Or perhaps you’re just scared and don’t know what to do. Well, I’ll tell you.

If you aren’t, get real familiar with the tariffs going on in Mexico. You’ll have some dealings with them soon. But until then, we need a new VP. That Scott guy doesn’t seem to have the best head on his shoulders.

Take it off. Yes, his head.

I gasped as I reread “yes, his head.” Whoever this is wants me to kill someone. It felt like my vision was tunneling so I hurried and sat down in the wooden chair next to the cabinet. I felt the paper slip from my hand as I rested my head back on the wall. I had closed my eyes and tried to focus on my breathing when I heard the door open.

“Madam Pre-Madam President! Are you okay?” The gentleman said as he quickly set the tray of tea on the table and came to see about me.

“Yeah, I’m okay. Do you have any water?”

He quickly went back to the tray and poured water into a glass and brought it back over to me and kneeled beside me.

“I’ll call for aid-”

“No, “I quickly responded, “That’s not needed.”

There was a silence between us as I sipped my water and he kept his head down as if he were looking at something. It finally hit me that he was probably reading that letter.

“Do you see a piece of paper somewhere?”

“You mean this letter?”

Our eyes locked as he brought the letter up and placed it in my hand. I don’t know if his face changed of if it was me regaining my sight a bit more but he rose up from the ground still looking at me.

“Madam President, do you think you’ll be okay? I’m head of the stewards, Alex, and I have to make sure the VP gets his requested lunch.”

I couldn’t make out if he was surprised? No, he almost seemed smug after reading it. I couldn’t do anything but shake my head yes to him. He gave small nod and began to walk away.

 As his back was to me he spoke out, “Wouldn’t want the VP to lose his head over me on his first day.”