you are already overwhelming. You don’t need to make them worse by having a has–been for a manager.”
“You told me directly that you believed that I am naive and unrealistic,” Alex said.
“So you were listening after all.”
“I told you I was.”
“Good for you.”
“Now, I would like for you to listen to me. You’re afraid of winning, Mr. Dominici. You really are. You have created a cocoon to live in, a cocoon with walls and a roof constructed of bitterness, resting on a foundation of cynicism. Winning would make you rid yourself of all that crap. You want to cling to it all because you can’t imagine how to live without it. That’s sad. The first time I met you I thought that it was impossible that anyone could be so cynical, but you are. You really are.”
“When I was your age, I was hopeful. Now I’m pessimistic.”
“Are you pessimistic about our country?”
“No. I have no doubts about our country. We will continue to be the greatest nation in the history of the world. I’m pessimistic about our political process. We have got to do better.”
“Then help me do better. What do you have to lose? Your bitterness? Your cynical view? Why would you miss that crap? If, as you say, I’m doomed to lose this race anyway, how can it be worse if you’re on board? Will you at least think about it?”
“Yes. I’ll think about it, but that’s all I’ll agree to do right now.”
By late afternoon of day eighteen, Alex had lost all hope. He hadn’t heard from Dominici, but he hadn’t called Dominici either. He would try to talk with him today, and if Dominici refused to manage his campaign, Alex would throw in the towel and return to the FBI to beg for his job back.
As he approached Dominici’s driveway, he noticed a large panel truck and several other cars parked there. He could see Dominici clearer as he approached the drive. He was also able to see an old–fashioned giant campaign banner hung across the front of Dominici’s small wood frame house, “Alejandro Perez, Jr., for U.S. Congress — Integrity and Honesty — A True Representative for the People of District 3.”
Dominici, clean shaven and wearing a business suit and tie, was hardly recognizable. It appeared that he was giving an interview to several reporters, including a television news crew from a Gainesville TV station. The reporters were clearly interested. Alex stopped his car in the driveway to sit quietly from a distance and just observe. It was obvious that Dominici had set up a full–fledged news conference.
“So, Mr. Dominici, you are back in Florida democratic politics?”one reporter asked.
“I am managing Alejandro Perez’s campaign for the U.S. Congressman’s seat in this district,” Dominici said, succinctly. “Mr. Perez stands for ethics in government, fiscal responsibility, and he stands proudly on a platform of dignity for all. He respects the rights of all citizens—the religious and the atheist, the farmer and the farm worker, the business owner and the employee, the retiree and the young family, gay and straight, rich and poor.”
“Sounds as if Mr. Perez is planning to tell everyone what they wish to hear,” another reporter said, signaling that if Dominici was considering plans for his candidate to become the replacement messiah, he would face an uphill battle.
“My candidate, the next U.S. Congressman from this district, Alejandro Perez, Jr., will represent the people of this district. That will be a welcomed change,” Dominici said.
“What about Jennings?” a reporter asked. “Is he not the presumed democratic candidate, the frontrunner, the heavy favorite, chosen by the democrats? Why don’t you just go along with the previously chosen democratic candidate? You’re not exacting revenge for the past, are you?”
“Mr. Perez is proud to be a democrat, he presumes nothing, but he plans to be the next member of congress from this district. We have nothing against the other