Free The Krakow Klub by Philip C. Elrod Page A

to make a
few comments, but he was
ignored by the members of the press who were talking
excitedly among themselves.
    The bartender finally reached up and turned
up the sound so that everyone in the restaurant could
hear the remainder of the press conference .
    At last, the vice president gained some
control and made a few hastily prepared remarks about continuity,
loyalty, and the need for cooperation between the political parties
at this important time.
    All around the dining room, patrons began to
whisper nervously and speculate on what might happen with a new
president in office. The consensus was that things probably would
not change much. Most seemed to think that they couldn’t get much
worse.
    The man at a nearby table raised his glass in
a toast. “Here’s to our future. I thought that crook would never
leave the White House voluntarily. God bless America!”
    Several other patrons joined in; others just sat in stunned silence.
    Julia looked over at John and gave him a
smile that he interpreted to mean that she was
in complete agreement that the current, well, now ex-president was indeed a scoundrel at best.
    “What a momentous day! The president resigned, and I met you. What a stroke of luck
that we happened to be at the museum at the same time. I wanted to
speak to you on the plane but just couldn’t think of anything
profound to say.”
    “Well, John, I must admit that I was rather
preoccupied during that flight, so I might
have just brushed you off. I don’t like idle chat with other
passengers, so, maybe, we were just lucky that you didn’t say
anything.”
    “Let’s get out of here! I want to get out
into that beautiful Key West sunshine.” John called for the bill,
paid, and they left the restaurant quickly as the overly excited
news analysts were now theorizing as to what had happened, why it
had happened, and what would happen next. They rambled on about
precedents, the qualifications of the vice president, and so
on.
    John and Julia exited the restaurant and
walked slowly back toward the museum. The day was now indeed
perfect as he had become acquainted with Julia and that pompous
cretin in the White House had done his duty by resigning.
    They continued to chat and talk about their
lives and careers, although John had to be quite careful to omit
his more colorful and exotic personal history. She seemed to be
quite interested and paid close attention to his every word.
    “Julia, I hope that you won’t think that I'm forward, but I’ve enjoyed today so very much. I’d like to see you again. How about
we exchange phone numbers? I swear that I’ll be a perfect gentleman, and I can even provide you with
some personal references.” He laughed, “However, the ex-president
will not be one of them. I’ve met him personally, and he’s rather forgettable at best. Perhaps
you’d like to contact my first-grade teacher?
Oops! Too late, she went to her well-deserved heavenly reward many
years ago. Same for my boy scout leader. Maybe
you’ll just have to trust me after all.”
    She laughed aloud. “You are quite the
character! I have little time in my life for casual friendships, but I’ll make an exception just this once on
this very auspicious day. Get out your cell phone and enter my
number in your contact list. Then, you can give me yours. I may
just check you out with the FBI and Homeland Security to be on the
safe side.”
    Fortunately , John
thought to himself, she was smiling as she said that .
    They stopped briefly in a
shaded spot to exchange numbers.
    All too soon, they were back at the entrance
of the museum. John thanked her again for a very pleasant afternoon
and opened the door to the employee entrance for her. She went
inside, but turned to smile and wave just before the door shut with
a gentle whoosh.
    Just then, John’s mind cleared, and he remembered that he needed to stop back at
the Bureau of Land Management. He had totally forgotten something
important.
    He rushed back to the