A Private RP between Michael and Ted
Several bundles of gray clouds littered the sky above the town of Bullworth. The weather itself had been recurring light rain throughout the afternoon; a typical New England day. It was a bit after 3 o'clock, so the brief rush of select students heading home had already died down. However, this didn't prevent the few who owned cars from dispresing across town to enjoy the benefits of entitlement.
In the unfinished, mid-renovated office sticking out among other buildings in the town’s commercial area sat Rep. Bill Huffman. He had his chair turned away from his desk and was glancing outside the window behind his desk. While visibly calm, he was talking away on his office phone with a close colleague at this hour.
“Bill, I’m not familiar with the logic here. You have roughly 8 year-” the person on the other line tried to argue.
“Nine, Robert.” Bill quickly corrected.
“Exactly, 9 years in Congress and you actually think that you’ll be able to bypass the dozens of partisan hacks that also sat in on that meeting with us, and convince the President to support this bill?” Robert asked.
“I mean for him to choose it. Have you even read the draft yet?”
“Yes, in fact I’m still reading it now,” Bill could hear him flipping a page, “You know what comes to mind: too extreme.”
“Are you serious?” Bill asked, “Do I have to remind you of your humble roots? I thought you of all people would support this kind of writing?”
“I’m not saying what I think, Bill, I’m telling you what they’ll think,” Robert explained, “It would be too much of an ask from them, especially with the election only being a few months away. It’ll feel like they’re giving into every one of our demands. Not only that but they won’t risk losing over an issue as important as education.”
“Robert, you yourself ran on education reform and we both know the Advanced Student Achievement Act is due for reauthorization next year-” Bill attempted to tell him how it could all play into a bigger picture.
“Don’t preach to me, Bill!” Robert cut-in before he could continue, “I know my priorities and the needs of my constituents as well as you do. Education remains a very important issue to me but people are going to see this as us trying to push our weight."
“Then help me draw up another draft, you can add your ideas to the table and get something that can make it to the floor.” Bill set forth more of an offer now to convince him otherwise.
Robert only sighed on the other end, “I can’t co-sponsor something that doesn’t even exist yet. You’ll just have to give me a few days to think it over.”
“My staff will be in touch, Robert, always a pleasure speaking with you.” Bill said light-heartedly, despite being utterly disappointed internally.
“Yeah, you too Bill. You and Allison take care now.” he said in a much brighter tone before hanging up.
So far, it appeared he wasn’t coming off to a very good start with his latest proposal.