Claire Gulliver #02 - Washington Weirdos (12 page)

When she returned to the living room, Jack was just hanging up the phone.

“A slight change of plans.”

“Well that’s a surprise.” She laughed. “When have we ever gotten together without a change of plans?”

“You’re right. It’s becoming a pattern. After dinner I have to go into the office. I want to check on the investigation of Carol Daley. Charlie will come in to pick you up, instead of me driving you home. Okay?”

“Hah, you’re afraid to show up at the Lickmans’ door with me in my bedraggled state.”

He burst into laughter. “That too! It will be better for you to explain it.”

“Well, my clothes will take a few more minutes. Are we in a hurry?”

“No. No problem. We’re going to a place I heard about in Georgetown. I thought it sounded good and I already have reservations.”

Claire looked at him seriously. “By the way, Jack, Marian didn’t really want to advertise her relationship with Carol. She’s not too keen on Neil knowing her business.”

Then she added, “You know, he looks very familiar to me but I don’t know why.”

Jack shrugged. “He’s only been on the cover of every news magazine published during the past year. He probably looks familiar to half the population of this country. I wouldn’t let Marian’s opinion of him color your thoughts. There may be some office politics in the mix there.”

Claire shook her head. “You’re right. I probably have seen his picture and that’s why I think I recognized him.”

“Yeah, and sometimes first impressions aren’t all that accurate. Let’s not forget our first meeting.”

She had to laugh remembering the tangled mess they made with the luggage on the stairs in the hotel in London. With his nasty comments about her ancestors ringing in her ears, she thought he was the rudest man she had ever met. Who would have guessed they would end up friends?

“You’re right. You never, ever, ever know.”

Tuffy’s fierce barking turned to excited tail wagging as soon as Claire stepped through the door. She stooped to pet him when she heard MiMi call, “Claire, we’re in here if you feel like joining us.”

She followed the voice and found MiMi and David in their customary places in the cozy parlor having a nightcap.

“Did you have a good time? Oh, I hope you didn’t get caught in that awful storm?”

“Oh, my gosh. I couldn’t believe it. I was scared to death. And I understand you have these storms frequently during the summer. How do you cope?” She nodded at David’s raised eyebrows and he went to pour her a glass of wine.

“You learn, my dear. And you make sure you don’t get caught out in the open, because lightning can be deadly.”

Claire believed it. “We took shelter in the Lincoln Memorial along with a few hundred other people. We were drenched. But we did get to the Vietnam and Korean War Memorials before the storm broke.”

“Oh good! Aren’t they awesome? Every time I go I’m so moved by the experience.”

A quiet fell in the room, then David remembered. “Oh, Claire, Suzanne sent another itinerary for you. I left it on the hall table. I think she must have always wanted to be a tour director. She just loves making arrangements for you to see the city.”

Claire laughed as she got up, shaking her head at Tuffy, who also sat up in case she was heading outside, and went to get the envelope with the itinerary.

“So, what’s on for tomorrow?” Tuffy had resumed his favorite place at MiMi’s feet, his chin on her foot.

“Another full day: morning at the Museum of American History, lunch with Doug, afternoon visit to the Capital, and finally, home with David and Charlie.

“This is very nice of you to take such good care of me. I know, I know.” She waved her hand. “It’s no trouble. But I’m sure it is. And then tonight Charlie had to come back into the city to get me because Jack had a change of plans. I just want to say I really appreciate all that you’re doing. But really, I don’t have to do all these things. I could just hang out here with MiMi, and the girls, and I’d be happy.”

“Claire, we want to do this. Charlie gets paid to do these things. It’s his job and he’s good at it. And you heard David say how much fun Suzanne is having arranging your schedule. So don’t worry about being a burden. We like you. We’re grateful to you. We are happy doing things that you appreciate. Let us, okay?”

Claire stared at her a moment and then nodded. MiMi meant every word. The least she could do is be a gracious recipient of their favors.

To: Mrs. Millicent Gulliver

124 13th Avenue

San Francisco, CA 94119

Dear Mom,

Guess where I am? They moved this whole post office into the museum, so I can send this postcard from here. Having a great time. Got caught in a terrible thunder and lightning storm yesterday, but otherwise weather is great. I’m staying with the Lickmans and will tell you all when I get home.

Love,
Claire

“Doug, you’re so nice to take me to lunch. Did Suzanne twist your arm?” Claire was happy to see him again. And seeing his conservative business attire, she was especially glad she had run her dress through the washer and dryer before she went to bed last night so she could wear it again today. It was made out of some wonder material that promised to take rough treatment from travel, and so far it had proven to be worth the extra money it cost. She wasn’t sure about her shoes. They were a little stiff from the soaking yesterday. But after wearing them for a while they seemed to be loosening up. She realized she had not packed the right clothes. She thought she’d be spending most of her time in tourist places on her own and could wear slacks or casual skirts and walking shoes. But yesterday’s dinner with Jack and, now again today, lunch with Doug, meant a dress was more appropriate.

“Not at all. I’m delighted Suzanne could find time for me on your busy schedule. She’s tough, you know. She wouldn’t put me on the schedule without me ponying up.”Claire had fallen into step with him as they moved out the door of the Museum into the Mall.

“So I offered up a visit to the White House. If you’re game, of course.”

She jerked to attention. “The White House? We’re going to the White House?”

He nodded. “If you’d like.”

“Like? Of course I’d like to see it, but...I mean, do we have time? Suzanne has me booked solid and I thought the White House Tour takes hours of waiting in line.”

He grinned, obviously enjoying her reaction. “It does, unless you know the right people.”

“You? You’re the right people?”

He nodded smugly.

“You have connections in the White House?”

He nodded. “It sometimes comes in handy.”

Claire felt her mouth gaping.

“Have you met with the President? Do you know the Cabinet?” she asked eagerly.

He nodded. “On occasion I have met with them. But, to be honest, I’m a very minor player, so don’t think I’m more important than I am. It’s just that with my position as Special Assistant to the Secretary of State, I find myself doing many different things and some come to the attention of the movers and shakers.”

Claire thought about this as they moved across the large grass circle, called the Ellipse, toward the White House. “But I thought you were attached to the Embassy in London. Actually, I thought you lived there.”

He shook his head. “I live here.”

She looked at him with speculation in her eyes. “So why did you get involved in my situation? Surely they didn’t send you over there just for that?”

He shook his head. “I was there on another matter when MiMi Lickman called my boss. She wanted some special attention for the person who had saved their airliner. And when MiMi wants special attention, she gets it. She’s an old time power around here, and no one wants to be the one to let her down. So, I was sent to your rescue. Although it really wasn’t a rescue. You seemed to be doing fine.”

She looked at him dubiously. “I didn’t feel fine. I really did appreciate your support. I thought you were speaking for the entire U.S. Government and I guess I wasn’t far off, was I?”

They left the path on the Ellipse and started down Executive Avenue whose half circle enclosed the front of the White House. Claire could now see the endless stream of people lined up along the front of the fence waiting for their chance to tour the White House. She felt a spasm of guilt at bypassing the line, but Doug didn’t even falter. He led her to a gate at the side and they went through a thorough security check. After the guards used their wands and the dogs, which were trained to detect explosives, finished their inspection, their names were found on the list so they were admitted.

She felt like a bumpkin, head swiveling, trying to see everything. She needed to remember everything, so she could tell her mother and Mrs. B all about this visit.

Doug’s friend in the Secret Services, Pete Marley, met them inside. He explained that one of the duties of the Secret Service was to conduct the tours of the White House and how all the agents rotated through the assignment.

“It’s good for us. Keeps us in touch with the people, so to speak. And once in a while someone wants a special favor like my friend, Doug, here. How could I refuse when he said he was trying to make an impression on a special lady?” He winked at Claire. “I hope you’re duly impressed.”

Claire felt a little embarrassed, sure Pete misunderstood. But not wanting to make an issue of it, she just nodded and followed Pete as he deftly escorted them through the public rooms open that day. He was a font of information, and he managed to have them entering and leaving rooms in between the large tours of sightseers filling the downstairs area.

“When a function is scheduled the State Dining Room isn’t open for the tours. Did you see that special on PBS a few years back about the chef and the State dinners he prepares? A State dinner is really a big production. Luckily nothing is planned tonight, so you can see the room; it’s the next best thing to be invited to a dinner.”

Claire couldn’t help feeling awed by what she was seeing. “I keep expecting to see the cast members of
West Wing
walking through. I’m a big fan. I thought they should have run for office last election. I bet they would have won hands down.” She grinned at Doug and Pete’s horrified looks. “Oh come on, don’t you think the President could use a team of ace scriptwriters. It would certainly improve his ratings.”

They had to laugh at that.

A trio of businessmen passed them, one nodded to Doug.

“So who are all these other people?” Claire whispered.

“Well, remember the White House is a big office building. Lots of business is conducted here each day. If you have business here you’re likely to be on this floor either coming or going.”

“It’s so much bigger than it looks from the outside.” Claire couldn’t believe how grand it was. She felt a swelling of pride. This belonged to her. She was part owner, and it really was an appropriate symbol of the power of the United States.

“Well, these are the only rooms available today,” Pete explained. “If you want to see the family quarters, you’ll have to wangle an invitation from the family. And, of course, the West Wing is off limits when the President is in residence, unless you are meeting with him. I can’t arrange that.” He looked questioning at Doug. “And I don’t think Doug has the clout?”

Doug shook his head. “Sorry, as I said, I’m only a very minor player.”

“Well, this was wonderful, truly. I didn’t expect to see it and I guess I didn’t realize how much I wanted to, until Doug mentioned the possibility. Thank you both so much.”

Pete shook hands with each of them. Then he watched them exit through the same door they entered.

Doug’s hand on Claire’s back guided her towards the gate and then around the side of the White House to Pennsylvania Avenue. “There’s an old saloon down this way a couple of blocks that has wonderful hamburgers. I thought we’d go there for lunch.”

Claire glanced at her watch, still getting a thrill when she glimpsed it. It was already one o’clock. “I’m starved. Do you think I’ll be able to make my appointment at 2:30 at the Longworth House Office Building?”

“No problem. It’s only a short cab ride away just across from the Capital. Actually, it would be a good walk after lunch, but not in this heat.”

“Thank goodness I won’t have to walk; I’m feeling a little wilted already.”

He laughed. “Well, Washington summers require some getting used to.”

He ushered her into the saloon. It wasn’t at all the dingy, dark old western saloon Claire had expected. The dark Victorian interior was filled with etched glass panels, mahogany wood and red velvet upholstery in big booths. It was elegant and cool. Claire was happy at Doug’s choice of restaurants even before seeing the menu selections.

“I’m going with the burger. And a coke,” she told the waiter.

“Me too! But make mine with cheddar and bacon.”