"What Did I Miss This Time?"

An excerpt from The Proxy Senator, currently in the revision stage of editing:

With a burp and a soft slap of the crumbs on his enormous belly, Howard sat up and tried to gather composure. He stammered out of the rhetorical gate, but then found what he needed to say.

Lucky for him, however, the thunder-clap of two wooden doors coming open and slamming against the walls caught everyone by surprise.

Standing uncharacteristically tall and happy with himself, their reason for being together under one roof filled the void the doors left behind. His sheepish personal assistant, Adrian, hung back in the hallway.

Mike Adams, their candidate, made his entrance and officially started the staff meeting. Only now would today’s real work on behalf of the campaign would begin. He knew this to be true, as much as he knew that his staff was always working, every hour and every day, to gain him that coveted seat within the hallowed halls of the United States Senate. Therefore, he could not help but grin at the unsightly mess that Howard made, Bobby’s posturing, and Monica’s thinly veiled attempt to maintain control.

“Now tell me, Monica,” Mike said slowly, with his staff hanging on every one of his calculated and considered words. Joel joined Mike in smiling, sensing what was to come better than anyone else. Mike breathed in deeply before continuing his inquiry.

“What did I miss this time?”