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those jerks that pestered me when I was the junior reporter of the
Clarion. You cannot imagine what satisfaction that has given me
particularly when I know that I am earning so much more than they
are. But the real reason I wanted to talk to you is because Bradford
Bronson has asked me to marry him.
She paused for effect and believe me it really did have one.
I know that we ve known each other less than a week and that
he is double my age but his proposal makes a lot of sense. First of
all, he needs a presentable woman to stand by his side at the many
functions that he has to attend. Of course, I already do that as his
Press Liaison Officer but he needs a partner which, as an employee I
cannot be. Secondly, he needs an intelligent woman to be the head
of his household and his hostess for the many functions he must
provide. Thirdly, he is a man and has sexual needs that, if he is to
become the President, can only be satisfied by his wife. In exchange
for this, he offers me anything that money can buy on condition
that I stay married to him to the end of his first term as president.
He does not object to me having outside relationships but they have
to be absolutely discreet because any scandal will nullify the pre-
nuptial agreement and leave me with a pittance.
She stopped and looked at me in her very appealing manner.
Freddie, you are the best friend I have ever had. You are the
only man I have every encountered that gave me help without a
single string attached. I trust you more than anyone I have ever
met. Freddie, please tell me if this would be a mistake. Shall I accept
his proposal or not?
I paused a good while before I replied.
Janine, there are a lot of dangers to accepting this proposal
and equally there are a lot of advantages. The first is that it is very
difficult to sustain a marriage even when both parties are of identical
backgrounds and beliefs. The mayor is of a generation that does
not understand ours. There will be disagreements arising from that
generation gap. The second is that being the wife of the governor
and later of the president will make incredible demands on you as
a hostess and as a person. You will never be able to get irritated or
have an off day because anything you do will reflect upon your
husband. The third problem is that of the money itself. Right now,
he is eager to be generous and to spoil you but as the years roll by
his sexuality will diminish to nothing while yours could even be at
its peak. His inclination to give way to you on matters of money
will dissipate and if it should come to a divorce he will see that
the best lawyers in the country trim your entitlement down to the
bare bones. The advantages are that of course you will be the wife
of the governor: the highest status of any woman in the state and
ultimately the wife of the president, the highest status in the land.
Okay, so what do you recommend Freddie? You will be there
always as my friend. You will help me through the tough times
and advise me in difficult circumstances. Surely we can do this
together?
This is a tough call, Janine. Only you can make it. Few women
get the chance that you have been offered. I could advise you to find
a man of your own age for whom you feel a powerful love and that
whole thing could fizzle out in a few years. That s happened often
enough. It s like marrying into a royal family. You don t make the
rules, you merely follow them.
Freddie, I m asking you for your opinion because I value your
opinion. What shall I do?
Do you think that you can be constant to a man that you do
not love, Janine?
I could be constant to my employer. As his press liaison officer
I believe that I could stay in that employment until retirement.
Surely as a wife I would merely be better paid and have to offer him
certain privileges which a lot of bosses ask of their attractive female
employees?
Well, if that s how you feel, Janine, maybe you should go for
the golden ring.
I wouldn t do it if you told me not to, Freddie.
I can t tell you not to. You are your own woman. If you want to
take the chance, I would not stop you. As your friend I will be there
to help pick up the pieces if you come unstuck.
She reached across the kitchen counter and kissed me full on the
lips for a long time.
Thanks Freddie, you are the best friend a girl could have.
Jeejay and I laid our plans carefully. Several FBI men were sent
to join the job queue for the Caterina. Others lounged about in
the bar. Four motorcycle riders were posted at the entry points to
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