“Haven’t even told Sal this yet. But I will … . Kelly called last night. Asked if I was free enough of ‘obligations’ to talk to Sam about the future. I said I was plenty free. Sam called me twenty minutes later. Said that Rick Torrie is going to be leaving by the election. They found a lump in Suzy’s breast. So Sam asked if I would consider being Secretary of State.”

Addis’s stomach tightened.

“He said, ‘Sure, we’ve had our differences. And we’ll have plenty more. But if you think you can work with me, let’s give it a try.”

“And you just have to declare your support … .”

“He did ask if we could announce this soon. Before the convention. Said he had other Cabinet changes. Wants to do them all at once—”

“And make sure that Margaret can’t …”

“You know, Nick, I honestly don’t think it’s a good idea for her.”

“What did she offer you, Senator?”

“Damnit, Nick, I’ll never get you to call me Hugh, will I?”

“Not while you’re in office.”

Palmer placed his hands behind the back of the chair.

“Nothing, Nick. Nothing at all. Which was fine with me. But she didn’t even say anything about Vice President. I don’t think she’s put any thought to it yet. Which shows she shouldn’t be doing this.”

“And you told Mumfries?”

“That I was honored by the invitation. That I would have to talk to Shirley about it. That I would let him know tomorrow morning.”

“And you’re thinking …”

“Look at those god-damn baboons down there.”

Palmer threw a handful of peanuts at the television screen.

“They don’t give a god-damn shit if somebody’s husband or wife who makes minimum wage plucking feathers from a carcass gets roasted alive because a fucking supervisor bolts shut a fire door so employees can’t sneak out for a smoke.”

“And you’re thinking …”

“That I’d like to leave the zoo and join the circus.”

“But Mumfries. It’s not like he’d be voting right on this bill.”

“Better to worry about one clown than ninety-nine.”

“Well, then, congratulations, Secretary-designate.”

“Fuck you, Nick,” he said with a laugh.

“And all those differences Mumfries mentioned?”

“One trapeze at a time.”

And don’t forget the mountains of elephant shit. Accepting the China trade accord. Retreating on global warming negotiations. Forcing foreign ministers of Third World countries to adopt austerity budgets in return for loans.

“Good luck, then,” Addis said.

“And I know you mean it.”

“I do.”

There was a knock, and Conditt opened the door. “Excuse me for being the schmuck you pay me to be,” he said, “but you should get back there if you want to keep a loss from turning into a massacre.”

Conditt shut the door.

“You got to love him,” Palmer said. He stood up and grabbed one more handful of peanuts.