“I like your analogy,” said the President. The guy had an intense stare, in person. Almost hypnotic. Donny had heard the stories, but never believed them until that moment, when he lived it.

“Yeah?” said Donny. “History is always good, because it lets you see some of the other ways things could have gone. Like if King Charles had negotiated an exile.”

“Real leaders don’t give up the fight,” said the President. “Especially not when the other side is breaking the law. As was the case then, and now.”

“Is this the part where you tell me how you’re still the President?” said Donny.

“Sounds like I don’t have to. Just like you don’t have to tell me you’re on their side. Always have been.”

“I don’t have a side,” said Donny.

“Sure you do. It’s just your own side. Lawyers are all alike. Morally malleable and ethically elusive. At least your clients know where they stand. You’re just here because you know they’re about to drive the economy into the ditch and this may be your last chance at a nice fee. Ann tells me they’re going to pay you more just for putting your name on the briefs than you made in all of your cases last year.”

“That’s wrong too. Because I’m doing this the same as I did a lot of those cases. For free.”

“For free?” said the President. “That’s the most retarded thing I’ve ever heard. Sorry.”

“I don’t want your apology. And I don’t want your money,” said Donny. “That’s stolen property, as far as I’m concerned. I just want to see you rot in jail.”

The President scowled at him, the mask finally falling. When he did, you could see the scars more clearly, little white lines on the left side of his face from the bomb blast that had come close to doing the job, but not close enough.

“Donny, maybe this was a bad idea,” said Ann.

“It was a great idea,” said the President, his glare never leaving Donny. “One of your best. It’s perfect. And it’s totally going to work. The fact that he hates me as much as I hate him and his clients and every filthy thing they stand for means this is going to totally get the result we want. Because for the first time in his life this weasel defender of terrorists is going to stand up for what he actually believes in. I don’t need him to understand what it means to believe in the idea of America. Because I know enough patriots are still out there to keep up the fight. And because he’s going to make sure I live to fight another day.”

“Are you, Donny?” said Ann.