Tad Tucker arrived in a black Suburban, parked directly in front of the office, and left it running. He was accompanied by the same two polo-shirted GWGW assistants, Christopher and Matt, who had first appeared with Regina. She was already on campus when they arrived, waiting on the steps in a bright pink skirt suit and holding a bucket-sized Styrofoam cup of sweet tea.

Marianne kept the storm door propped open so she could watch from her desk. She’d thought—she’d hoped—that the incipient tropical storm, which was in fact headed in their very direction, would have been enough to keep Tad Tucker away from campus and focused on more pressing matters. Wouldn’t miss it! he’d texted them all last night. See you around 1:00. Sophie had sent a text—Lots of cancellations here—you?—and Marianne had considered canceling classes, rescheduling the whole session, but Regina, ever the optimist, encouraged her to wait and see.

“Representative Tucker,” Regina said, handing him the tea as he came up the steps. “So good to have you on campus.”

He took a long sip through the straw before answering her. “Good to be here,” he said, clapping Regina on the shoulder. Gray-blue smoke clouded their ankles. Marianne peered out the door and into the cavernous Suburban—no Ruth, she was relieved to see. No Darryl. “Nice spot, but I was glad to have Chris and Matt for directions. You don’t have much of a sign.”

“Regina? Could you please close the door?” Marianne asked. The office was filling with Tad Tucker’s exhaust.

“Sorry ’bout that,” said Tad Tucker. He tossed his keys to Chris, pointed to a nearby spot where he could park, and opened the door, which Marianne realized, for the first time, was a smaller, nonstandard size. He had to duck to fit inside. “So you must be one of the founders of this fine institution.”

“Guilty as charged,” Marianne said. “You know, with your penchant for alliteration, I’m surprised you’re not a poet.”

“My penchant for what, honey?”

“Oh, Marianne is one of our poets,” Regina said. “You know how they are! Always trying to swell their ranks!”

“I see you’ve got protesters across the street. Not too many, though,” he added, peering through the blinds.

“I imagine there will be more later,” Regina assured him. “It’s early.”

“All right,” he said, taking one last look. “Let’s get this show on the road.”