you’ll see that we’ve got a powerhouse of political possibility gathered here. Just stop and think for a moment: if everyone here joined forces, who could possibly stop us?”
Again, scattered applause broke out over the room.
Lillian continued. “Let me tell you about the woman you came here to meet. As you can see from the brochures we’ve left on just about every table here—Please take one. Take several and hand them out!—Anne Madison is the people’s candidate. All her life, Anne has fought for women’s rights and for the rights of the poor, the endangered, and the ill.
“Anne grew up in Concord and Nantucket, attended Concord Academy, Wellesley, and B.U., where she received her R.N. Her father was a surgeon, and Anne always knew she wanted to work in the health field. She worked at Brigham and Women’s Hospital before marrying and deciding to stay home full-time to take care of her daughter, Tessa, who is now twelve. Anne remained active in the health care field, as a lobbyist, volunteer, and activist. She organized research into the home health field, initiated a program for the public schools to teach students about contraception, AIDS, STDs, and drugs. She’s currently working as an activist to make insurance companies and HMOs more responsible and more personal. She’s on the board of the commission for Better Care for the Elderly. She’s been elected to School Committee twice and has served as a delegate to the Democratic State Convention in ninety-two, ninety-four, ninety-six, and ninety-eight.”
Lillian paused for a sip of water. “We’re here today to ask you to help Anne Madison win the Democratic primary election for the state senate this fall. You are all influential women, and we ask you to use your power in spreading the word about Anne. She’s running against—I can say it right out in this room—a ‘good old boy’ who will be hard to beat because he’s so well known. We implore you for any financial assistance you might be able to give. Television and radio spots and newspaper ads are expensive, and we want to blitz the region. We want to be sure Anne gets elected by a landslide. So please, help us. We’re here, if you have any questions, suggestions, or comments.”
After another round of applause, the questions started.
“They didn’t say anything about her husband,” Donna remarked.
“Why should they?” Kelly asked. “Is he relevant?” She looked at her watch. “Let’s go.”
“So soon?”
Kelly put her flute on a nearby table. “Anne Madison sounds great to me. I’ve heard all I need to, and I don’t want to be here when they discuss fund-raising.”
“Already avoiding the appearance of impropriety?”
“You bet your ass. Besides, I have a ton of things to do.”
They pressed through the crowd, around a bronze statue of what appeared to be a giant Slinky, and out the door.
“Are you seeing Jason today?”
“We’re going Rollerblading. Want to join us?”
Donna groaned. “No, thanks. Will you be in the office tomorrow?”
“I will. I’ve got to clean out my desk and instruct Clara on my cases … she’ll be taking over most of them.”
“I’m going to miss you like crazy,” Donna said.
“We’ll still see each other. Just not every day.”
“Are you excited?”
Kelly smiled. “I can’t wait.”
Tessa’s private phone rang. Even through her headphones, she heard it, and dived for it.
“Princess,” her father said.
“Dad!” Her spirits soared, while a violin string of guilt thrummed inside her heart. Her mother hated her father calling her Princess, insisting that it perpetuated the image of the young female as lazy, helpless, spoiled, and useless.
“What are you doing on this bright sunny day?”
“Well … we went to church.”
“And this afternoon?”
“… Mom’s being videotaped. I don’t know about later.”
“Want to drive out to see Grandpops with me?”
“Yes!” The word jumped out of her
Again, scattered applause broke out over the room.
Lillian continued. “Let me tell you about the woman you came here to meet. As you can see from the brochures we’ve left on just about every table here—Please take one. Take several and hand them out!—Anne Madison is the people’s candidate. All her life, Anne has fought for women’s rights and for the rights of the poor, the endangered, and the ill.
“Anne grew up in Concord and Nantucket, attended Concord Academy, Wellesley, and B.U., where she received her R.N. Her father was a surgeon, and Anne always knew she wanted to work in the health field. She worked at Brigham and Women’s Hospital before marrying and deciding to stay home full-time to take care of her daughter, Tessa, who is now twelve. Anne remained active in the health care field, as a lobbyist, volunteer, and activist. She organized research into the home health field, initiated a program for the public schools to teach students about contraception, AIDS, STDs, and drugs. She’s currently working as an activist to make insurance companies and HMOs more responsible and more personal. She’s on the board of the commission for Better Care for the Elderly. She’s been elected to School Committee twice and has served as a delegate to the Democratic State Convention in ninety-two, ninety-four, ninety-six, and ninety-eight.”
Lillian paused for a sip of water. “We’re here today to ask you to help Anne Madison win the Democratic primary election for the state senate this fall. You are all influential women, and we ask you to use your power in spreading the word about Anne. She’s running against—I can say it right out in this room—a ‘good old boy’ who will be hard to beat because he’s so well known. We implore you for any financial assistance you might be able to give. Television and radio spots and newspaper ads are expensive, and we want to blitz the region. We want to be sure Anne gets elected by a landslide. So please, help us. We’re here, if you have any questions, suggestions, or comments.”
After another round of applause, the questions started.
“They didn’t say anything about her husband,” Donna remarked.
“Why should they?” Kelly asked. “Is he relevant?” She looked at her watch. “Let’s go.”
“So soon?”
Kelly put her flute on a nearby table. “Anne Madison sounds great to me. I’ve heard all I need to, and I don’t want to be here when they discuss fund-raising.”
“Already avoiding the appearance of impropriety?”
“You bet your ass. Besides, I have a ton of things to do.”
They pressed through the crowd, around a bronze statue of what appeared to be a giant Slinky, and out the door.
“Are you seeing Jason today?”
“We’re going Rollerblading. Want to join us?”
Donna groaned. “No, thanks. Will you be in the office tomorrow?”
“I will. I’ve got to clean out my desk and instruct Clara on my cases … she’ll be taking over most of them.”
“I’m going to miss you like crazy,” Donna said.
“We’ll still see each other. Just not every day.”
“Are you excited?”
Kelly smiled. “I can’t wait.”
Tessa’s private phone rang. Even through her headphones, she heard it, and dived for it.
“Princess,” her father said.
“Dad!” Her spirits soared, while a violin string of guilt thrummed inside her heart. Her mother hated her father calling her Princess, insisting that it perpetuated the image of the young female as lazy, helpless, spoiled, and useless.
“What are you doing on this bright sunny day?”
“Well … we went to church.”
“And this afternoon?”
“… Mom’s being videotaped. I don’t know about later.”
“Want to drive out to see Grandpops with me?”
“Yes!” The word jumped out of her
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