Smartystan

“Another four,” Dr. Strong said, grinning.

“My last four, too,” Goshen replied.

“That’s right. Two terms is enough for anyone who isn’t trying to be a despot.”

The two old friends laughed into their own video chat monitors.

“I’d like to say, though, there’s enough room for the both of us to be on a ticket to the bar,” Goshen remarked.

“I don’t know…I’ve gotta drive,” Dr. Strong declared.

“Let a synth do it.”

“No, I’ve got work and I know you have to deal with a few things. Besides, where can you go without being recognized?”

“I told you…I’ve got this whole skin that transforms my appearance. They’re limited amounts. As far as I can tell, I have one and the other is for the King of Sweden.”

“Look at you…Mr. President,” Dr. Strong replied.

“I know, I know. Hey, if you ever get the chance, you’re invited to the party for this win. Come through this time and don’t make up another excuse. It’s in two weeks and I want you suited and booted in your finest duds!” Goshen exclaimed.

“Roger that, sir,” Dr. Strong said.

“You had to get that doctorate in economics. Tell me what drove you to earn it after we got out….”

“I knew I had to think of some sort of way to convey the notion of being on the side of free markets and individual rights. I said, ‘Hey, why not study the social systems and see which one is best and then explain why for the rest of my life.”

“This republic was built on capitalism.”

“Indeed.”

An assistant motioned to tell President Goshen that he had ten minutes before he would have to get in front of news cameras. He acknowledged her and then returned his attention to his friend.

“They’re just calling me. I’ve got to do a presser to accept. What were we talking…? Oh, yes, we have to get together. You have to come to the ball and wear your dress blues.” They both fell out laughing.

“That’s right. I show up in my evening mess jacket and watch a button burst off and hit someone in the eye!” More uproarious laughter sprang from their throats.

“Seriously, though, I want you to be on my team this go around. You know a hell of a lot more than I when it comes to allocating funds and knowing what programs to keep or kill, you’ve got all of that in your brain housing unit.”

“I appreciate the offer, but I can’t do it. The organization has me all tied up and I’m still writing.”

“You’re still writing?”

“Yes, I’ve got a few left in me.”

“I know you couldn’t really help me out in the first term, but this one could be different. C’mon.”

“I said no.” "No" was a word Goshen seldom heard and it sounded like a gunshot or the slamming of a gavel.

“Okay, okay. You know you’re one of the few people that can turn me down. Everyone around me is always saying ‘Of course, Mr. President.’ ‘Anything you say, Mr. President.’ It’s refreshing to hear an old friend say ‘Go to hell.’”

“That’s the substance of our alliance,” Dr. Strong observed. “As far as the ball though, I’ll rent a tux. I can go.”

“Great. Bring one of those starlets for arm candy.”

“I’ve been striking out with the humans. I’m on my last synthetic being. I swear. I tell that to myself all the time. Then I end up with a synth that’s going to out run me, out clean me and out live me. So I’ll see if I can’t find a young lady with an expiration date rather than a place to charge her.”

Goshen cleared his throat. “I think we’re fortunate. Cerulean and I would welcome whomever you choose to go with you.”

“I know she’s happy. As the first lady for the second time, that’s gotta be exciting for both of you.”

“That’s right. She can work on her initiative to spread the word about private education for the states that haven’t fallen completely into the abyss.”

Dr. Strong looked at the time. He still had a few more minutes with a battle buddy.

“So we’re going to expand the programs that had been started in the beginning of the country-state. We’re working on new ways to implement private roads, private infrastructure, private communications,” Goshen announced.

“I like the sound of that. I just love the idea of a free broadcasting system. I know there are far more pressing issues but this one ranks up there as it is about freedom of expression. This liberty should be protected at all costs. It’s not about swearing on radio or TV and not worrying about fines, it’s about ideas being conveyed that nobody’s ever heard before.”

“Absolutely. The privatization of these institutions will facilitate far greater efforts to offer freedoms in what you instilled in me: ideas, science, education, and the economy.”

Dr. Strong chuckled a bit. It was a warm little laugh that let the president know that those were all great ideas.

“I must say, we’ve come along this far. We can keep fighting. We can keep scrapping. That’s the whole notion behind this state of Delaware being elevated to becoming a nation. Not a governor, mayor, or city councilman could possibly understand the inner workings of liberty. No one knew about individual rights until we started fighting for them with the thought of winning. This state didn’t secede, it succeeded.”

The assistant popped her head in again. Goshen signaled once more.

“Alright, they’re really on me now. Look, I’ll send you an invite and you can decide what you want to do. You seem game right now but I know you. You’d wriggle out of a straitjacket with ease!”

“How well do you know me? You know I’ll be able to use my wits to defeat anything. Salute, Mr. President!”

Goshen leapt to his feet and straightened his tie.

“I’ll catch you when I can,” he said.

“That’s right. President Glenn Goshen... is poised to see another four.”