The Governor's Mansion

On a brisk autumn morning, the office of Schranke and Coates Architects, the most in-demand residential design firm in the Cincinnati Tri-State, was alight with activity. Two of their junior architects, Max and Hank, were sitting at their computers in the open-concept space.

"Max, I can't wait until the weekend," Hank commented.

"It's only Tuesday!" Max reminded him. "We're barely into the week. Why are you focused on the weekend already, bro?"

"It's a short week, remember? Thanksgiving is this Thursday, and then Colin and I are heading up to Columbus on Saturday."

"Oh, that's cool. What's in Columbus?"

Hank looked up from his computer, shocked. "C'mon, Max...you don't know?"

"What?"

"The Big Game."

"The...what?"

"You know. Ohio State and Michigan, the biggest college football rivalry ever?"

"Oh, shit. I don't even know how I forgot. I mean, I even got my degree from Ohio State. That's what I get for showing up way too early this morning."

"You need to stop sweating the small stuff. Look, I have an extra ticket to the game. I'm sure you need the break. Do you wanna join us?"

"Thanks, but I'm not trying to be the third wheel."

"It's fine. I'm sure Colin won't mind."

"Truly, truly, Hank, I appreciate it, but Theo's got a gala to attend over the weekend, you know, schmoozing and all. I have to be there to support him."

"Oh, that's right, Theo is getting ready to run for mayor."

"Yeah. This would be such a huge step for his career if he gets elected. But it'll also take up so much of his time. I want to be there for him, but I'm working so hard to gain prestige here. I'm afraid we'll never see each other. I suppose we'll figure out how to make things work."

"That's a lot, bro, but I'm sure it'll all work out. Just stop working so hard."

"But I..."

"Guess what, boys?" the senior architect, Jerrilyn, interjected. She stood behind them with a padded black folder.

The men looked up at her.

"We've been commissioned to draft the design for the new governor's mansion."

"Oh, that's great news!" Max responded.

"Yes, and of course, they want the best eyes on this project. So, I've discussed it with the other seniors, and it was important to make sure we gave it to the most talented junior architect at the firm."

Max and Hank nodded.

"So, it's yours." She handed the folder to Hank.

"You're so close to a promotion to senior architect, Hank. Knock this one out of the park, and that promotion's yours."

"Thank you, Jerrilyn! I won't let you down."

"I know you won't. I believe in you."

Once she walked away, Max took a deep breath and said, "Congratulations, Hank!"

"Thanks, bro. I know how badly you wanted this, so I can understand if you're pissed."

"Eh, I suppose it happens, but I'm happy for you."

"I appreciate it."

"So, I guess that now you're on this project, you'll have to call Colin and tell him your weekend plans are totally shot."

Hank laughed, then threw the folder in a pile of papers on his desk. "You're funny, Max. The most I'm gonna do this week is open the folder and scan the abstract. This is the last day I'm working this week."

"Really?"

"Yep. I'm gonna debate my crazy uncle at the dinner table on Thanksgiving as we do every year, Colin and I are gonna scream our heads off rooting for the Bucks on Saturday, and then I'll take a look at the project when I get back next Tuesday."

"Tuesday? The governor's mansion is a huge deal. You can't be serious."

"Deadass. Max, if you work yourself to death, all they're gonna do is replace you. So you might as well relax, do just enough, and enjoy your life."

***

"That's one thing I never learned how to do, Maxie...I've never figured out how to tie a tie," Theo admitted as he looked in the mirror. He was wearing a navy blue power suit with matching shoes, along with a white dress shirt and a blue and white patterned tie, which was loose around the collar.

"I've got it, Tee." Max walked over to him and tied his tie. "You look perfect. And I'm sure you'll hit it off with these lobbyists and potential donors. They won't be able to resist your charm."

"We'll see. If they see even half of what you see in me, I'm golden."

"I'm sure they will." Max kissed him on the cheek, then buttoned up the top button on his suit jacket, which was grey along with matching pants and shoes. He also donned a white shirt and a light blue tie.

Theo turned around to look at his husband. "It seems that something is bothering you. What's wrong?"

"Nothing. I'm fine."

"We've been together for twelve years, been married for seven. I know better than that."

Max took a deep breath. "I don't wanna take away from tonight, since it's so vital to your success in next year's election."

"But Maxie, you're much more important to me than some big-money donors. What's going on?"

"Well...the firm got the design contract for the governor's mansion."

"Oh, that's great!"

"Yeah, but then they gave the project to Hank."

"Ooh, I'm sorry. I know you've been working so hard to get a high-profile project like that."

"And not only that, Jerrilyn told him he's in line to be promoted to senior architect."

"Wow, dear, that's rough."

Max shook his head. "I mean, Hank and I are great friends, but c'mon!" He then began ranting. "When they ask, 'Working hard or hardly working?' he's always 'hardly working.' I'm always the first to show up and the last to leave. He strolls in at nine and he may or may not be seen past three. It's so not fair! This is bullshit."

"I'm sorry. I know you made such an effort to be placed on the best projects and you've been eyeing that senior architect promotion for the longest. But things will get better."

"I hope so, but I doubt it'll be at Schranke and Coates. Do you know what the worst thing is? Hank took off work Wednesday and Monday in addition to the Thanksgiving holiday, and he won't be in until Tuesday. He's not taking any of this seriously. If it had been me, I would've already put hours into it."

"Look, Maxie, you can't worry about that. They chose him. They made their bed, so they get to lie in it."

***

It was the Monday morning after Thanksgiving weekend. Max arrived at the office, located on Vine Street between 12th Street and Central Parkway in Cincinnati's gentrified Over the Rhine neighborhood. He scanned his keycard and trudged inside, making it to his desk and slumping in his chair. He looked around and noticed that no one else had made it. He reached into his work bag and brought out his laptop. Starting it up, he noticed that it displayed "5:56 AM."

"Jesus, it's early," he mumbled to himself.

As he proceeded to draw designs on his computer for a much smaller project he had been assigned, his eyes wandered over to the plush black folder sitting on Hank's desk.

"He should be here," Max quietly said to himself while training his eyes back onto his AutoCAD design program on his laptop.

A few minutes later, he looked again at the folder, which kept calling to him. He stopped and grabbed the folder, bringing it back over to his desk. He opened it up and took a look at the project brief. It gave specific asks, such as secured doors, a large dining space, a ballroom, two kitchens - one for daily use and the other for catering, and at least six bedrooms. A yellow sticky note was affixed to the brief written in pencil that called out specific security enhancements, such as reinforced walls for tornado protection, a lightning protection system, fancy landscaping, and a perimeter security system. These instructions were also included in the text, but the governor's office wanted to ensure these were priorities.

"I could do this so much better than Hank. And Jerrilyn and the partners will see that. He focuses on appearances and not practicality. Too much work. I'm gonna teach these bastards a lesson. Should've picked me. Hope those days off were worth it, Hank."

Max opened his desk drawer and took out a number two pencil. He then proceeded to thoroughly erase "lightning protection system" from the sticky note.

"Hank...if you miss this detail, it's your fault." Max then closed the folder and placed it back on Hank's desk. He sat back in his ergonomic office chair, leaned back, and smiled.

***

The sun shone brightly as Max and Theo were milling about among the dignitaries at Governor Kate Winslow's housewarming party, held in the manicured back garden of the newly-built governor's mansion in Columbus, Ohio. It was a warm June day, and the weather was perfect for celebration.

"Theo Collins, I know I'm not the first one to say this to you, but congratulations!"

"Thank you, Madam Governor."

"Oh no no, Theo, call me Kate."

"Okay...thank you, Kate."

"I've seen what you've done with the city of Cincinnati since you got started in January. You've already made your mark, improving public transportation. It's amazing how you've been able to get the city council on board with expanding streetcar access into surrounding neighborhoods."

"Yes, and I'm happy to say that we've received some rather large grants that will pay for the project."

"For sure."

"On another note, I'll have to say that your mansion is absolutely marvelous!"

"Thank you, Theo. It's a beauty, I'd say. Though it's not mine, it belongs to the great state of Ohio." She then turned to Max. "Max, I understand that your firm was the architect for the mansion. You all did an amazing job. Were you personally involved in drawing up the plans?"

Max responded, "No, I wasn't on that project, though I have worked on other great projects. My friend, Hank Bolton, was the planner."

The governor grinned. "Oh, that's great. Please let Hank know how thankful we are for his wonderful designs. I would love to reach out to him directly. I have quite a few friends who are dying to have him design their next homes."

"I'll be more than happy to get you in touch with him," he replied with a polite smile. "Please excuse me."

Max walked inside the mansion and took in the large ballroom, which was Art Deco-inspired with a vaulted ceiling. "I knew it...all aesthetics, no substance."

"Hi, may I help you find something?" a staff member asked, bringing Max back into the moment.

"Uh, where is the restroom?"

"Oh, just make a right here down this hallway, and it's the first door to your left."

"Thank you."

As he headed towards the restroom, he heard loud rumbling.

"That's strange," Max said to himself.

He then made it to the restroom, locked the door, and looked around as he began to relieve himself. He was surrounded by gold-trimmed plumbing and accessories.

"Aesthetics...all aesthetics."

Suddenly, for Max, all became dark and silent...

***

"Happy Monday!" Jerrilyn greeted Hank in the office.

"Sure, happy Monday," Hank responded somberly.

"I take it you've heard what happened to Max."

"Yeah...yeah of course. I...I can't believe it. Some huge storm rolled in during a party the governor was having up in Columbus over the weekend, and Max happened to be there since his husband's our mayor. Lightning hit the building and struck him. He was the only one who got hit. Just a crazy, freak thing. Can't believe he's gone. Just like that."

"Shocking, isn't it?"

Hank nodded, but was otherwise quiet.

"The governor's office is saying that the lightning protection system they asked for was missing from the building. This morning, I reviewed the plans you drew up, and it wasn't in there. But according to their brief, they asked for it."

"Uh, I didn't see it. I guess I missed it..."

"Well, we're all human, these things happen. It doesn't all fall on you. This should've been noticed by engineering or the construction manager. Our lawyers are top-notch, so it's fine, don't worry about it. It's just something to watch out for on the next project."

"Yeah, sure."

"Besides, despite this, the governor herself is very impressed with our work, and she says she wants to tap you for some future projects."

"Oh...that's great."

"It is. You should feel proud. So anyway, I wanted to talk to you because we're going to go ahead and post for a new junior architect position. I'll need you to sign off since you're one of the senior architects."

Hank took a deep breath. "I'll email you with my approval right after we're done here."

"Sounds good. The job posting will be up on Workday this afternoon, and HR will get it posted to LinkedIn and Indeed. Be sure to share it with your networks."

"Okay, thanks for letting me know."

Once Jerrilyn walked away, Hank sat in his chair, silently staring at Max's desk, now empty.