Now It Can Be Told (A New Novel of Political Intrigue by James “Gatemouth” Ellroy)

Dateline: 7/8/09 Washington DC

Patrick giggled as he read the words of praise for the new Lieutenant Governor published on “Room Eight”

“The man…had brought the MTA into the 20th Century and just last year endeavored to bring it into the 21st;….

Today, in a stunning act of audacity, [The Governor] named him as Lieutenant Governor.

Bravo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I understand the Governor’s power to take this action will be subject to a ruling by the Courts, and I’ve no opinion as to the merits of the arguments on either side.

But, as to the merits of the appointment, I am ecstatic.

This is the singular best thing [the Governor]…has done since his assumption of the Governorship. Subject to the appointment’s OK by the Courts, there is only one thing [the Governor] can do to top it, and if he does it, if and when the Courts have given sanction to the [LG] appointment, he will have the gratitude of each and every New Yorker, especially the Democrats.

What can the Governor possibly do to top this excellent appointment?

Resign.”

Gatey’s a smart bastard, thought Patrick, remembering Gatey’s back channel suck-up to Margarita while Gatey’s boss was supporting Judy against her for City Council at the behest of the all-powerful Sheldon. Gatey could always smell the handwriting on the wall.

The Governor has got to be got, thought Patrick, but as long as the alternatives were numb-nuts Malcolm or Sneaky Pete, one couldn’t get there from here. Typically, David had signed his own death warrant and put the gun to his own head. Just as typically, Patrick thought, the bullets were potentially made of rubber.

“Fuck it Patrick,” yelled a familiar voice, “Reading New York political blogs on company time, again. Get a clue boychick, you’re no longer on the Lower East Side.”

“It is Ben Politico's blog, Rahmbo” said Patrick. An idea started playing around in Patrick’s brain.

Dateline 7/9/09 NYC.

Sheldon hung up the phone. He had despised Patrick ever since Patrick’s Commie PR lesbian had beaten Judy for City Council, causing Sheldon over a decade of continuing misery. Still, Sheldon had to admit, re-nomination of the Governor could cost him enough seats to bring the Republicans within fifty votes of a majority. Sheldon shuddered, took another bite of his Hawaiian steak, and called Jonathan.

“Dick’s a mensch” he said, “after all he’s done for the state, maybe it would be nice if something were done for him.”

“Maybe,” thought Jonathan. When Sheldon said “maybe,“ it was like a Papal Bull.

“I got two other votes, Shel.” Where am I supposed to get the fourth, from Ben Polico’s dad?”

No good, thought Sheldon. Politico Sr. was against executions, and an execution was just what Sheldon had in mind. “Do your best, boychick, and keep me posted,” said Sheldon; “Meanwhile, maybe I’ll see what I can do about the pay raise.”

Dateline 9/14/09 Albany

Whoddathunk, thought Jonathan. Susan had been Counsel to a Governor–of course she thought Governors had power to do whatever they wanted.

He called Sheldon with the head’s up. Sheldon called Rahmbo–fuck that little prick, Patrick, thought Sheldon, I‘ll be damned if I deal with middlemen. Rahmbo hung up the phone, smiled and called Congressman Greg.

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