The Media Candidate by Paul Dueweke Read Free Book Online Page A

pictures surrounding him, not the exciting
businesswoman who sat before him.
    “Well, I’ve just retired from a long career in
science, and I felt this was a good time for me to help … or, I
guess, give back something for human … for the community.”
    “That’s very noble of you. What brings you to
CBS?”
    “I guess that’s pretty serendipitous. You see,
I’m not a registered CBS voter. I’m not registered at all. I’ve
kept my nose to the grindstone for a long time. In fact, I haven’t
voted for probably longer than you’ve been around. That’s why I
want to do something to help.” Elliott broke eye contact with Burns
and momentarily stared away. “I’ve been a taker … not a giver. You
understand what I mean?”
    Burns sat motionless and emotionless.
    “I guess it’s hard for someone your age to
appreciate what I’m trying to say.”
    “I understand perfectly,” she said. “I often
feel the same way. I’m curious about why you chose CBS.”
    “That’s the serendipity. CBS is the only party
with an office here in the city.”
    “But with holographic multimedia, that’s hardly
a consideration anymore,” Burns replied.
    “I know. Maybe I’m old fashioned. I just wanted
to deal with someone face to face.”
    “I certainly understand. I think this is a
wonderful thing you’re doing.” Burns rose to her feet. “I wish I
had more time to talk this morning, but I just came from a rally at
the University and I have a virtual conference meeting with the
state director in a short time, so I need to finish changing and
prepare for that. We’re all quite busy right about now.” She walked
with him toward the door. “There may be some very valuable things
you can help us with in the near term. Let me think about our plans
and get back to you.”
    The interview was over as quickly as it had
started. Elliott found himself standing beside his bicycle before
he even realized what had happened. He stood there
immobile—wondering. In a moment, he was pointed toward home, but
his spirit was captured in that third floor suite.
     
     

CHAPTER TEN
Sherwood Hits the Trail
     
    “I’d say a couple of hundred students will show
up for that event,” Burns said. She sat near the end of the same
table at which she’d interviewed Elliott earlier that day. A
life-size hologram of the state CBS director sat at the head of the
table. Hundreds of miles away, the same conference was taking place
between the state director and a hologram of Burns in his
conference room.
    “Good!” said the state director. “That’s all I
have on my agenda. Now I’d like you to speak with our new field
liaison officer, Sherwood, about the old guy you talked to today.”
The state director’s hologram faded out and Sherwood faded in,
standing directly across the table from Burns. He peered down at
her over his pipe. The smoke billowed upward and out of the
hologram leaving no trace.
    “Tell me what happened, Burns,” he said.
    “Got a cold call from an old guy who wants to
volunteer for the party. Says it’s some kind of public service
thing. Sounds sincere, or he’s a hell of an actor. Not sure what to
make of it. His name’s Elliott T. Townsend. Says he just retired
and wants to help people, or something. Ever hear of anything so
bizarre?”
    “His party affiliation?” Sherwood
questioned.
    “Claims not to be affiliated. He used to
volunteer for the Libertarian Party when he was in college. You
ever hear of that one?”
    “Did he say anything about some files he may
have acquired from the University?”
    “What kind of files?” A period of silence
followed. “No.”
    “Did he seem suspicious of the candidates?”
    “Not just the candidates, but the whole
political process.”
    “Do you trust him?” Sherwood asked.
    “You can’t trust anybody as far out as him.”
    “Anything else?”
    “No,” said Burns.
    “Let me know if he makes any further
contact.”
    “Okay.”
    “But do not contact