Page 84 of Power Games

"No," he said. "I can't."

"If you can't be my Chief of Staff, then who can?"

"Someone who understand politics? I'm alawyer."

"You're someone we trust, Barrett," said Vanessa. "We're about to enter a pit of snakes. There will be people who can advise us every step of the way, but the Chief of Staff’s job is to have Charles' back. If not you, then who?"

Anyone, he wanted to say.

"Can I think about it?"

He'd been looking forward to going back to his little firm. Peace and quiet. No more politics, no more assholes he needed to wine and dine.

"Sure. Just let us know."

Barrett left the reception early, ruminating on the possibility of working at the White House for the next four to eight years.

He wasn't one for power plays.

The End