Page 71 of Powerless

We head out and toward my office. Liam opens the door for me. “Mr. President,” he says as he waits for me to enter.

“Thank you.” Kathryn and I both enter the Oval Office.

To say this is surreal is a complete understatement. There’s an air of history, power, and a sense of gravity. Many of the men who served here before me have made spectacular decisions in this room that affect the lives of the American people, good and bad.

The Resolute desk is a grand and impressive sight. The chair has been replaced and is waiting for me to sit in. “Liam, give us a moment,” Kathryn says.

“Yes, ma’am.” He walks out the side door, closing it behind him.

“You okay?” Kathryn asks as I stare at the extraordinary desk.

“I am.” I swallow the nervousness back. She clasps my hands in hers, forcing me to look at her. “I am,” I repeat with more assurance.

“Good. Now, be the damned president.”

I smile at her forcefulness. I take a moment, staring at the desk, before moving behind it and sitting in the chair. I look toward Kathryn and give her a small wink. A sense of calm embodies me as my heart settles and I get ready for my first acts as the president. “Liam,” I call.

He opens the door and sees me sitting in the chair. “Mr. President,” he says as he smiles broadly. “May I say, sir, you suit the environment.” Cheeky bastard.

“I know. Ask Esther to come in.”

“Yes, sir.” Liam heads to the other side of the office from where he came in and opens the door. “Esther.”

On cue, Esther walks into the office carrying the black folders for the nine executive orders I’m signing today. “Mr. President.” She smiles proudly before placing the black folders on my desk.

I reach for her hand and lightly pat it. “I’m glad you accepted this job, Esther.”

Her eyes sparkle as she sucks in a breath. “I’m humbled and honored you asked me, sir.” How could I not hire her? She was instrumental in running my campaign by keeping my schedule and organizing dinners with key donors. There’s no one else like her.

I look to Liam and give him a small nod. Esther stands toward the back, and I notice how she can’t wipe the smile off of her face. This is a monumental moment in history, and I’ll be changing people’s lives. The entire country will be looking to me to make their lives better in one way or another. Liam opens the door and gives his instructions.

“Mr. President.” My deputy chief of staff, Alisha Hodges, enters and stands beside Liam.

My communications director, Elizabeth Owen, is the next one in.

“Mr. President,” Alison, my press secretary, announces as she walks in, trailed by some reporters from the press pool.

My vice president is missing, but that’s because I’ve already sent him to Switzerland to look at their healthcare services so we can attempt to implement some of their procedures here.

“Good morning,” I say once everyone is in the Oval Office.

There’s a constant clicking of cameras, as well as two video cameras on tripods being quickly set up.

Kathryn stands beside me with a wide smile.

“Today marks the day my administration takes office, and starts the hard work ahead of us. I expect my administration to uphold the highest legal and ethical standards. I feel a massive responsibility to bridge the gaps in our country and unite us together. Today I’m signing nine executive orders.” I take the one on the top. “The first order is to freeze executive branch government wages. That includes all senior staff, including me.” I open the black folder and sign my name to the paperwork. Once signed, there’s a round of applause. I take the second folder from the top and smile. Opening it up, I look up to the press corps. “This is an important order for every single American. I’m signing the executive order to raise the minimum wage by two dollars an hour.”

The next hour is spent speaking with the press corps and signing the other executive orders and memos with the reporters as witness.

“Mr. President, how do you feel?” One of the reporters defies Alison’s order not to ask questions.

“Robert,” Alison warns with a stern look and a hard voice.

I give Alison a slight shake of my head. I know she’s protecting me, but I can imagine how they’re feeling. “I’m grateful that I’m signing nine orders that impact each and every American. Mental health affects everyone, as does climate change, racial equality and women’s rights.”

“But—”

“We can reserve the questions for the briefing, folks. Or, alternately, I can entertain you with knock-knock jokes while the President concentrates,” Alison says, taking control back from the reporter. There’s a collective laugh among everyone in the room, including me.

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