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“Kate, no kidding, it was amazing. We're an amazing team. I mean I’m a backup singer,” Hal said and stretched his arms.
Kate turned in bed and was now lying on top of him and sighed contentedly.
“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves, Hal.”
“You’ve just agreed that it worked the last few days…” he said and continued in a nonchalant tone: “So what about imagining yourself as the vice president now?”
She rolled off him onto her side of the bed. “And it was such a peaceful moment,” she said.
“You don’t do peaceful, Kate.”
“You don’t do peaceful, Hal.”
“We’ve just taken the dangerous toys out of the giant toddler’s hands and prevented him from starting a war against Russia. Pretty peaceful for me.”
“Hal, really? Calling Trowbridge a giant toddler?”
He reached out and pulled Kate back down close to him. “Can we please focus on the important things now? That is: can you imagine yourself as the vice president now? With me at your side…”
“Too many too colourful dresses. No pockets,” she said drily.
Hal furrowed his eyebrows and looked at her questioningly.
“Just following the instructions and imagining being the vice president. Billie and everyone would love to make me wear dresses that aren’t black. That’s what I’m imagining.”
Hal gestured with his hands. “And can you take it seriously a bit? Kate, look what we’ve pulled off. What you’ve pulled off. This monster f*ck-witted scheme. You get things done. That’s what the president needs. And without elections on top of that.”
“I’ve just been appointed an ambassador…”
Hal just shrugged.
“There’s still a few months to go...” he noted.
Kate put her hand on his chest. “Well, then I hope you are not expecting an answer right now.”
Hal hummed something and then nodded sharply as if he decided to do something.
“You haven’t been exactly playing along but… let’s imagine another scenario,” Hal said and watched Kate closely.
“Me not being the vice president? Yeah, I might have experienced it here and there not being a vice president.”
He took a deep breath. “No. I want you to imagine now how it would be if we got the divorce!”
“We’ve just had sex…” Kate said absent-mindedly.
“And we are about to have it again. But that’s beside the point. Divorce. Imagine,” Hal pushed.
“No colourful dresses, no White House. Billie wouldn’t push for a divorced candidate. Back to Kabul I guess,” Kate stated matter-of-factly.
“Oh, well, seems like the wardrobe issue is very important to you. I’ll mention it to Stuart and Billie,” Hal remarked.
“I’m not stopping you.”
“Wait wait wait,” Hal raised his hand. “I’d need a spreadsheet to track all the changes soon. You are just casually accepting the idea of a divorce. Then are you also just casually accepting the idea of being the vice president and me talking to the White House staff?”
“No,” Kate shook her head. “I’m not casually accepting the idea of getting a divorce by talking about clothes. And to be absolutely clear I’m also not casually accepting the position of the vice president by talking about clothes.”
“That’s negotiable…” Hal waved it off.
“And third I know you are suggesting the divorce and talking about it so calmly only because it’s a part of your bigger scheme how not to get the damn divorce.”
“My scheme is very easy. We are a good team, we shouldn’t get divorced,” Hal stated.
“I’m not saying yes or no to either the vice presidency or the divorce. I’m just saying: it would have to work for the both of us. You’ve been a good backup singer these past few days but could you do it for months?” Kate pondered and looked at Hal expectantly.
“Let’s be real, Kate. I’ve been put on the back burner indefinitely. The highest function for me now is being a backup singer. It’s the housewife stuff I have some problems with. But a backup singer? Easy peasy, my love. I’ll be the best backup singer in case I’m not already one,” Hal stated confidently.
“That sounds like you,” Kate chuckled. “Let’s table the discussion. We have to make sure the plan with Libya materializes.”
Hal nodded.
“Let’s get up,” Kate said finally.
“Yeah, let’s go and get breakfast.”
“Yeah, I’ll just… go first.”
“Exactly. I’ll wait a moment so that Stuart won’t suspect anything.”
“Perfect.”
“Perfect.”