2030_ The Real Story of What Happens to America - Albert Brooks [95]
Susanna slept without medication, only taking it when she traveled long distances. The first time the President called her was on a Thursday at one in the morning. It was the week after the Camp David summit. He wasn’t sure if her husband was in town, but he thought the worst that would happen was that if her husband answered he would just say it was the President and it was important. After all, presidents are allowed to wake people up. But Susanna answered the call. She sounded out of it. “Yes?”
“Did I wake you?”
“Who is it?”
“The President.” She jumped up.
“What is it? Is something wrong?”
“No. I didn’t know if you were sleeping or how late you stayed up. I didn’t want to wake your husband. I’m sorry if this is too late.”
“My husband is traveling. We have separate bedrooms anyway. Actually, I fell asleep with tea in my hand and if you hadn’t called I probably would have scalded myself.”
“Well, then, I’m sort of a hero.”
“Yes. Is everything all right? Is there trouble?”
“I couldn’t sleep. I was thinking of so many things.”
“Camp David?”
“Yes. And my mother. For some reason when I think of my mother, I think of you.”
“Well, I don’t know whether that’s a compliment or not.”
“It is. Why do you have separate bedrooms?”
“What?”
“Never mind. I was just curious.”
“We’ve had separate bedrooms for years. I don’t even remember how it started, I’m just so used to it now. I think because I would work in bed so late that it kept him up. It was something like that.”
“I understand.” And he did.
“Speaking of your mother, I was going to go and see her tomorrow, if that’s still okay. I would just go alone.”
“It’s fine with me. And you’re absolutely sure you want to?”
“Yes, I really do. I want to see it for myself. I didn’t tell you before, but the people who own the facility she’s in are former investors of mine.”
“You’re kidding.”
“They own something like two hundred permanent-care facilities. It’s a very big business. And they were also involved with The Card.”
The President said nothing for a moment, but he was so impressed with her. What is it? Maybe it was seeing the softness of a woman with the cunning of a man that was so enticing. So many women in power came off as bossy or ballsy, at least to him, but not this one. “Well,” the President said, “I think it would be very nice if you wanted to do that. You could give me your thoughts. In any case, I’ll let you go back to sleep.”
“You’re going to wake me up and dump me?”
He laughed. “Okay, let’s talk about Camp David. Am I going to be known for taking down the United States?”
“Quite the contrary. I know the pressure you must feel, but there is no other way. Change is scary and unpredictable and that is why most presidents don’t want it. But fate has given this moment to you. In my opinion, sir, not doing this would cause a knockout blow to the country. I think the choice was handed to you and I have to say I think you reacted brilliantly.”
“Will you tell Congress that for me?”
“Yes.” Susanna laughed. “I’ll take care of it in the morning. But you know something? You’re not going to have trouble with them. Everyone in Congress knows the mess we’re in. There’s no more raising taxes or cutting loopholes. Without something this bold we’re going down, and they know it. This is our rescue. And yes, if you need me to go up there and talk to every single one of them, I will be happy to, and quite frankly, I expect to.”
The President’s smile was so big he thought it would wake up his wife in the other room. “Thank you, Susanna. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Mr. President?”
“Yes?”
“Call anytime.”
“I will. Good night.”
Bernstein wanted to talk to this woman for hours. He hadn’t had this feeling since high school.
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE