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By Root 1690 0

of the baseball off-season trades. It was a way for things to return to normal after a sad and stressful day. And so it was in this case, if on a somewhat broader scale. The White House photographer was waiting there on the South Lawn as the helicopter touched down. The stairs were lowered, and a Marine corporal stood at the bottom of them. President Ryan came out first, getting a salute from the corporal in dress blues, which he automatically returned, so ingrained were the lessons from Quantico, Virginia, more than twenty years before. Cathy came down behind, and then the kids. The Secret Service agents formed a loose corridor which told them where to head. News cameras were off to the west, their left, but no questions were shouted-this time; that would change very quickly, too. Inside the White House, the Ryans were directed to the elevators for a rapid trip to the second, bedroom floor. Van Damm was waiting there.

Mr. President.

Do I change, Arnie? Jack asked, handing his coat to a valet. Ryan stopped cold, if only for a second or two, in surprise at how easy that simple activity was. He was President now, and in small ways he had automatically started to act like one. Somehow that was more remarkable than the duties he'd already undertaken.

No. Here. The chief of staff handed over a list of the guests already downstairs in the East Room. Jack scanned it, standing there in the middle of the hall. The names weren't so much people as countries, many friendly, many acquaintances, some genuine strangers, and some Even as a former National Security Advisor, he didn't know everything he ought to have known about them. While he read, Cathy hustled the kids off to the bathroom-or started to. An agent from the Detail had to assist in locating them. Ryan walked into his own, checking his hair in the mirror. He managed to comb it himself, without the ministrations of Mrs. Abbot, under van Damm's scrutiny. Not even safe in here, the President told himself.

How long will this go, Arnie?

No telling, sir.

Ryan turned. When we're alone, the name's still Jack, remember? I've been afflicted, not anointed.

Okay, Jack.

Kids, too?

That'll be a nice touch Jack, so far, you've been doing well.

Do I have my speechwriter mad at me? he asked, checking his tie and leaving the bathroom.

Your instincts weren't so bad, but next time we can have a speech prepared for that.

Ryan thought about that, handing the list back to van Damm. You know, just because I'm President doesn't mean I stopped being a person.

Jack, get used to it, okay? You're not allowed to be 'just a person' anymore. Okay, you've had a few days to get used to the idea. When you walk downstairs, you are the United States of America, not just a person. That goes for you, that goes for your wife, and to some degree that goes for your kids. For his revelation, the chief of staff got a poisonous look that may have lasted a second or two. Arnie ignored it. It was just personal, not business. Ready, Mr. President?

Jack nodded, wondering if Arnie was right or not, and wondering why the observation had angered him so much. And then wondering again how true it was. You couldn't tell with Arnie. He was and would continue to be a teacher, and as with most skilled teachers, he would occasionally tell lies as harsh exemplars of a deeper truth.

Don Russell appeared in the corridor, leading Katie by the hand. She had a red ribbon in her hair as she broke free and ran to her mother. Look what Uncle Don did! At least one member of the Detail was already a member of the family.

You may want to get them all into the bathroom now, Mrs. Ryan. There are no restrooms on the State Floor.

None?

Russell shook his head. No, ma'am, they sort of forgot when they built the place.

Caroline Ryan grabbed the two youngest and led them off, doing her motherly duty. She returned in a couple of minutes.

Want me to carry her downstairs for you, ma'am? Russell asked with a grandfatherly smile. The stairs are a little tricky in heels. I'll hand her off at the bottom.

Sure. People started heading for