focus, focus” said Carol. “Mac after you pass the bar, you can play Don Quijote and chase all the unfair windmills you want.”
Chapter 7 Limo to Meeting
The Giardina’s plane landed on the south runway 28R. It taxied to the east VIP hangers near North Access road. A black stretch limousine idled close to where the plane stopped.
Senator Giardina and her executive assistant, Eric, deplaned unceremoniously. The driver, a burly, body-guard type, opened the door for them. They sped off on 101 north to the City.
Giardina felt uncomfortable in the limousine even with her freshly poured, scotch and water. Her bottom still felt moist after sponging off in the plane's bathroom. Her uneasiness subsided when she remembered one of her father’s many useful quips.
She recalled a car ride with him when she was twelve. Her father had just finished inspecting something stored in a dirty old barn. Later, she realized that it was marijuana stacked like bales of hay. He didn’t have time to clean himself before going to the banquet.
During the ride, he removed dirt from his fingernails and noticed she was watching. He told her he felt all grimy. But that didn’t matter. When you’re in public, dress the part and act normal. No one will know how you feel, unless (he emphasized unless) you tell them.
Bonni's gray pinstriped, pantsuit looked professional. She had worn this same pantsuit after her and Eric had sex the first time. Later that evening, she attended a fundraising dinner with her husband. That meal raised $200,000 for her reelection campaign. Bonni took a long pull on her cigarette, sipped the scotch and relaxed in those memories.
The Senator reverted back to the present as Eric handed her several files. She gazed at him for a long second and then the files. She began to fantasize about the plane ride back to DC, when Eric said, "these files have the information you requested about the Motorhead incident." She reached out and took the files. He continued, "The board will review this situation in a closed-door session after the general meeting, tonight."
"Well, if we have to get down to business, let's do it,” she sighed.
The first folder dealt with the early unionization attempts at the Motorhead factory. Senator Giardina always cultivated close relationships with organized labor except in Motorhead's case. She was motivated by something closer to her heart than votes, money.
Every union in the bay area had contributed money and time to Senator Giardina's election and subsequent re-elections. Giardina couldn't help thinking that she owed her publically supported, pompous life-style in part to these middle class, labor types.
Her father had taught her how to keep the unions happy. Once in public office, she made sure to sponsor or co-sponsor legislation favorable to union causes. Her intentions would solidify a positive image of her with union membership.
If or when legislation negatively effecting unions appeared in the Senate, she would use her considerable influence to help vote it down. Not a moment’s consideration was given to how taxpaying, non-union people would be affected. During this process, Bonni showed no respect for the general public. She knew that very few, if any, would pay attention to the legislation accept the union leaders, anyways.
Senator Giardina noticed the name Patea Tuafa as the major union organizer. The details of this situation raced back sending sparkling chills up her back. A fire had killed him and his entire family.
Giardina remembered that Motorhead's workers wanted to unionize. She also remembered downplaying any union loyalties to keep the company’s profits up. She realistically knew that any union would greatly increase the company's overhead and take money out of her pocket.
"Our subcommittee resolved this issue," Bonni breathed not wanting to recall any more details about the fire. "Motorhead is still turning out brake glue and making quite a nice profit for Amerastar.”
"Look at the subcommittee file," remarked Eric. The subcommittee file was thick and partitioned into several sections. In the first section she noted that in subcommittee, she, her husband and a slim majority voted to utilize Amerastar’s security personnel. Their job was to explain to the workers the advantages of not forming a union.
The Senator was not in the mood. "This Motorhead business is so yesterday. Why do I have to review it?" she asked.
Eric sighed, "Because there are developing complications.”
Giardina understood the urgency in Eric's voice and continued browsing through the folder. The annoyed person inside her downed the rest of her drink and asked for another. After Eric poured and handed it to her she said, “Complications will have to wait. I want to enjoy the City’s lights.” She lit another cigarette and gazed out the limo's windows.
As the black limo continued cruising towards the City, Eric flipped open his laptop computer. Senator Giardina, a non-techno type, took her eyes off the City and watched Eric’s fingers type several commands. She began day-dreaming about his long, powerful fingers exploring her body. They were much more preferable to the small, stubby fingers of her aging husband, Simon.
While Bonni was in law school, her teenage ideas about following in her father’s footsteps materialized. She knew from her father’s dealings that politicians need money to get elected. They also need a gift for lying with a straight face. She merged these realities with an all out assault on a fellow Harvard student named Simon Wooster.
Bonni met Simon Edison Wooster during her senior year in law school. At that time, he attended Harvard’s School of Business.
At 6’3” and a stocky 195, Simon was a good-looking man. No one could blame Bonni for being interested in him. Bonni made sure he noticed her after several brief encounters at the local pubs. Simon eventually made an advance in Bonni’s direction. Bonni was waiting with open arms and hot legs.
Giardina was not going to spread her legs for anyone. She had done her research. Simon was the only son of Simon Theodore Wooster. ST, as those in the business called him, was the CEO of Amerastar Corporation. Amerastar was a member Fortune's 50 top American corporations.
Bonni knew that Amerastar had the potential to increase its holdings. They could move into San Francisco's real estate market, aircraft manufacturing, industrial construction and all the subsidiaries that feed these companies. Amerastar was a potential sleeping giant. All Amerastar needed was a little legislative help from Washington DC. That's where she would step in.
Simon was heir apparent to his father’s corporation. Giardina knew politicians need lots of campaign money. This marriage was perfect for her future political career. The fact that ST died, mysteriously, shortly after Bonni and Simon married, only accelerated her political career.
When Eric began talking, Bonni lifted her focus from his fingers to his lips. Eric expressed concern for the lingering Motorhead issue, again. She snapped at him. “That’s old news.”
“It’s old news to everyone but certain family members of the Motorhead factory,” Eric retorted. “Apparently, the board is going to reexamine the union matter.”
“I’ll read the rest of these files later." She sat back and comforted herself with more memories, the scotch and her cigarette.
Chapter 8 The Board Meeting
Michael Brothers, the President of the board sat at the head of the long, shinny mahogany
