Chapter 22

The Capitol was an impressive building. Not just because of the long string of egomaniacs and criminals that had chased their secretaries around those hollowed halls but also because it was a pretty snazzy building. A great white marble building with a dome. Domes always made a building look great. In Italy they reminded him of breasts, but here they were just beautiful buildings. They never came in pairs, that would be too obvious. The cab was working its way up to the building. The day was a magnificent one. The sun was out and the air was warm but not hot enough to create that sticky, sweaty, mess they usually have. The humidity was below 40% and Harold's suit had not yet fused to his body in a sweaty glob. The radio in the cab was tuned to a religious station. The cabby asked Harold if he minded and he had not. The New Jim and Tammy Show was on. Jim had gotten out of jail and was collecting money for a ministry. He and Tammy were singing their new hit "One Martyr is Enough." It was a Christian medley that explained why Jim had suffered enough and now it was time to give, give, give, because Christ had suffered and now would feel good if you gave. It was lost on Harold but the cabby was writing down the phone number. They stopped at the curb and Harold paid the man just as Tammy began to sob.

Harold walked up the steps and into the immense entry way. A guard directed him to the committee chamber. It was barely 8:00 am when he entered the chamber. He had flown all night, he did that sort of thing. He looked and felt like hell. Shaving and showering at the airport had helped, but it was not enough. When he found no one there, he found a men's room, and then wandered around looking at the paintings. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw a familiar face.

"John Thomas - Great to see you! Harold, Harold MacAnish. You remember, the FDA mess." Harold was glad to see someone he knew despite his past experience with this legal counsel.

"I am glad to have found you. George hired me to help you testify. I was about to beep you."

"Help me testify? Don't I just tell the truth?" Harold would say such a thing, he might even believe such a thing. That is exactly why George had hired John Thomas.

"We should go over the text of your presentation. George faxed it to me and I have made a few notes. I have also prepared an environmental impact statement to defuse a few of the critics." John was in his element. He was a lawyer among lawyers and was ready. He could take the fifth with the best of them. "Lets get a cup of coffee and discuss your testimony."

Chapter 23

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