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But you see how old age, so far from being feeble and inactive, is even
busy and is always doing and effecting something - that is to say,
something of the same nature in each case as were the pursuits of earlier
years.
Cicero, _On Old Age_, VIII, 26.
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Loki, Year 45 (2053 AD)
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"I told you that you only had a chance if you set up your own political party." John Koenig had gone over this before with his grandson; but he now hoped that Preston's flattening defeat in the recent election would convert him to this view.
The ANP had increased its majority on the Council; and, with the support of the Opposition, Delores had been elected Commander by an overwhelming majority. As had long been promised, she was pushing through a package of constitutional amendments. Now freed from the reverence felt towards her predecessor, the Council, under the presidency of her lieutenant, was going to offer her every support.
Knowing that his place in Alphan history was secure, John watched what was taking place with interest. He wished Delores and her party well, realizing that it was long overdue for the second generation to be in full control of the state; it was with less equanimity that he and Helena watched the rows in their family over Preston's candidacy. The latter had wrongly assumed that all his brothers, his uncles, and his cousins would support him; but this had been a serious misconception, particularly in the case of Bella Koenig, a prominent ANP activist. Both John and Helena had extracted a solemn promise that Preston would be at her forthcoming wedding.
"It's your fault, Grandma!" The remark burst out from Preston Carter. The young man, who looked a lot like his father, but with his mother's chin and cheekbones, glared at Helena. "If you hadn't persuaded Grandpa not to endorse my candidacy, I would've had a chance!"
Helena and John gave each other sideways glances. Long familiarity enabled each to read agreement in the other's faces. Had it been too early to invite Preston and his wife to Rainbow Valley? He was still sore from his defeat, and still seeking to blame others except himself.
"Your grandma was right, Preston, which is why I didn't endorse you, or any party you wanted to set up. You've got to set yourself up as a proper candidate, not as my grandson." John hated saying this; but it was true. "People saw you as too young, without organizational skills and too easy going. Delores was older than you when she began planning to become Commander. The ANP is fourteen years old. It's people and parties like that you've got to beat!" He was perhaps being too passionate in making this point; but he did not want to unsay what he had just said.
Helena came in to support him. "Preston, we love you, but that doesn't make you a good candidate for Commander. Grandpa and I have ten other grandchildren who could have an equal claim."
Preston smiled, but without malice. "That's not true. I'm the eldest, and the President's son-in-law as well. Not that it helped me. No offence meant, Buffy; I didn't expect it to." The last remark was addressed to his wife, to whom he turned. Her father had been President of the Council for the past six years. His tenure in office had ensured the Council's independence and assertiveness, which had disconcerted Koenig at first. Afterwards, he had come to have a sneaking admiration for Jean-Paul Castellano, who had used the management skills acquired in raising his nine children. The latter had also made it clear to Preston, long before the election, that family ties would not mean any political favours from him.
Buffy Castellano took her husband's left hand in her right and placed it on her stomach. "None taken, my love." Her dark eyes looked into his as she smiled. "We married because we love each other, not because of who our families are. Remember how insistent Papa and Mama were about that?" They both laughed, laughter which John and Helena joined in, breaking the tension. Jean-Paul and Aisha, remembering how their marriage, begun so inauspiciously, had succeeded because of their love for each other, had been satisfied by Preston of the purity of his intentions towards their fifth child
"We did say that Alan and Emma would've done the same." Helena reminded them.
Preston nodded. "Buffy and I; we both have interesting parents." This was correct, and had been the first topic of conversation when they had first met.
John decided to continue with this change of subject. "You both said that you'd chosen names for the baby."
"Yes," Buffy smiled. "Alan Kofi Michael if it's a boy, Desiree Emma Aisha if it's a girl. I know we can find out the gender; but we want it to be a surprise. Of course," she patted her stomach, "We'll be more interested in what it looks like. Papa and Mama did say, after I told them I was pregnant, that it was interesting how the third generation of your family were all white, and wondered what a little loving miscegenation would do."
John had never seen it that way; nor, if he read her correctly, had Helena.
She beat him to it in replying. "I never saw it that way, but it will be interesting. All I'll predict is that the kid will be a little brown." She smiled at the prospect of being a doting great-grandmother.
The subject had mellowed Preston somewhat. "Grandpa, Grandma, I'm sorry I yelled at you like that; I'm still down but will get over it. If there's any good advice you want to give me, please do. I'll take it into consideration, I promise."
John nearly started; because 'take it into consideration' had been one of the phrases used by Commissioner Simmons when he was trying to ignore information he didn't want to know about. Maybe Preston had the makings of a politician in him after all. If he was now prepared to listen, something could be done.
"Good." John collected his thoughts. "I'll talk about this in detail with you later, but I'll remind you of what I said earlier: you need to establish your identity as a candidate with a policy to offer Alphans, as the leader of a party with such a policy. If the popular vote amendment is ratified, you'll have a better chance in the next election. Of course, I'm not going to endorse you or your party but-,"
"You can still give me advice." Preston was grinning. "Sneaky." He turned to Buffy. "What will your dad and Aunt Delores think of this?"
She gave him a look. "They and Sal've thought about it already. Aunt Delores said that retirement would give your grandpa the chance to privately back someone; it would give him the chance to influence matters indirectly." She smiled, tilting her head to one side. "They know that he'll always be doing something, probably political." She noticed the looks her husband and grandparents-in-law gave her, gave her shoulders what would have been called a Gallic shrug back on Earth, and stared at John. "It's no secret. They've been speculating for years about what you would do when you retired."
"They're a smart bunch," observed Helena. "And it's them you've got to beat."
John realized that he was starting to like his retirement. Not only was it a release from the burdens of office; it also opened another door to being involved in politics, among other things. He would endeavor to be always doing something.
(Note: ANP: Alphan Nationalist Party, Alpha's oldest political party, founded in Y.31 by Delores Doherty, Jean-Paul Castellano, and Salvatore Verdeschi.)
Murray Smith
March, 2000