On the Campaign Trail

[chanaud]

Scene I – San Francisco, California


Top floor of the Ritz Carlton


It was yet another $1000.00 a plate fundraiser for our candidate, Thor Bumblelich. It seems like there’s been one every week! It was obvious; the political advisors hired to oversee Governor-to be-Thor were patterning their ‘chosen leader’ after Bill Clinton and judging from the latest polls - it’s working. But then again, it doesn’t hurt that every major network wanted Thor to win because California’s current Governor Anne Shipman was a Republican and had threatened to censor the news.

Tonight’s supporters consisted of mainly oil companies and environmental agencies. Oil and environment in the same room??? Uh oh!! Who was responsible for this blunder?

Thor was sitting at the center of a long table with the Who's who of California, while the other 500 guests were assigned in more intimate tables according to their donation commitment.

 

[Kandi]

Petra Sage

OOC: Petra Sage, 26, 5'11", slim, bright, funny, redhead, lots of freckles, hot temper, naive but clever enough to make up for her mistakes, aggressive in a way that many people don't even notice, working for a west coast environmental group as a lobbyist, trying to cut deals with everybody.

IC: Mr. Peters, Dick if you can believe it, my boss at PEAG, Pacific Enviromental Action Group, had been after me for months to get close to Bumblelich. So far my calls had only gotten through to low level staff who would brush me off. No return calls. No chance to chat with the Thor. Dick was getting pissed, was sure it was all my fault, called me inexperienced, green. We all thought it was his pecker that was green.

At any rate, he bought a ticket to this fundraiser, one thousand bucks for salad and some pretty decent wine. The rest of the food was pretty unappetizing to me, but then again I was a vegetarian, so eating amongst the masses was never an easy trick. Dick said if I didn't get an appointment to meet with the Thor this time he couldn't guarentee I'd have a job in the morning. I wasn't so sure, seeing the throngs that had turned out to see California's wonder boy, if I could get anywhere near him tonight. But I had worn my slinkiest outfit, cause just like his unseen mentor, the Thor had a thing for cute young chicks, and I could play cute young chick when I had to.

Lots o f faces here I recognize, but no one yet that I was on speaking terms with. I jockeyed for position, but I still felt like I was half a football field away from my prey. Shit, he couldn't even see my cleavage at this distance. But the outfit must be working, cause I was gathering lots of stares from the other guys, and a few of the women. Well, this WAS San Fransisco. All I really wanted to do was get heavy into the wine, but I feared I would have to keep my edge sharp if I was going to get anywhere near him in this crowd, and then, of course, I'd have to impress him, one way or another.

 

[ariosto]

Boss there's a tall red head with tits that won't quit angling in towards The Bumble.

Link Karr, keyed the lapel mic.
"Thanks Simmons'I see her."
From his position imediately behind the candidate the Security Chief relied on his point men to spot approaching 'situations'

She was indeed tall and slinky, a real knock out. Dressed to kill and she was young. Bumble liked 'em young. The last one SAID she was 18. Yeah...right.
He wished he could check out her cleavage
but his angle was wrong and then of course the dark sunglasses...
The Candidate would have her in the sack in no time and there'd be yet another scandal.
Checking around quickly, Karr decided he could step away for a moment.

She felt a tap on her shoulder and found herself looking eye to eye...except she couldn't see his... with a sun tanned, well bulit man in his mid 40s.
She smiled, it was her job.

"Would you like to meet Thor Bumblelich Miss?"
The way he said it didn't sound quite like a question.

 

[Thor's Hammer]

Thor Bumblelich

...........the city by the Bay.....Tony Bennett's rendition played - again and again - in my mind. I was bored, but my handler said I had to be nice to these fools. I knew some of my advisors thought that I was nothing but a handsome face - someone who needed to be wound up and pointed in the correct direction. When I was Governor........I let that thought die aborning. There was plenty of time for that. One thing I loved was the adulation that greeted me at every turn. The latest polls had us up over Governor Shipman by almost 10 points. I looked around the room, waving and giving many of the faces I recognized my best sincere, warm, politicians smile.

I sipped my wine sparingly sparingly......I never let substances control me. I was glad that the evening was almost over. I had just finished delivering my standard stump speech and basked in the adulation. Imagine, these people pay a $1000 a plate to try to gain access to the next Governor.

What I really was thinking while I was waving was that I was feeling horny. It had been a couple of days since the....incident with the 18 year old. Lucky my security people kept the 'event' from the media. How was I to know that her husband of three hours was waiting for her in the honeymoon suite of that small hotel in Carmel? A small 'stipend' insured their silence. After all, she practically threw herself at me in the hotel......and she gave a blow job worthy of Monica.... That scene (just before hubby started making a ruckus in the hall), her small hand milking my cock, cum dribbling from the corner of her mouth.....

I quickly thought about my proposed budget....that would take anyone's mind off of sex.

The band struck up that wonderful old Democratic Party theme song, 'Happy Days are here again.' As I remembered, that was a cue for me to leave....but I thought I would let one of my overpaid staff remind me.........

 

[TheOlderGuy]

Jesse Strange

I stood about as far away from the future Governor as one could be in a room this size. I got no meal, but at least it hadn't cost me $1000 to be here. The campaign had let a pool of reporters in for free to cover the event. Not that they were desperate for publicity, but they wanted to keep this freight train moving all the way to the Governor's mansion, so they nurtured us now and then.

I was finding it impossible to find an angle for my story. I really didn't want to write one more tired piece about the Governor-to-be's charm, appeal to the voters, lead in the polls, bright future for California. It was all boring shit. I wanted something nobody else had, but it was hard to get close enough to find anything. I had laid awake last night, thinking that the key was to stop trying to get next to Bumblelich, and instead get close to someone close to him. Then I might find some secrets. But I had been watching his actions all night, and so far had not figured out who in this crowd would be both approachable and interesting. Most of his inner circle appeared to be stuffy, hard-assed men, who were committed to image building, and keeping shits like me away from their man.

At 29, my blond surfer boy looks wouldn't buy me any time with them, and I was just too new in this game to have the chutspah to throw myself into 'situations' If I was going to make it at WEST Magazine, or anywhere else in the cutthroat world of journalism, I was going to have to start taking some chances, tho. I had some time to prove myself. Frank was a good friend from college, and as my editor, he had lots of latitude in how he handled me, but eventually I would have to prove myself, or the publisher would start breathing down his neck.

 

[captainb]

.

 

[Mistress Jorja]

Jasmine Bumblelich

OOC: Thor’s eighteen year old daughter, who was adopted during a previous campaign as a purely political move. No one, save the newsmakers who love every second of unusual press time she gives them, knows quite what to make of her feisty attitude and flirtatious baby blues…

IC: Lying on the overstuffed king-sized bed in Suite 268 of the Ritz-Carlton, I listened to the monotone of the droning newscasters with one ear. As the political updates continued, I grimaced at the sound of such a gaudy name as “Jasmine Bumblelich”.

I wanted something snazzy, like the pizzazz of a headliner in Vegas who had their namesake decked out in enough light bulbs to short-circuit any household in the country. Because I had just turned eighteen, I could legally change it…as soon as I decided on something with kick. Perhaps something a bit risqué as well. In fact, Jasmine Risqué had a ring to it…

Flipping idly through the TV channels – the sappy romances that made me sick, previews for badly done shoot-em-up action thrillers, the occasional blurry porno flick - I sighed and hit the power button with a vengeance. Eying the mini-bar sitting temptingly beneath the wide screen Sony, I wondered just how child-proof it’s lock was.

The faintly glowing green numbers of the digital clock announced that it was safe for me to make my appearance. The snooze-fest of dry speeches should be over by now – after all, even politicians had their limits – and I could hang around just long enough to avoid getting my car privileges revoked for “inappropriate behavior.”

Uncrossing my black trooper boots, I smoothed the faded green army fatigues that hung baggily on my slender frame – just the way that was currently stylish. Pulling my bleached blonde hair (something that many claimed was the only thing “Californian” about me) into a high ponytail, I grabbed the room card and slipped it into my back pocket next to my wallet.

Donning my mirrored Top Gun shades despite the dim “mood lighting” of the carpeted hallway, I took the fire stairs two at a time. My heavy boots, (the ones that Mom would have burned days ago if she had been able to find them in my tornado-swept room), echoed off of the enclosed space. The chances were in my favor that I wouldn’t run into anyone that I knew (or that knew my father) here. In their pressed suits and dainty heels, they’d cram themselves into the elevators like sardines to avoid any unnecessary foot stress.

Standing in hallway outside the giant ballroom that warned of an insanely high Maximum Occupancy number, I opened the door and entered, hoping to slink to some dark corner and be completely antisocial. A hope, that between pushy reporters and drunk political activists looking for someone to lend an ear to their outrageous pleas and half-baked ideas, I knew would be shattered.

 

[chanaud]

OOC: Sincerity Rose - Just call me "Sin"

Long auburn hair, almond-shaped brown eyes, 5'9", tall and slender. Father is a billionaire and bought Sin an intern position with Thor's Campaign.

IC:

My friends and family think it’s a piece of cake to be an intern. Little did they know, how difficult our job is. Our job is to ‘smile and cater’ to Thor’s contributors and his staff, as if we were prostitutes. At least real prostitutes get paid for their services. Sure, we attend glamorous parties and mingle with America’s elite. But, it can get tiresome when our true golden boy, Thor is hand off to us interns. God forbid, they're afraid of another scandal. There is a hushed rumor; the Democratic Party still hasn’t recovered from the shame of Monica and Bill.

This is the first I’ve seen Governor-to-be-Thor alone in a crowded room. I looked around desperately to see where our campaign manager was. I see him red-faced trying to schmooze a familiar face. Wait, isn’t that the wife of that Oscar winning director, Steve….something? Since his attention was elsewhere, I knew this was my opportunity. I’ve never been one to follow rules. What are they going to say to me? Just a mention of my Father and they will be falling to their knees.

There was a beeline towards Thor. I knew this was my golden opportunity. As I hurried across the room in my low-cut black Halston dress, I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned my head in annoyance, but soon broke out into a wide smile, when I saw a handsome stranger standing before me.

 

[BigDawg69]

Excuse me, ma'am? Are you with the Bumblewhatisname campaign?/i]

I stopped a slender beauty in her tracks as she headed for the swollen headed politician. I was here on business. Just like most I s'pose, but my business i different, mainly cause it's mine. I'm a oil tycoon from Texas with my eyes set on the prize. That new pipeline could mean milions for me, and my future acquisition of the owner company is hanging on this Cally boy and his errant campaign.

I am rich, Bill Gates rich. But I'm a cowboy through and through. All 6'5" of my large frame topped with my wide brimmed Stetson. My bright green eyes peer down at the little lady awaiting her response.

 

[TheOlderGuy]

Jesse

Looking around the room, feeling totally lost for ideas, I felt more and more depressed. Maybe I wasn't cut out to be on the cutting edge of journalism. Maybe I should just go do a gardening column or something, something I could enjoy without such pressure to perform. Just as I had begun to talk myself into total doom and gloom, the door beside me swung open wide, and in walked opportunity.

I recognized her immediately, the sassy blonde 18 year old daughter of the Thor, Jasmine 'Trouble with a capital T' Bumblelich herself. She stopped in the doorway and scanned the room from left to right until her eyes locked on my own, not more than two feet from her. "Hi, I'm Jesse, Jesse Storrey." It was totally lame, but I knew I had to say something before she turned away and the opportunity walked with her. There was a fire in her eyes that was totally captivating. I knew, of course, that I was entirely out of my league here, that I would probably be hung out to dry by someone, but I was hoping against hope that I could command her attention for at least a few moments, while I figured out Plan 'B'.

To my relief, and surprise, she did not immediately turn and run away. She stared at me over her mirrored shades with those dazzlingly dangerous eyes. If it wasn't too late to hide, I might have shrunk away, but now that I'd engaged her attention, I was going to have to think of something to say. I checked her out once from head to toe, having to smile at the contrast of her outfit, faded fatigues and black trooper boots, topped off with that defiant face of hers. I instantly liked her. "I really like your style. Would you like to go find some real food somewhere?" I knew it wouldn't work, but I didn't have much to lose.

 

[Kandi]

Petra

"M..m..meet Thor Bumblelich? Ahhhhh, well, yeh." This guy took me totally off guard, and what the fuck's with the shades. I was trying to disguise my amazement that someone comes out of the blue to fulfill my very desire. I hadn't even rubbed the genie's lamp, or anything. And who the hell IS this guy?

"Who ARE you? Oh, I'm so sorry, that was rude. I'm Petra Sage, with PEAG. Oh, I guess it says that here," I glanced at my name tag. "But who ARE you?"

I tried discretely to check him out, realizing that he must be security, with the shades and the lapel mic, and the no name tag.
Not a bad looker for a house dick, or was he secret service? Do they get themselves involved with state politics? Nice tan.

 

[chanaud]

Sin

Excuse me, ma'am? Are you with the Bumblewhatisname campaign?

"His name is Bubbleblech....I mean Bubblyblech....oh my gawd...What's come over me?" I grabbed the glass of wine from his hand and downed the leftover drink.

"Let me start over. His name is Thor Bumblelich." I looked up at the this cowboy with a mock expression towering over me and immediately forgot about my plot to meet Thor.

I batted my eyelashes at him and picked an imaginary piece of lint off his jacket, "And whom might you be?"

 

[Mistress Jorja]

Jasmine

“Lead me not into temptation…” I gave the young reporter a once-over, pushing the shades back up the bridge of my nose and smiling approvingly, “…I can find it myself.”

He had caught my attention – the surfer boys were few and far between at political functions, being banned permanently to Venice and Huntington. The majority here were at least double, if not triple, my age.

“Thanks for the offer, sweets, but I’ve gotta make the rounds.” I rolled my eyes in Thor’s direction, leaning casually back against the wide ballroom doors, hoping no one would barge through them, “The Bumble’s rules, not mine.”

Starting to walk towards Thor’s table, I turned back to the reporter, as if on second thought. “Hey,” I squinted at the blurry press pass clipped to his lapel, “...Jesse, ya wanna join me for dessert? The death by chocolate cake is, well, to die for. And you can quote me on that one.”

I turned on my heel, gesturing for the guards to let the reporter by. Weaving my way, head down, through the mass of starched dress suits and expensively tailored smoking jackets, I didn’t look to see if Jesse had followed because I knew he was on my heels. They were all the same - like bloodhounds.

Humming a snatch of the Mission Impossible theme song as I passed Link, I turned my face away and ducked quickly back into the crowd so he wouldn’t catch the smirk on my face.

 

[BigDawg69]

As the beautiful young gal stumbled through her response to my inquiry I took in her wonderful form. I gave her one of my patented broad smiles and threw in a wink to help calm her a bit. She recovered nicely and began to pick some lint from my lapel. I know I can be intimidating at first, what with my large frame and booming voice. But I’m really a teddy bear at heart.

Well little lady, I’m Jack McNamara, and I want, no I need your boy to get elected. I glanced over to the Bumble as I spoke and saw him strangely alone. As I surveyed the rest of the crowd I noticed a fine young activist being questioned by what must’ve been one of the ole boy’s security types.

Now, I was just hopin’ you might be able to get me a meetin’ with one of the ole boy’s campaign advisors? With this I reached out and laid a gentle hand on her delicate shoulder. Maybe as this crowd moseys on out of here, you might be able to show a cowboy his way upstairs? Another broad smile stretched across my face, and this time my wink spun from the other eye.

 

[captainb]

.

 

[Thor's Hammer]

Thor Bumblelich

.....apparently my staff was too busy slurping up the free booze to pay attention to the candidate. Annoyed, I strode quickly from the room and headed for the elevator that granted access to my penthouse suite. I scanned the room in true politician fashion, however, as I left. Quite candidly, I was assessing the possibilities for later tonight. I love campaigns! They always attract some lovlies that are starry-eyed over the political scene. If I remembered the schedule correctly, there was a slot about now that was not scheduled with yet another meeting with yet another politico.

 

[captainb]

Willie

He handed the security guard his business card, watching as Bumblelich wandered away and left the room. "Please make sure Mr. Bumblelich gets this card, I would really like to speak with him about our company's contributions." The guard nodded blandly, then put a finger to his ear as if listening, nodded to no one in particular, and silently moved away.

Willie sighed, then straightened as he saw the redhead looking a little lost after the candidate had left her. He stepped next to her and smiled sympathetically.

"He's not the easiest guy to meet, it seems," he said. She turned with an automatic smile, which wavered as she read his nametag. "I'm Willard Williams, Miss Sage. Although I prefer Willie. So you're with PEAG." He stopped as her eyes met his directly. *She's stunning!* he thought. *Keep your wits about you, Willie! Say something that will make her like you....*

"So, come here often?" *crap crap crap crap....*

 

[chanaud]

Sin

I had to roll my eyes at his suggestion, Maybe as this crowd moseys on out of here, you might be able to show a cowboy his way upstairs?

Yeeeeah right...he's a cowboy. Sure, he's dressed the part and is wearing what looks like an authentic Stetson. But, he can't fool me, Daddy didn't raise a blonde!

In the corner of my eye, I noticed Thor dissappeared. Drat! There goes a golden opportunity.

Turning to my attention back to this self-proclaimed cowboy, my eyes roamed up and down his tall lanky body before settling in his eyes, "So, it's Jack, huh?"

"Yes ma'm. Jack Namara, at your service." He answered with a twinkle in his eye.

"Well Jack. You just cost me an opportunity with Mr. Bumblelich. What are you gonna do about that?"

 

[TheOlderGuy]

Jesse

Jasmine had class. She brushed me off, and then took me under her wing, breezing me past the security stiffs and into the think of the crowd. I wasn't at all sure what to expect, but I stuck as close to her as I could as she moved swiftly along, seldom in a straight line.

As we headed toward the dessert table, I noticed the Thor making his way out the side door surrounded by more stiffs than Arlington National Cemetery. This gal must be a jogger, cause I was beginning to pant trying to keep up with her. Of course, I was also trying to keep a mental inventory of every face I passed, never knowing for sure which ones might be useful at some later date.

 

[ariosto]

Link looked at her name tag and licked his lips. Actually he was looking at what was under her name tag....oh yessss.

"Petra Sage...PEAG."

She tapped her foot, coldly appraising him.
"Well?"

"Well what? Miss....Sage."
"Your name! You know mine don't you."
She was getting a bit exasperated.

Link keyed his mic again.
"I'm Lincon Karr...Security.
Miss....Sage."

Lincoln Karr! he's got to be kidding, she thought, and what's so odd about my name?!"

He spoke into the mic,
"I'm bringing someone back. She says she's Petra Sage or something. Get this...she works for the
Peoples Extreme Army Group...Yeah the ones that tried to knock off Bumbles last month."

"Wait a minute!"
Petra stepped back but stopped when she saw the small automatic in his hand.
"Better come quietly Miss...Sage. You've got some questions to answer."

He hustled her towards the door behind the speakers platform.
"I knew a Russky spy once called Petra Sagenovitch
any relation babe?"

 

[Thor's Hammer]

Thor Bumblelich

'pinggggggggggg' The soft chime announced the arrival of the private elevator. I looked around, still puzzled that my staff had deserted me. After all, I was important........

I slid my card key into the slot in the elevator and pressed 'P.'

 

[BigDawg69]

“What am I gonna do about it?” I playfully responded. “Well Hell little lady, you manage to get me somewhat close to the Ol’ Boy’s campaign and you and I’ll be runnin’ this show before it’s all said and done with.”

This young woman had more going on behind her pretty eyes, than I had originally surmised. I could see her keen strategic mind churning as she watched the Bumble leave the room. I allowed my eyes to roam over her slender form. She is a beautiful woman. Suddenly my interest in her became more than solely business.

I looked up and watched as the candidate disappeared into the hallway headed for the concierges floor no doubt. A floor I would need a key to get onto.

“Now you have me at a loss. You know my name, yet I still don’t know yours.”

She glanced up into my eyes. There was strength in her stare. She was sending me a message, one this ole country boy got loud and clear. She wasn’t gonna be intimidated by me. Yeehaaw! My hairs stood on end, this gal was gonna be fun!

“Sincereity Rose” Came her matter of fact response.

Little alarms started to set off in my memory banks. I know her daddy or at least know of him. He’s a corporate billionaire, and huge donator to the Bumble’s campaign.

“Well Miss Rose, if you can get me up to Bumble’s floor, I’ll guarantee you a meetin with him, and probably more than one. Of course I reckon you don’t need little ole me for that, now do you?” I could see her look through my broad smile and understand that I knew her daddy got her here, and could get her anywhere. But somehow I knew that she didn’t want anymore of her daddy’s help.

With this I slipped my long arm around her delicate shoulders, and bowed my hat off in the direction of the door.

“May I walk the beautiful lady to the elevators?” I paused just a moment to replace my hat on my head and to grab a bottle of champagne from a passing waiter’s tray. “Or perhaps her room?”

 

[chanaud]

Sin

I threw my name at him and expected the usual gushing of flattery of how brilliant my father is. But, this man was different. It didn't even faze him.

"Well Miss Rose, if you can get me up to Bumble’s floor, I’ll guarantee you a meetin with him, and probably more than one. Of course I reckon you don’t need little ole me for that, now do you?”

I absorbed his words for some time as my brown eyes peered into his. His eyes told me all I needed to know. We both wanted Thor and willing to do whatever.

At the corner of my eye, I saw Thor walking out the room in a hurry. I knew there was another groupie waiting for him. There never was a shortage of them.

This was the closest I've come close to Thor all evening and I wasn't about to blow it.

"Come on. I see him now." I grabbed Jack's hand and led him towards Thor. Interesting. Jack's hands were rough and caloused. Maybe he is a real cowboy.

Just as we got to the elevator, I hear a voice call from down the hall.

"There you are Thor." Damn again. It was Mrs. Bumblelich.

 

[TexasAngel28]

Angela

I stepped out of the room and saw Thor coming out of the elevator. I also noticed a man and woman standing nearby watching his every move. I looked back at Thor and it looked as if he was in one of his moods. Best to save him now...I might get some payback from him later. *wicked grin*

"There you are Thor." I said as I walked towards him. I had chosen a cream colored pantsuit that he'd bought for me on his trip last month and the smile on his face as he looked at me told me I'd made the right choice. "Darlin' you look like you've had a rough day of it already. Why don't we get you changed from these clothes an' you an' I can have a nice, quiet dinner together either in our room or in that wonderful restaraunt downstairs." I took his hand in mine and smiled up at him. Thor and my Daddy had been friends a long time before Thor and I had met. At first I was really mad at Daddy for setting me up with an older man, but as the years had gone by, I realized my ambitions in life were the same as Thor's. He'd never had one reason to complain about having me for a wife. I was a political assett according to his newest political advisor. I'd been raised with politics. My own brother was a senator in his fourth term. I knew how to be the perfect political wife. I stayed out of Thor's way unless he specifically asked for my help and even then, I always let him think the ideas had been his alone.

"Thor, darlin' I was going to ask you something this morning before you'd left, but you were in such a hurry I wasn't able to do so. I think you should find someone to keep our daughter out of trouble while we're here. It won't do you any good if she causes a scandal or gets the press all riled up while we're here."

 

[Thor's Hammer]

Thor Bumblelich

.....just as the door was about to close, I heard Angel (my wife's) voice.."Thor, darlin' I was going to ask you something this morning before you'd left, but you were in such a hurry I wasn't able to do so. I think you should find someone to keep our daughter out of trouble while we're here. It won't do you any good if she causes a scandal or gets the press all riled up while we're here."

Angel was a treat. We shared the same ambitions....we both loved politics and she was more of an asset that all of my so-called advisors put together. I shot my hand out and held the elevator door open. As she stepped in I whispered, 'Sugar dumplin, you are right as usual. Now who would you suggest to be able to keep our little hellion out of trouble?"

As I spoke, I slid my palm over the silky material of her pantsuit. My hand was hidden from the lobby, and I enjoyed every moment of touching her firm ass. We had a sort of unwritten understanding. She knew I loved to play...the chase was more than half the game. And I knew she had some interesting sexual appetites - appetites that included a strange cock from time to time. However, we were never indiscreet....and we shared a depth of feeling that endured the life we led.

'Now tell me, magnolia blossom, who should it be?"