“Abstentions?”
No hands went up. She didn’t even bother to call for the affirmative vote.
“Congratulations, Mr. Fowler. Your proposal for a five-minute gate in this year’s California take is hereby approved by vote in committee. Five minutes and not one second more. Rest assured the gate will be independently monitored.” She rapped the table once, formally, with the gravel.
“This committee stands adjourned until tomorrow at one o’clock, at which time appropriations and additional business will be discussed and considered.
“And off the record, Mr. Director,” she whispered out of earshot of the recording secretary, “I hope for your sake that the researchers in your department are more accurate in their predictions than the political pollsters who have been predicting my defeat in every congressional election for the last twenty-five years.”
When the children had finished applauding and the
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WITH FRIENDS LIKE THESE , ..
tourists and senators had left, Wheeling walked down to join his young friend.
“Ready for a drink, Marty?”
Fowler let out a long sigh. “Now there’s a prediction I know I can fulfill. But first I’ve got to call the Coast and then make a stop at the office and tell the staff in person. They’ve worked for this even harder than I have. It’s a great thing.”
“Sure,” said Wheeling. “Tell me, was that sob story on the level, or something you cooked up?”
Fowler grinned. “It was and it wasn’t. I had to rely entirely on the information in that friend’s letter. But I think it’s probably legit, though I had a bad moment when Petterson seemed ready to press for more facts. Anyway, this fellow isn’t in a position where one has to make up stories to get by.”