Chapter 205

“I don’t do interviews anymore,” Maxine tells me as we stand side by side in the studio at channel 12, looking at the set where she and Miles are soon to sit down for a televised discussion.

“I know,” I say. “I can’t thank you enough for committing to this.”

“A favor for a favor,” she says. “I’m glad to finally be out of your debt. You’ll notice my grandson hasn’t had any more costume debacles since then.”

“I always have a sewing kit ready, just in case.”

“I’m a quick learner,” Maxine says. “So do I.”

She smiles at me good-naturedly, which I return.

When Miles approaches the set, his hair and makeup ready, she excuses herself. The two of them meet and shake hands on set in front of the cameras.

Per an earlier agreement, the interview will be pre-recorded before it’s aired, though the news channel has agreed to let us see the edited footage before anyone else. They promised minimal edits, which was fine with our camp. Miles had a slip-up at the debate. That isn’t going to happen again.

“Pleasure to meet you, Miles. Fair warning, you have a steep hill to climb today. At present, Edward Zimmer has my vote, as well as that of many of our countrymen.”

“I look forward to convincing you to give me another look,” Miles says with a calm, comfortable smile.

Maxine is a great interviewer because she has a way of making people feel disarmed enough to reveal truths they might have otherwise kept hidden. As a grandmother, she certainly gives off a grandmotherly vibe, especially now as her hair has turned white and her wrinkles are more prominent.

I’ve already warned Miles not to lower his guard, though. Maxine may play nice, but if she has a hard question, she’ll wait until you’ve lowered your defenses, then go straight for the jugular. Years of experience have also given her the innate ability to detect any bullshit being shoveled her way too, at least in person.

I can only hope, out of fairness, she will wish to speak with Edward. He’d likely set off all her alarm bells if she could hear him talk in person.

Maxine gestures for Miles to sit, but Miles insists on waiting for Maxine to sit first. It’s a little funny, watching them try to out-polite the other. Eventually, laughing, they both sit at the same time.

“Now, Miles. Let’s start with the elephant in the room. Your performance at the first debate was… heated, to put it gently. What caused such an outburst in you, and do you now regret being that crass?”

We’ve practiced for this question. Miles, stubborn as he is, still didn’t want to admit fault, but for the good of the campaign, I was at least able to talk him out of being so overt about his hatred for Edward.

“Without base or merit, Mr. Zimmer chose to attack the reputation of one of my staff members,” Miles says. “He continues to do so in smear ads. I’m very protective of my staff, which led to the incident. I certainly wish that I would have conveyed my dislike of such tactics with more… eloquence.”

“So you regret how the sentiment was conveyed but not the sentiment itself?” Maxine asks.

“I protect my staff as I wish to protect every citizen in this nation,” Miles says. “The emotion I showed was genuine. I cannot and will not pretend to be anything but who I am. That’s my promise to the people. Though I will continue to work on my phrasing.”

Maxine tilts her head slightly, as if studying Miles. “It is unusual for a politician to reveal all sides of himself, even the sides that might be frowned upon by some.”

“With respect to all my predecessors and fellow representatives, you don’t always find honesty to be the chief virtue in a politician.”

“But you are different?”

“Yes,” Miles says. “My outburst was crass, and I apologize for that. But I believe it proves my sincere nature.”

“So we can expect you to be honest with us today?”

“Absolutely.”

As the interview progresses, for as much as Maxine disarms Miles, she herself seems equally disarmed by him. By the end of the interview, they are laughing and chatting as friends. Miles makes sure to mention policy, but it is never hammered in unnaturally.

Watching, it feels like I’m part of a genuine conversation between two like-minded people.

“Thank you for this talk today, Miles,” Maxine says. “I can honestly say it’s been a real pleasure.”

“I won’t ask who you are voting for,” Miles says. “Frankly, it’s not any of my business. But I hope you’ll take a second look at me.”

He’s speaking to Maxine, but he means it for the entire watching public.

Maxine thanks him again, and the cameras cut.

Even with the cameras off, Miles and Maxine continue talking. I stay to the side, not interrupting, incredibly proud of Miles.

This is the man the public should see. He genuinely cares about everyone and their issues. He’s passionate and funny, but knows when to get down to business. The only reason I can see why someone might not want to vote for him is if they honestly don’t believe in his policies.

Even then, I’m hoping we can change a few minds.

When we leave the studio, sitting back in the car, Miles is so hyped up that he immediately says, “I want another debate with Edward Zimmer.”

I look at him sideways. “Are you sure that’s the best idea?”

“I won’t mess it up this time,” he says, self-assured. “Let me face him again, and I’m sure I can outshine him.”

When he’s as confident as this, it’s difficult not to believe him.

“I’ll make it happen,” I say. “But I think, this time, we might want to bring in a debate coach to help.”

Looking at me, he asks, “Aren’t you my debate coach?”

I give him a look that says, Every time we tried to practice in the past, we ended up making out.

Even though I didn’t say any words, the message comes across loud and clear.

“A debate coach sounds good,” he says. Softer he adds, “So long as I still get in some private practice with you.”

Blushing, I roll my eyes. He already knows he will, so he laughs at my reaction.

I call around, finding the best debate coach who has consistently helped previous members of Miles’s party to success. Mr. Fin Anders is expensive, but highly regarded. He’s also willing, so I make the arrangements.

Yet, the moment Mr. Anders walks through the door, he glares at me as if I’ve personally offended him. The debate prep team consists of Miles, me, Crystal, and two other staff members. Mr. Anders only seems to take offense to me.

He’s all smiles as he’s introduced to the rest. To Miles, he shakes his hand and says, “It will be a pleasure to work with a future president.”

“Thank you,” Miles says smiling.

But then Mr. Anders looks back at me, his brown eyes full of obvious distrust and malice. “One request I have though…”

“Name it,” Miles says, still charmed by the man.

“I want this woman out of this office at once,” Mr. Anders says, pointing directly at me.