Chapter 57

One of the crew count us down. When they mouth a silent zero, the cameras come on and we are live.

“Welcome, everyone, to our exclusive interview with Representative Miles Hamilton,” I say. With shaking hands, I clutch my notecards hard, crinkling them, but somehow manage to keep my voice firm and strong. Turning to Miles, I say, “Thank you for being with us today.”

“It’s my pleasure,” Miles answers smoothly. He looks totally comfortable in his chair, back straight but otherwise relaxed. His lips hold a small, friendly smile. If the camera is showing him as I see him, he’s coming off charming and charismatic. It’s almost enough to make me blush.

Almost.

Right now, I need to focus on the job. So I do.

“As the youngest congressman, our viewers are very curious about you. Please allow me to ask you a few questions, and hopefully we can show our viewers an insight into the kind of man you are, Representative Hamilton.”

“I’d be happy to answer any questions you have, Esther,” he says. “But please, call me Miles.”

This time, my cheeks do heat up, but I ignore it.

I lift my cards and begin the interview in earnest. All of the questions have been pre-selected by my co-workers and screened by Miles’s assistants, but many of them are decent, probing questions. Miles, in response, opens up about what it was like to be the son of a Senator…

“I always knew I wanted to follow in my father’s footsteps,” he says. “But I also have many ambitions of my own.”

“For such a young man, you already hold an office of high esteem,” I say, going off script for a moment. “Does your continued ambition mean that you intend run for president someday?”

I mean, in the distant future. Though congress has recently passed legislation lowered the age restriction to be president from 35 to 25, it seems unlikely that anyone that young would actually attempt to run. They’d be going against people with more experience than they’ve been alive.

Miles, as ever, surprises me.

“Actually… now that you mention it.” He laughs. “I was going to admit this anyway, but you’ve beaten me to the punch. You have a keen eye, Ester.”

“You flatter me, Miles,” I say. “But what is it that you want to admit?”

“Simple,” he says. “I’m running for president this election cycle.”

Some gasps sound amongst my colleagues, though we are supposed to be quiet on set. I’m startled myself, but I try not to show it as much on camera. Viewers are going to want more information.

The next election cycle is in about a year. Announcing now, he’s setting himself up to allow time for people to learn more about him. He has months to prove himself the best candidate.

“That is an ambitious achievement for someone so young,” I say, phrasing my words carefully. “Do your own personal goals motivate you in this, or is there something more that drives you?”

“Of course, the role of president provides a level of respect that I would very much like to earn, but more than that, our country deserves better. For too long, we’ve been governed by those who are out of touch with the way things truly are in our country,” he says.

“Some might see my youth as a disadvantage, but I believe the opposite. As someone who has grown up with advanced technology, I have a detailed understanding of how this technology works, for better or for worse. I won’t be fooled by cooperate executives who think if they speak enough jargon, they can get away with anything.

“Above all, what makes a person a good fit for president?” Miles lifts his hands and counts on his fingers. “You need someone honest, who will always tell the people the truth even if it’s hard to hear. Someone brave, who will stand up for our people above all else. And someone who knows the insides and outs of the political world, who will be able to work with the system in place to get things done.”

“Your youth may have people believe that you lack that experience,” I say.

Miles doesn’t miss a beat. He just smiles. “I’ve grown up in a political household. My father hid nothing from me. Every political event, every debate, every town hall, I was right there in the front row, watching and learning.

“While other kids were playing sports or joining clubs, I was meeting congressmen, ambassadors, and even presidents.” He laughs a little. “Esther, you could say that I was born for this.”

I’m in awe of him. For a 25-year-old man, he has so much confidence and charisma. It’s so easy to get caught up in his stratosphere, to feel the hype of him, to want him to succeed. I have no idea how the public is receiving him, but I know how I am. All I want for him is to shoot straight to the top.

“Let’s talk policy,” I say. I’m still holding the notecards, but we’re totally off-script now. Miles’s announcement has thrown everything for a loop. But he’s so easy to talk to that I don’t hesitate.

We are both knowledgeable and we easily bounce topics between each other, as Miles discusses his policies and what he stands for. Mostly, he stays within party lines, but with emphasis that his youth and knowledge give him an advantage in the fast-moving technology race and how to regulate it without hurting progression.

One of the producers wave to me toward the end of our discussion, and I realize it’s time to take viewers calls. The number to call in has been displayed at the bottom of the screen while Miles and I have been talking.

“Now, we’d like to take a few questions from you,” I say to the cameras. “If we could have the first caller, please. Yes… Hello. Thank you for calling Harbinger News Channel. What question do you have for Representative Hamilton?”

“Y-yes, H-hello?” comes the crackly voice of a woman over loudspeaker. “Can you hear me?”

“We do,” I say. “Please tell us your name and your question.”

“My name is Sophia,” the woman says. It’s clear in her voice that she’s older, likely seventies plus. “Before I ask my question, I must tell you Esther, that you are fantastic at your job.”

I startle a little, not expecting that. “Oh… uh, thank you, Sophia.”

“I mean it. You’ve been asking such pertinent questions, and really given this young man a run for his money.”

“She’s right,” Miles says, grinning at me.

I blush again, deeper than before. “Thank you very much, Sophia.”

“I hope to see more of you on this channel,” Sophia says. “Now, young man…”

“Yes, ma’am,” Miles replies, leaning forward. He’s taking this seriously, no matter what Sophia asks.

“Esther’s done such a good job of pushing you on policy and about your age, so my question is a bit more personal than that…”

“I’m ready for it, I assure you,” Miles says.

“Well, most presidents have a strong partner beside them…”

“I’m not quite ready to reveal my vice president yet,” Miles says.

Sophia laughs some, kindly. “Oh, I’m not talking about that. I mean marriage. Young man, are you in any kind of romantic relationship?”