house of cards 1

Chapter 7

Politics means sacrifice, of course at the expense of others.No matter what a man can get by sacrificing himself for the country, there is always more to be gained by letting someone else go to the front as a human shield first.As my wife always says, when you seize the moment, you seize the moment.

"Brilliant, Roger, isn't it? Majority again. I can't tell you how excited, how relieved, how happy I am. What a mix of emotions. Well done, well done! The chairman of one of Grunt & Poor's major retail accounts poured the effusive words into O'Neill's ears, without any noticeable effect.The potbellied industrialist was just amusing himself, sweating and smiling.Although the government has just lost its first two seats tonight, the atmosphere has now completely turned into a victory celebration.

"Thank you for your compliment, Harold. Yes, I think a majority of [-] or [-] seats is enough. You have the credit for it." O'Neill replied, "I told the Prime Minister a few days ago, You've shown us more than a corporate donation. I remember the speech you gave at the industry association luncheon last March. Gosh, it was brilliant. Sorry I might have to say something inelegant, You are so overwhelmed that the information you want to convey has reached a climax. You must have been professionally trained, right?" Before the other party could answer, O'Neill continued, "I told Henry, oh, sorry, it's the Prime Minister! I told him you have How great, we need to find more platforms for industry leaders like you. Send us the most direct views."

"I'm sure it's not necessary." The Navigator replied, with no trace of sincerity in his tone.Champagne had taken away his natural vigilance, and the ermine furs adorning the house, and the whole Great Hall of the House of Lords, seemed to him heaps of possessions. "After all this is over, would you like to have lunch with me? Find a quieter place? I have some ideas that he might be interested in, and I'd love to hear your thoughts." His eyes radiated Showing a warm expectation, making the eyeballs stand out.He took another swig of wine. "Speaking of ups and downs, Roger, tell me, your little secretary—"

Before he could utter the next word, O'Neill sneezed several times like a volcanic eruption, causing him to bend down deeply, his eyes were bloodshot, and it was impossible to continue the conversation. "Excuse me," he said, trying to regain his composure as he wiped away the snot. "Hay fever. Keeps messing with me." To emphasize the seriousness of his symptoms, he began blowing his nose again, sounding like so many horns and An ensemble of bass drums. The moment of "good conversation" was over, and the industrialists avoided him in fear.

The government has lost another seat, this time for a junior transportation official, a fledgling, newcomer to politics who has spent the past four years at the scene of major highway accidents across the country.Behind him was a group of media reporters.Over the years he had developed a religious conviction that the human capacity for violent self-sacrifice was limitless, but this belief did not mean that he could accept his own "horrific death."In the face of difficulties, he always shrinks his head and shrinks his tail, but now his wife has already cried into tears.

"The situation with the government continues to be difficult," Arisdell commented. "We will wait and see how the Prime Minister reacts to this. In a few minutes we will broadcast the results of the Prime Minister's election live. In the meantime, what is the computer's prediction? He pressed a button and turned to look at a huge computer screen behind him. "It's closer to thirty than forty, that's what it looks like."

Discussions began in the studio as to whether a thirty-seat majority would sustain a government until the end of a new term, but commentators kept getting interrupted as more results started pouring in.Back at the ad agency, O'Neill bid farewell to the group of overenthusiastic businessmen, trying to squeeze his way through Penny's growing crowd of more and more chatty admirers.Despite the group's outcry, he pulls her aside and whispers something into her ear.At the same time, the ruddy Sir Arisdell announced loudly again that the result of the Prime Minister's election would be announced soon.The reveling crowd fell into an awed silence.O'Neill returned to the group of industry leaders.Every pair of eyes is glued to the screen.No one noticed that Petunia packed her satchel and slipped out quietly.

The studio has just announced the seats the opposition has taken from the government.Tonight's results were not particularly brilliant.Then it was Collingridge's turn.As soon as his face appeared on the screen, it attracted loyal cheers from the employees of "Grunt & Poor".In this wave of celebration, many people have already forgotten their political inclinations.Whatever it is, it's just an election.

Under the gaze of billions of eyes, Henry Collingridge waved to everyone, and the bright smile on his face showed that his attitude towards the result was far more serious than the audience.His acknowledgment was very official, not much to write home about.His heavily painted face was pale and gray with exhaustion.For a while, everyone watched quietly, even a little solemnly.When he stepped off the podium quickly and started the journey back to London by long-distance coach, everyone started to revel and celebrate again.

A few minutes later, a burst of screaming broke the happy party atmosphere, "Mr. O'Neill! Mr. O'Neill! Someone is calling for you." The security guard who supervised the terminal raised the phone receiver in the air and pointed at the mouth with some drama.

"Who is it?" O'Neal asked across the room.

"What?" the security guard asked nervously.

"Who is it?" O'Neill repeated.

"Can't hear you." The security guard shouted amidst the din.

O'Neill clasped his hands to his lips like a microphone and asked again who was calling, this time with a voice and volume that could have won a roaring contest on Lansdowne Road.

"It's the prime minister's office!" screamed the frustrated security guard, unable to control his volume and unsure if he should say the catchy phrase.

Sure enough, his words had an immediate effect, and the whole room fell silent instantly.O'Neill immediately gave way to the phone.He walked obediently, trying to appear modest and down-to-earth.

"It's one of his secretaries. She will help you connect with the Prime Minister." The security guard said in awe, and gratefully handed over the important task in his hands to O'Neill.

"Hello, hello. Yes, I'm Roger." After a short pause, "Mr Prime Minister! I'm so glad you've called! Congratulations! It's great looking so far! I My old father once said, no matter if you win five to zero or five to four, as long as you win it is good..." He looked around and found that every face was facing his direction, " What did you say? Oh, yes. Yes! That's very kind of you. I'm at that agency right now, witnessing this moment."

Now the room was so quiet that the swaying of the fig leaves could be heard.

"I think they've done an amazing job and I certainly wouldn't have been able to do my job without their help...Can I pass that on to them?"

Covering his mouth with his hands, O'Neill turned to the silent but utterly ecstatic onlookers, "The Prime Minister asked me to thank you on his behalf for helping him run a fantastic campaign." He said your working relationship Serious." He continued on the phone and listened for a few seconds, "He won't ask you for a refund!"

The house erupted in thunderous applause and cheers.O'Neill held the microphone up in the air so that every applause could be heard on the other end.

"Hello, Prime Minister. I want you to know how thrilled and honored I am to have received your first phone call since being elected...and I am eagerly looking forward to meeting you. Yes, I will I'll be back at Smith Square... of course, of course, see you then. Warm congratulations again."

He gently put the handset back on the phone holder, his face full of honor.He turned to the crowd in the room, and suddenly a big smile broke out, and the crowd started a series of cheers, everyone rushing forward to shake his hand.

They saluted him with a loud chorus of "He's a Jolly Good Boy."In the car facing the street, Penny put away the car phone and put on lip gloss in the mirror.

(End of this chapter)