One Hand On The Podium Read Online Free

there.”
    “This plane, it’s the same one, you’re sure of it?”
    “Same one. You bet! It took me over ten years to locate that baby on a base outside London, England. They’d taken the damn wings and engine off the fuselage and crated them up. But I’ve got the whole thing. Not one piece is missing.”
    “So, you might say it’s a little something to take home to show off to the relatives?”
    “Hell no. Besides, I don’t have one fucking relative alive anyway.”
    “Then what?”
    “If you will hold on to your damn horses, I’ll tell you, Spencer, I’ll tell you.” The colonel shifted in his seat, agitated with his impatient interrogator.
    “Okay, I’m listening,” Alex sheepishly replied, holding his hands up as though to surrender in frustration.
    “You see, although I’m not an attorney, I do have a political science degree. I earned it in the service while stationed in Germany in my younger days. I then completed two years of law school in England. I realized awhile back I had the smarts to use my education for more important things than sitting around in this damn office barking orders at these wimpy, soft-hearted, green momma’s boys. Between you and me, fella, I’m so sick of this fucking Air Force I could puke! Don’t get me wrong, I’m proud of what I’ve done. I love my country, but, hey, I’m ready to move on, Spencer. You got me?”
    “Well, there’s nothing wrong with that.”
    “I have my sights set on a seat in Congress.”
    “Congress, well, that’s very interesting! That’s a big jump, sir.”
    “Sure is, and I have no doubt in my mind that with a little hard work I can get myself elected next term.”
    “That’s less than two years from now, Colonel. I hear it takes tons of money to finance a successful campaign, even for local races.”
    “Money’s no problem. I’ve got plenty stashed away back in St. Louis.”
    “St. Louis? You’re from St. Louis? Not Illinois, huh?”
    “Spencer, you are looking at the man who is going to represent the Third District in South St. Louis, my old stomping grounds. That’s where I grew up.”
    “Your parents were from there?”
    “Yeah, but they were both raging alcoholics. Who gives a shit about them? They never wanted me. The old man died in a factory accident and my mom killed herself in a mental institution. An uncle raised me. I hated that fucker. But, thankfully, he’s dead now too. Change the subject.”
    “I’m sorry for your loss.”
    “Aah, whatever. I did okay without ‘em. Do you realize where I could end up after a few years on Capitol Hill? I can see the headlines now: ‘Congressman Simon Moss Elected to U.S. Senate.’ Who knows how far I can go.”
    “You have some mighty lofty aspirations there, Colonel, but you still haven’t told me why you want the fighter plane.”
    He stared directly at Alex and sat up a little straighter in his chair. “Honoring those who served as a war memorial and of course, for the publicity!”
    “Publicity?”
    “Makes sense, doesn’t it? That plane will be my stepping stone to everything I‘ve dreamed of. Listen up, Spencer. You see, I’ve been retired for quite a few years. I’ve just been hanging out here at this rat trap, getting my life in order before going on to the next phase. I’ll set up an office, hire a staff, and hit the campaign trail. I’ll steamroll through St. Louis and Missouri with a media blitz like it’s never seen before. I’ll use every cliché in the book — kissing babies, shaking hands, smiling for the TV cameras, giving speeches, and doing interviews. When the time is just right, I’ll unveil my trophy.”
    “The jet plane?”
    “Now you’re catching on, Spencer. Right! I guarantee you the good citizens of Missouri will be mighty impressed to see they could have a real live war hero representing them and their district in Washington. Nothing like a tour of the Show Me State, the war hero and his winged prize, to nail down a much