Forging America: My Campaign Manager is Roosevelt

Next time, if another Luigi appears, the FBI will just arrest them for domestic terrorism, without even having to step foot in a State Court.

This will be enough to deter those restless mobs.

As for thirty years from now?

By then, they’ll be long retired, cashing in on their generous stock options and sunbathing in Florida.

They took out their phones and sent a short message to their respective bosses:

"Sentence handed down. Thirty years. Crisis averted."

They began to straighten their ties, ready to head out for a late lunch.

Within this system, they were still the winners.

...

「Harrisburg. Late at night.」

In the study of the Governor’s Mansion, Bob Campbell sat in a high-backed leather chair, holding a glass of whiskey, neat.

The television screen was showing footage from the Philadelphia courthouse.

Luigi Randall was raising his shackled hands, an image that was frozen on screen and replayed over and over.

"Thirty years."

Campbell took a sip of his drink, the harsh liquid sliding down his throat.

It was a delicate verdict.

It wasn’t harsh enough to make an example of him, and instead created a living martyr.

It wasn’t light enough to placate the radicals, and instead gave them a reason to keep stirring up trouble.

It was a result that left everyone dissatisfied, yet one they all had to accept.

This was the beginning of the chaos.

There was a knock on the door.

Without waiting for Campbell’s response, Aston Monroe pushed the door open and walked in.

The Vice Governor was dressed in a black suit tonight, his expression somber.

Monroe walked to the desk.

"Governor."

Monroe’s voice was low and he spoke quickly.

"Luigi’s sentence is out. I assume you’ve already seen it."

Campbell nodded and pointed at the television.

"I saw. The young man is lucky. Or rather, Leo Wallace is lucky."

"It’s not just luck."

Monroe shook his head, a perfectly measured amount of anxiety in his eyes.

"The moment the sentence was announced, Leo Wallace’s side made their move."

"My sources tell me the machine in Pittsburgh is running at full speed."

"Frank is rallying the unions, and Sarah is issuing new calls to action online. They’re packaging Luigi’s sentence as the system’s cruel persecution of the people."

"They’re saying Luigi went to prison for everyone who can’t afford medical care."

"They’re fanning the flames of this anger all the way from Philadelphia to Harrisburg."

Monroe took a deep breath, a worried look on his face.

"Governor, they’re preparing to force you out."

"Leo wants to use this public sentiment he’s stirred up to drive you out of office for good."

Campbell looked at the subordinate before him, his face a mask of loyalty and anxiety.

He’d been in politics for forty years; he’d seen countless masks.

The mask on Monroe’s face at this moment was flawless, practically perfect.

’Just a few weeks ago, this was the very man who had formed an investigative committee against him.’

’And now, here he was, playing the part of the loyal watchdog.’

Campbell felt a wave of irritation and disgust.

"Aston."

Campbell cut him off.

"Spare me."

Campbell waved a hand. "We already have a deal. You don’t need to put on a show for me. This act of yours is exhausting."

"Get to the point."

Campbell set down his glass, the bottom clinking sharply against the tabletop.

"Aston, did you really run all the way over here this late just to tell me a mob is preparing to burn down my house?"

"Of course not."

Monroe straightened up and adjusted his tie.

"I’m here to help you solve the problem."

"The situation is more complicated than we thought."

Monroe walked over to the liquor cabinet and poured himself a drink as well.

"Just now, I got a call from Washington."

"The Democratic National Committee is putting on the pressure."

Monroe turned and looked at Campbell.

"They’re very unhappy with the situation in Pennsylvania. They believe your weakness and indulgence are what allowed Leo Wallace to grow so powerful."

"They said if you can’t control the situation, it means you’ve lost the ability to lead."

"They’re demanding I take a stand."

Campbell’s expression didn’t change. He even managed a faint smile.

"What are they asking you to do? Kill me?"

Monroe stepped closer to Campbell and lowered his voice.

"They’re demanding I criticize you publicly."

"They want me to hold a press conference and, as the Vice Governor, accuse you of poor oversight."

"They want me to push all the blame onto you. To say that your administrative failures led to this healthcare crisis and the social schism caused by the Luigi case."

"They want me to cut ties with you."

Campbell looked at Monroe, his eyes glinting with amusement.

"So, what are you going to do?"

"I agreed."

Monroe’s reply was decisive.

Campbell raised an eyebrow.

"Don’t get me wrong, Governor."

Monroe explained hurriedly.

"This is to preserve the bigger picture."

"If I don’t agree, Washington will just find someone else to do it. They’ll use that investigative committee, they’ll start impeachment proceedings, and they’ll destroy the political reputation you’ve spent decades building."

"Besides, if I don’t cooperate, I’ll lose support within the Democratic Party. If that happens, after you leave office, I won’t be able to take over this mess, and I won’t be able to protect your legacy."

"To keep my position in the party so that I can take the bullets for you later, I have to attack you in the media."

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