Excerpt Jack and Bud jilted by the DNC

Time flies,

 it hardly seems possible that just three months ago Bud and I were summoned to the Washington Offices of Henry Baines Truscott, the head of the Democratic National Committee. We were happy Bud thought we were getting the call. Before the meeting we imagined all the possibilities of being officially endorsed by the party. It was the feather in our cap that could propel us forward. It would sure make things a lot easier lining up the party faithful.

"They want you to run," Bud whispered just before we were ushered into the corner office of the Chairman. "They’re making the right move they know you’ll bring a lot of votes in on your coattails. It was rare to see Bud this excited. There was a spring in his step, he literally beamed with anticipation.

Henry Truscott was a tall impish man of Scotch – Irish decent. He was young looking at forty-five, but the new Chairman of the DNC had a weak looking build. His most imposing feature was his shoe polish black hair worn slicked back over his high forehead. Henry had eager looking eyes exaggerated through the amplification of thick lens-end black rimmed glasses. He was driven to gain political power as a substitute for his lack of physical prowess. Everyone who knew him recognized at least that.

"Gentlemen," Henry beckoned us to a large antique conference table.

Speaking through his trademark toothy grin, "Jack so glad you could make it." He said, extending his hand forward.

"Bud it’s always good to see you, have a seat," motioning to the large high back leather chairs positioned evenly around the dark oak table, "of course you know the speaker."

The Chairman was joined by the former Speaker of the House Herb Farley, a white-haired three hundred pound bear of a man with a triple chin and double stomach. The speaker held out his meaty paw to shake our hands. I didn’t know the speaker personally, we’d met casually at a few Washington Parties, but our paths didn’t cross too often. I did know he wasn’t to be trusted, his reputation as an opportunist preceded him. But, that could be said of most the Hill, after all, who wasn’t looking out for their own ass in this town.

"Jack, I’m a fan of your work in the Senate," he boomed. The speaker’s forehead was damp with perspiration around the edges of his hairline. He pulled a handkerchief from his pocket to wipe it.

"Thank you Mr. Speaker," I was guarded, but always friendly.

"Call me Herb, please Jack."

Excerpt Jack, Sandy and the racecar

Drive,” I said, and with both hands on the wheel at ten and two, I asked Sandy “are you ready?” Before she could answer, I pressed my foot down on the pedal. The tires spun, smoking for a second on the slick cement floor. I smelled the hint of burning rubber as we laid our first 10-foot strip.
We were off!
“Hold on Sandy,” I warned as we slowed quickly to negotiate the first turn.
“Please be car...eful,” Sandy pleaded as we tore through it. The thick rear of the car fishtailing, tires screeching, turn by turn we made it to the ground level. We tested the acceleration racing full throttle the entire length of the floor. I hit the brakes hard skidding right through the exit booth. The attendant raised the traffic arm just in time.
Ceramic Brake Pads built to withstand enormous heat allowed the car to stop faster than it accelerated 60 to zero in a mere 2.3 seconds…on this stop I could’ve used another tenth second for Sandy’s sake.
“Oh my God Jack you almost hit the bar, you’re the last guy on earth that should own a car that goes this fast.”
“Oh Honey, I knew we weren’t gonna hit the bar. This car was made for this type of handling.”
I really did know it as fact, in practice this morning, me and the kid worked it out. I slipped him a twenty.
“You think that was fast you haven’t seen nothing yet!”
“No I really have,” Sandy grabbed tight to the armrests.
Looking only to my left I hit the gas and we flew out into the street.
“Jack are you sure…?”
I answered by putting the pedal to the floor, “We’ll just take her around the block.”
We could feel only mild vibration as we tested the claim of zero to sixty in 2.5 seconds. We were momentarily pinned back in our seats.
“Wow!” I said. Driving as fast as I could barely stopping at one corner before speeding up to the next, each time announcing to Sandy how fast we’d gotten up to.
“She just kept saying “You’re gonna get us killed.”
“The last run was our best, Sandy sixty-eight!” I told her proud of myself. When we got back to our starting point we turned into the garage. I stopped briefly, thanked the attendant and grabbed a ticket.
Sandy said, “Pleeease Jack can we just take it easy now?”
The cockpit was relatively quiet, even with all the commotion we created. Tires screeching, rear end fishtailing, burning rubber all the way to the third level.
On the way up, I told Sandy, “It sounds worse than it is!”
“Off!” One final command and the powerful machine instantly fell into motionless repose.
“Jack! Driving with you feels like sitting in a rocket sled perched on a banana peel. I feel like I just lifted off in the space shuttle, you’re impossible! Really Jack, you try sitting in the death seat with someone driving like that! I nearly put my foot through the floor trying to stop the car myself.”
Sandy threatened with a look like she’d never get in my car again. This time I think she meant it.
“We have to take the elevator this skirt is too tight for me to climb stairs.” I was laughing exhilarated as we hurried towards the exit. Sandy was trying her best to keep up, one hand on my shoulder the other on my arm for balance. I pushed the button and showed her my watch, “See we made it.”
“Jack we’ve only made it to the elevator,” she said slightly exaggerating her out of breath. She was shaking a bit. I grabbed her by the shoulders and looked down deep into her eyes,
“Don’t worry I sent everyone a text before we left to hold off for 20 minutes, I just wanted to take you for a ride and have some fun. Wasn’t that an awesome adrenaline rush?”

Sandy and Jack

Spent the entire weekend from 5 a.m. to midnight on the final edit - will blog about the process - here's a brief excerpt: 

“Great Jack, I’ll put together a tentative list and we’ll go over it when you can focus.”
Sandy turned and did an exaggerated one foot crossing the other walk, accentuating her hip movements as she left the room. If she wasn’t getting my attention in the room she was determined to get it going out.
Bud shook his head, “She’s a tease.”
“She’s right Bud, you don’t give her much credit, remember she graduated cum laude from Boston.”
“In journalism, for Pete’s sakes Jack, get real.”
“You just don’t like reporters.”
“No really, don’t you think it’s odd that in all the years you’ve known Sandy she’s never had a boyfriend. Hell, I don’t ever remember her having a date?”
“What are you getting at?”
“She’s a beautiful women Jack, where I come there’s a line around the block for a girl like that.”
“Well for one thing she never stops working, you know sometimes she’s texting me late into the evening.”
“She should put herself out there, get married.”
“I’ve begged her to take some time off but she never does.”
“What a waste.”
Bud was right Sandy didn’t have much of a personal life, it was my fault, I had her managing both the Campaign Administrative Staff and the Senate Office.
“I never thought I’d say this, but we may be working the girl to hard Jack.”
“I’ve taken her out a couple of times after work for Martinis.”
“Does she ever mention her personal life?"
“Not really, we talk mostly about work and me being President. She really wants it for me.”
Sandy usually accompanies me on business trips to help me stay organized. She’s a kindred spirit and knows first hand the difficulties of being a Senator.
“Jack running for President can rip you apart if you are not ready. I just hope she understands that we’re in a dogfight, any misstep in this arena and they’ll eat us alive. You know how I worry.”
“Relax she knows we’ll do whatever it takes to win.”
“But can she keep it to herself?”

Brief Excerpt Jack Canon's American Destiny

Sandy Collins, my assistant, sticks her head in, peeking around the door, "Morning Jack, how you doing?"  Check out my Website to read more...   www.gregsandora.com

Working hard on the Edit and about my blog

My Blog is meant to be fun, informative - I'm going through a new process and learning - it's so much fun. Those who know me understand my humor - so take the blog with a grain of salt and laugh along when I rant - Speaking of editing it's  Hard work though - got my instructions from the Chief Editor what to look for and corrections, then stayed up late into the evening to get the job done.  I work full time and write usually 10 PM after our shows until midnight or 1 AM.  Sometimes this blog will be raw because you can get a little punchy late in the evening.  I am so grateful to God for the opportunity.  Thanks to all my friends old and new who have watched the video book trailer - where I'm from a small town in Maine just outside Portland it means a lot.  Anyway If you're reading this you are part of the making of Jack Canon's American Destiny.  Named for my Grandfather who proudly made his way through life raising three beautiful daughters, who then raised four of their own, each prettier than the next. And, for my son Canon - smart, handsome, caring - he doesn't care now - but, I'm hoping it means something to him later.  I've used names of some of the most prominent people in our lives - Casie my stunningly beautiful little girl is the nurse and her wonderful friend Becca inspired the mission worker who devoted her life to the children.  The list goes on and on - Bill and Steve Mitchell - we discussed it - in addition to our plans to walk the way someday soon - which Kathy and I are looking forward to.  The story has tenderness, love, danger, murder, betrayal, fantasy, cruelty, lust, and all the emotion I could pack into 334 pages.  The woman are beautiful just like in my real life - the men take action are decisive, make no apologies - and don't look back.  I Love to write, and am greateful to everyone who follows this blog...do me a favor and watch the trailer and like  it on youtube or link to friends on facebook - it means alot...

I had fun making the trailer to Jack Canon's American Destiny

Check out the Book Trailer and leave a comment.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1iZWIKjmKMA

Excerpt from a story I'm working on...

Galloping through the English Countryside Elizabeth could feel the warm breath of her Royal White Steed snorting the wind. She didn’t know this would be their final picnic together. Jumping from her prize mount she ran into a meadow clutching her basket.

Go to www.gregsandora.com to read the rest.