11/1/2001
St Louis, Missouri.
Constantine: So we are in agreement, then?
The scene opens to Constantine sitting on a beautiful wooden desk. His body language is laboured but his features are remarkably younger looking. His top button on his shirt is undone and his tie hangs almost lazily from his neck. He looks down at the similarly exhausted looking woman sitting before him as she sighs and gives a small nod.
Constantine: We have to provide this great state with a united front, Janice, there is no doubt about it. The state needs it, the country needs it.
The older woman straightens up in her chair, using one hand to clear away her grey hair from her eyes.
Janice: I don't like this, John. If Aitken knew that I was bending towards your whim, I'd find myself out of a job.
Constantine lets out a derisory snort and immediately cuts the woman off.
Constantine: You leave your whip to me, Janice. And don't lose sight of what's important here. The people of this great state elected us both to office. They put us in office to look after their best interests. Healthcare is an evolving system, it needs to be brought into this century. Closing a hospital and channeling those funds into this state will help us bring new jobs, a more stable economy and if we're lucky another 6 years in office.
Constantine slumps from atop his desk and kneels down beside the older politician, steeling himself for the crux of the conversation.
Constantine: You have to go against your party, Janice. The party system just throws up barriers on the road to evolution and progress. Aitken is still stuck in the middle ages. We simply can't have it all any more. Someone has to lose out so that someone else can win.
Janice shakes her head, closing her eyes in the process.
Janice: All those people, John. All those people who have families and mortgages. We're just kicking them to the kerb. The electorate will never forgive us.
Constantine: They will, Janice. If we stand united. I reached out to you because I knew that you would see sense; that you would understand that our jobs as members of Congress is to make tough decisions. Unity, Janice. That's what is needed.
Constantine takes the hand of his Congressional opponent and partner.
Constantine: Tomorrow at the press conference, we need to be united. Tell me I can count on you.
Janice hesitates, pondering the implications of such an alliance. After a few tense seconds she lets out a soft and smile and nods. Constantine had won this round.