So I have a note on my desk: “CREATE!”
Gosh, even I annoy me.
Let’s try this …
The Morning After—
He: “I can’t believe I won. I actually won.”
She: “Yes, you did.”
He: “I saw the support at the campaign stops, heard the cheers, but I didn’t think enough people would actually cast their votes for me.”
She: “You said a lot of things a lot of people wanted to hear.”
He: “Yes, but there were so many who didn’t want to hear what I had to say. This nation is more divided now than it ever has been in its history. So much open anger and hostility.”
She: “True.”
He: “And as seemingly an impossible a task as getting elected was, the real work is just getting started. I think I’m just beginning to understand what an impossibly huge task is in front of me. Such an … awesome responsibility.”
She: “I believe in you.”
He: “Thank you. In spite of everything that has been said about me, about you, about us, about my campaign, I’ve never doubted that.”
She: “I know you are up to this.”
He: “But what if I’m not? What if it all is too big for me? America has put its faith in me … what if I don’t succeed? What if I fail everyone? What will history say about me?”
She: “They’re going to say, ‘He was the greatest president we ever had.'”
He: “They’ll say, ‘He was the greatest fool we ever elected, and he destroyed this country.’ What was I thinking? How could I even dare to compare myself to the likes of George Washington or Thomas Jefferson?”
She: “They were flawed men. No one, not even you, is perfect.”
He: “I appreciate that you don’t let me forget that. The press also enjoys pointing it out on a daily basis.”
She: “They don’t know you like I do.”
He: “Good thing, or we might not be where we find ourselves today. I am now president of the United States of America.”
She: “It’s truly amazing.”
He: “It’s truly terrifying. So much to do, even before I take office. I need to get my cabinet in order, find the best advisers . . . .”
She: “Come up with a plan on how to redecorate the White House!”
He: “Ha! I’ll leave that to you, of course.”
She: “Your first decision as president!”
He: “President. Of the United States of America. I can’t believe it. We actually won.”
She: “You have overcome so much to get here, such long odds, so many hardships. You have gotten up every time you’ve been knocked down. Now this moment is at hand. You will show them all why you were chosen, why you are absolutely the best person to lead this great nation.”
He: “I hope you’re right.”
She: “I know I am, Abraham. I know I am.”