Disorder of Succession, Part 4
This is a continuation of “Disorder of Succession,” released (and occurring) 28 February 2017.
The light rain did not bother Steve Bannon, who had been pacing under a drizzle outside the Executive Residence for over fifteen minutes and had the greywater mop head to prove it. According to his watch, the President’s limousine had been full of everyone but Donald and Melania Trump for nearly eight minutes.
He admired the President’s instinctive hubris. Bannon had not even advised his boss to keep Congress waiting as a display of dominance; Trump was a natural, indeed.
Bannon’s phone buzzed at 8:40 p.m. A text from his assistant.
generals with potus. something is up
Bannon wiped droplets from the touchscreen.
which generals?
joint chiefs. all
mattis?
no
Bannon stepped away from the limousines without a word to anyone. As nonchalantly as possible, with rain camouflaging his tears, Bannon held his phone to his ear and engaged in what any observer would conclude was a heartbreaking conversation about someone who had just passed unexpectedly. He strolled right past the lead Secret Service vehicles along the western drive. He exited the White House gate for the last time, avoiding all eye contact and cycling through versions of, “She had a great life; at least she’s not suffering…”
Listening for the motorcade to come along and deliver him back to his rightful place, Bannon instead heard his hopes washed away by the distinctive whipping patter of Marine One inbound to the South Lawn, no doubt recommissioned for a very special trip. Somewhere on 18th Street, barely steps ahead of history, Steve Bannon renewed a vow to bring about his neo-feudalist vision for America, now by hook, if evidently not by crook.
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The story continues with Part 5: Regime Change, which takes place a few hours later, early morning 1 March.
