Chapter 61

Chapter 61—The press conference

10:00 a.m., Friday, December 30

James faced the assembled journalists.
“Ladies and gentlemen, I want to thank you for coming out on such short notice. I realize that this is what you do for a living, but I am sure each one of you has a schedule to keep as well.” James knew that each reporter was very happy to be there, short notice or not, but he also knew that you could never be too polite to the press.
He continued, “Allison will make a short statement. After that she will answer a few questions. She has a very tight schedule today, so she won’t be able to take follow ups.” James then turned to Allison and said, “Allison.”
Allison had conducted hundreds of press conferences, but the unusual circumstances behind this one made her uneasy. However, her ability to act, and her immense self-confidence, allowed her to completely mask her reservations. “Ladies and gentlemen of the press, thank you for coming out today, particularly on such short notice.” She paused for a few seconds, and then continued. “I have something very personal to share with you. I hope you will appreciate the sincerity with which I come to you, and afterward afford me and my family some time to heal.”
Allison again paused for a moment, to give the impression that she was speaking impromptu.
“As you know very well, James has for decades served both myself and my husband as a very close advisor, and as a trusted personal friend. He remains so to this day.”
Again she paused, feigning an attempt to gather her thoughts. “Recently, however, our relationship changed. Neither of us ever imagined it would happen, but we became intimate.”
Looking down, she paused for a moment, allowing the assembled to digest what she had just told them. She then raised her head, and made eye contact with a number of the reporters.
“Both James and I regret this indiscretion very much. We apologize to the people of our great land, and to our families, for any hurt this may have caused.”
With those words, a collective gasp swept over the reporters, and advisors alike. No one had ever seen a press conference quite like this one.
“Both James and I are happily married, and we assure you, and our families, that the intimate aspect of our relationship has ended. We both acknowledge that we acted foolishly, and ask your understanding, and our families’ forgiveness. I will now take a few questions.” She barely got those words out of her mouth before the deluge began. “Mrs. Fulbright,” flew from the mouths of every person wearing press credentials. James acknowledged his favorite, Janice Hume, of CNN. “Miss Hume.”
“Mrs. Fulbright, we are floored …”
James interrupted, “Do you have a question?”
 “Yes. How long has this affair been going on?”
“I don’t regard it as an affair. But James and I were intimate on three occasions, starting two weeks ago, and ending last night.”
Again a chorus of “Mrs. Fulbrights” rang out.
This time James acknowledged another of his favorite reporters, “Roger.”
“Mrs. Fulbright, did you just say that it ended last night?”
“That’s correct.”
James then pointed at a network news reporter, “Bob.”
“Mrs. Fulbright, have either, or both of you, discussed this with your respective families?”
“We will do that later. We wanted to make this announcement at this time, before it was dragged through the mud on the blogs.”
Another frenzied shouting match ensued, this time the reporters were jumping up and down trying to get James’ attention. But, as is the case with most press conferences he conducted, James had his list of favorites, and once he had exhausted those, he would end the press conference.
“Yes. Karen.”
“Mrs. Fulbright, you stated that this intimate relationship with James started two weeks ago. Were you ever intimate prior to that date? And, if so, how are we ...”
Again, James interrupted, “No follow up questions, please.” He then looked at Allison.
“James and I were intimate for the first time exactly two weeks ago today.”
James then acknowledged a reporter from a conservative New York newspaper. He really didn’t like the guy, but he thought he could predict the sort of question he might ask.
“Mr. Laskey.”
“Mrs. Fulbright, you know that every reporter in the country will start digging into your past. Are they going to find out that you and James had an ongoing affair, perhaps dating back to your days in the White House?”
Allison had a genuine dislike for this reporter. Without even looking in his direction, she said, “already asked and answered.”
James could barely conceal his amusement at the way Allison dismissed this hated reporter. He then pointed toward the back of the room, and acknowledged another reporter of whom he was fond.
“Larry.”
“Mrs. Fulbright, I’m sure I am speaking for nearly everyone in this room when I ask you this question, why are you making this announcement, at this time. We are not used to public figures making such confessions. Don’t you think this is political suicide?”
“Perhaps so, but we wanted to do the right thing. I think the American people are smart enough, and good enough, to understand what this is all about. We are very sorry it happened. But it did. And we are apologizing for the indiscretion. It most certainly was a mistake, and we want to put it behind us so we can get on with doing the work of the people. I don’t view it a political suicide. I view it as being honest.”
James liked Allison’s response to the reporter’s question. He had hoped for shorter answers, but so far he was very pleased with Allison’s feigned candor. Up to that point Allison and James had anticipated all the questions, and therefore had scripted the answers. However, Allison’s answer to the last question went a little beyond what they had prepared for, and it caused James to think it might be time to start winding up the press conference.
James then spotted the reporter for FOX News. He always had reservations when it came to FOX, but he determined that if he wanted this story to carry the weekend, he had better deal with FOX.
“Gerald.”
“Mrs. Fulbright, my question is on a little different matter. Last night I got a very disturbing phone call from a free lance reporter. He asked me if I was aware of some secret meetings you have had recently. He did not get into detail regarding the purpose of those meetings. I think he was trying to feel me out and see what I knew. Would you please comment on those meetings, or at least tell us if there were any such meetings?”
That was exactly the question Allison did not want to hear, but she knew that she had to respond in some fashion. “The only meetings I know about are the ones with James. They started two weeks ago, and they have now ended. Thank you, ladies and gentlemen. I have to go now. Thank you.”
While the last question caught Allison off guard, she didn’t show it. As Allison turned and walked away, James gathered up his belongings, and followed. Usually, after press conferences, James would stick around and cozy up to the reporters. This time, however, he was too much a part of the story, and thought it best to look for some taller grass.
Janet and Lesley, Allison’s advisors, were still visibly shaken by the whole matter, and they too did not want to be subjected to additional feeding frenzy questions; so they followed closely behind Allison and James.
Once in Allison’s apartment, the discussion and planning continued; but only after Allison had tossed a large book in James’ direction, narrowly missing him. Allison was furious. She kicked Janet and Lesley out of her apartment, and told her Secret Service agent to “take a hike.”
“You sonofabi**h. James, I would never let you touch me. I have too much self respect. How in hell did you ever talk me into this?”
 “Al, didn’t you hear that last question? That is exactly what we are guarding against. That’s what we have to fear. That reporter, the one who called me last night, is out there trying to start a fire. Well, what we did will deflect it. At least for the short term. Until we can get our heads wrapped around it better. We don’t know what they’re gonna say. We don’t know exactly how they intend to use what they’ve got. I think I’ve got a pretty good handle on it, but I’m still doing a lot of guessing.”
James could see that Allison had at least started to listen to him. “We bought some time today, Al. We bought a little time. That’s the best we could hope for.”
“Get the hell outta my sight. Go call your Republican wife. Go do whatever the hell you have to do.” Allison paused for a second. “This better turn out just like you said, or I’ll cut your balls off myself. … And I’ll stick them right down your damn throat.”
James had seen Allison angry before. Usually, however, that anger and those words had been reserved for and directed at her husband. James had observed that Allison often took several hours to calm down when she was this hot, so he took her advice and left the apartment.