An Honest Politician

"So how are you settling in?"

Dawn and Joey were approaching the office of Senator Howard White, a relatively new but very much up and coming Member of Congress who was most notable to Joey for being loathed by Kayleigh. Joey himself had never been very political, which he was already starting to realise could be an issue for him here. While Kayleigh had dreamed of working for the Washington Post as it represented the best platform to use her talent in a way that could make a difference to the world, Joey mostly liked that it would make him seem like a big shot.

"My head is still spinning a little. I'm used to reporting on cats stuck up trees, and now we're supposed to be interviewing someone who's being talked about as a future President. It's all a bit daunting"

"We all felt like that when we started here. I came straight from an Iowa paper that had a circulation of less than five thousand. Just follow my lead for today, you'll get used to this soon enough"

Dawn was a whole different kind of sexy to the kind of women Joey usually came across. She was intimidatingly impressive - well put together, accomplished, assertive and fiercely intellectual. Also, while Dawn had been nothing but kind to Joey, it was clear she was someone you fucked with at your peril. He found himself strangely aroused at the thought of being told off by Dawn, a kink nobody else had brought out in him up until this point in his life. He wasn't dumb enough to want that to actually happen though, so he was going to be making a huge effort not to let the fact he was way out of his depths here show.

"So what's your opinion of this guy?" he asked.

"Off the record? A total fucking asshole. As corrupt as they come" Dawn answered in a tone dripping with disdain "He's a slippery fucker though, and covers his tracks extremely well. I'm warning you now, this entire interview is likely to be an exercise in frustration"

Dawn checked her phone again. Joey noticed that she did that a lot. He had assumed it was because she was scanning for any leads that may have come in. In fact, she was carefully monitoring it to ensure she didn't miss any calls from Charlie, who she had yet to hear from since their conversation the previous day.

They soon arrived at the plush office of Senator White and were greeted by a striking attractive PA, who ushered them through to a private room where they were greeted by a slick looking, well dressed, early middle aged man who put Joey oddly in mind of a presenter on one of the more successful shopping channels. Already, he had no doubt Dawn's assessment of their interviewee was entirely accurate.

It quickly became apparent to Joey that his new colleague was extremely gifted at what she did, as he watched her skilfully pose impeccably researched, laser targeted questions that even someone as well versed in the dark arts as Senator White was struggling to elude. Until now, the best journalist Joey has seen was Kayleigh but, with the greatest respect to his friend, it was clear Dawn was operating on an entirely different level here. In fact, Joey was starting to worry just how exposed his limitations were going to become as a result of this partnership. Already, he felt like a mere bystander in the exchange.

Dawn seemed to have the Senator on the ropes when her phone buzzed and she went straight for it.

"Sorry, this really is urgent" she announced when she saw who had texted "I hate to do this, but we need to pause the interview here. I shouldn't be more than five minutes"

Joey could only hope everything with his partner was okay. It seemed inconceivable that she would have halted the interview for anything other than a full blown crisis, especially when things were going so well

"She's good" Senator White admitted, visibly relieved at his temporary reprieve, once Joey's partner had stepped out of the room "But what about you? Do you actually talk?"

"Dawn is taking the lead on this one?"

"Taking the lead?" the Senator laughed "She was doing everything while you just sat there looking at her in awe. You lucked into this job and haven't got a clue what you're doing right? I can see it in your eyes"

"Dawn made the decision to ask the questions today"

"Yeah, because she knows you're not up to it"

"What?"

"Come on kid, just admit it. You can't bullshit a bullshitter"

"Oh can't I?" Joey cocked an eyebrow.

Kayleigh had made her friend promise to keep his lying to a minimum while they tried to establish themselves in the big leagues - but he was pretty sure if she was here right now she would tell him to give it to this guy with both barrels.

"Not to blow my own trumpet, but I'm an excellent journalist. In fact, I'm the greatest reporter you have ever come across, and I've already discovered all of your secrets, every last one of them. But I'm also a fair man, so I'm going to give you the chance to come clean in this interview - that way you might retain a modicum of sympathy with the public. If you don't, I'll expose you anyway, and your career will be over for sure"

Suddenly the cocky grin disappeared from the Senator's lips and the blood seemed to drain from his face. With perfect timing, Dawn walked back into the room.

"My apologies for the delay. We can pick up where we left off now"

"Dawn, would it be okay if I take over for a while?" Joey asked.

"Sure thing. Go right ahead!"

"Senator.." Joey began menacingly as his adversary shifted uncomfortably in his seat "You have always portrayed yourself as a bastion of honesty so, in the interests of transparency, is there anything you would like to tell our readers that you have been holding back from the American public?"

It was fascinating for Joey to watch the Senator trying to quickly calculate the best way to spin whatever scandalous information he was about to volunteer to minimise the damage he was about to do to himself.

"I'm actually very glad you asked me that question. I think it's really important I come clean now on a few things, on the record. The American public have the right to know the whole truth about the people who serve them, however difficult that truth may be to reveal. It's something you don't get with so many of our politicians"

Joey could see Dawn's posture shift out of the corner of his eye, as she almost involuntarily leaned forward with intrigue.

"Go on..." Joey encouraged his interviewee.

"First and foremost, it's vital to state up front that I am both a sex and a **** addict. Those are diseases that I suffer from and have been struggling with for years. It is for that reason, and that reason only, that I've embezzled tens of thousands of dollars worth of donations that were made to my campaigns, something I deeply regret but feel the public needs to know. The entirety of that money was spent on cocaine and prostitutes. I am ashamed to say that, but please understand that I am a good and honest man who has been besieged by a legitimate illness, and who has come forward of his own volition and in good faith, in the hope others battling with these afflictions may feel more comfortable in speaking out and seeking the help they need"

"With respect, Senator.." Dawn was ready to pounce now "You are also someone who has gone to great lengths to portray himself as a devoted family man with old fashioned values, and who has campaigned for harsher, zero tolerance penalties for recreational **** possession. Doesn't that also make you a hypocrite?"

"I can understand how it may appear that way. However, my values and beliefs remain unchanged. My actions were those of the victim of an illness, but I am owning them now and coming clean to you completely by choice"

"Thank you Senator, I think we have all we need" Dawn nodded as she stood to leave.

The ace reporter remained the embodiment of professionalism until the pair left the building, at which point she squealed like a schoolgirl, jumped up and threw her arms around Joey's neck,

"That was incredible!" she told him "I've been trying to land something on that fucker for years and you've completely taken him out in one hit"

"You don't think people will buy the line that he was a victim who chose to come clean, and feel sorry for him?"

"The kind of people who vote for Howard White? No fucking chance, he's done!" Dawn beamed "I don't impress easily, Joey Jones, but you officially have my attention. So come on, what was your secret?"

"What do you mean?"

"Don't be coy with me. You obviously said something to spook him while I was on my call. I could see the difference in his body language quite plainly when I walked back into the room"

"I don't know what to tell you" Joey shrugged, not wanting to lie to someone he already really liked.

"A good magician never reveals his tricks, huh? Fine, I'll get to the bottom of whatever your secret is before too long anyway. I have a nose for these things"

Joey wasn't sure if that was a joke or not.

"I can't in good faith take co-credit for that interview" Dawn decided "Put it in your name, you'll establish yourself as a big hitter in Washington very quickly if you do, otherwise people will assume this was my work and you were just there when it happened"

"Let them assume that. We're a team, Dawn. I'm sure ninety per cent of the time I'll be getting my name on articles where most of the best work was down to you"

"Wow, you're something else, Joey" Dawn smiled, looking genuinely impressed "Okay then. But I'm buying you a celebratory drink while I write this up, and I'm not taking no for an answer"

"You'll get no argument from me"

"Come on, I know the perfect spot" Dawn declared, linking arms with her partner "This piece should pretty much write itself, then we can really get to really know each other"