Taking Up Space by Steven Wright

Author:Steven Wright [Wright, Steven]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2018-11-07T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 21

“Your approval ratings are through the roof, Mr. President,” Warren announced to Garrett as they met for their morning meeting. They, along with Douglas, who Garrett appointed as Secretary of Health and Human Services, made a tradition of meeting for coffee every morning before the rest of the cabinet came in to discuss the day’s agenda.

“I like hearing that, Mr. Vice President,” Garrett said. “I’m still getting used to this ‘Mr. President’ thing, but it’s growing on me.”

Warren poured himself and the two others some coffee and joined them on the couch. “Well, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but since we are meeting privately, I should tell you that something has come up recently about Universicare.”

Douglas nodded. “There is some good news, though. I’ll start with the good. The day after you signed Universicare into law, people from all across the country went online and purchased their insurance policies. I was afraid the system would crash from the high traffic volume, but it stayed up the whole time. Right now, we have eighty-five percent of the country covered under the new plan.”

“That’s a great number,” Garrett replied. “I’m surprised that many signed up so quickly.”

“They were desperate,” Douglas said. He paused to add more creamer to his coffee. “Nate Williams had everyone working, and the economy boomed so much that employers were giving some of the best benefits to their workers we have ever seen. People were happy, but when Black Dog struck, everyone panicked and feared for how they would keep themselves alive. That virus really did a number on the entire healthcare infrastructure, and the trickle down effects on the economy was no small matter either.”

“Any news yet on Black Dog being caught?” Garrett asked.

“The Feds are closing in on him. They are following up with every lead and I think it’s just a matter of weeks, or perhaps days, before he’ll be caught,” Douglas replied, turning slightly toward Warren and winking his right eye.

Warren smiled back at him.

Garrett paused before taking a sip of coffee. “What?”

“Hmm?” Douglas asked.

“You winked at Warren. Warren smiled back. What’s going on?”

“Nothing is going on,” Douglas quickly replied. “I just had an eyelash fall in my eye and had to wink to get it out.”

“And he made a funny face when he tried to get it out, so I smiled at him. It was funny. Come on, Mr. President. Loosen up!” Warren said.

Garrett cocked his brow at them both, but they laughed. “It was just an eyelash,” Douglas said. “That’s all.”

“I just found it odd that it happened right after I asked about Black Dog. You know I need that man caught. Are you hiding anything from me?”

“You know everything the FBI told us a couple days ago at the briefing,” Douglas said. “I would strangle him myself if I knew where he was.”

“Okay, whatever,” Garrett said. “What’s the bad news on Universicare?”

“The bad news is those in the medical field are complaining that they aren’t getting enough reimbursements for their services.

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