I walked into the cafe and sat at the table beside the potted plant, just as I had been told to do. Just as I sat down my briefcase a waitress came to take my order.

     "Two french vanilla cappucinos and a blueberry muffin, please," I said. I had been told what to order as well, and waited for the waitress to ask why one man needed two drinks. Oddly, she just said she'd be right back with my order and left. When I looked away from her I saw why. The seat across from me, which was empty when I had sat down, now had an occupant.

      The man was wearing a black three piece suit with a red undershirt and a black tie. He had pitch-black hair, and darker sunglasses. 

      "Senator Jackson's doing well," he said. His voice was familiar, he must have been the one I spoke to on the phone. "Heard he might take the nomination this year, maybe even the White House."

       "Unfortunately, yes," I replied. The waitress returned and sat down our drinks and put the muffin in front of me. I slid it across the table as she walked away.

        "Want half," he asked, holding up the muffin.

        "No thanks. I'd rather hear your opinion on Senator Jackson's chances."

         He shrugged, ate a piece of the muffin and said, "Sentor Jackson's popular. I think he'll go all the way, so long as nothing harm's that popularity." He must have known I was going to ask, because he quickly added, "And no, I don't think anything will. The senator is a pillar of the community."

          I sighed and said, "Well, that's unfortunate."

          "Should I go to plan b then Senator Kelley?"

           "I suppose it's our only choice."

            "Very good sir." He then stood up and left. He took his cappucino and my briefcase with him. The blueberry muffin remained lying on a napkin across from me. I began eating what was left and took a moment to feel sorry for Jackson. I knew him and he was a good man, and a good senator. Unfortunately, I just don't think he'd have been a good president. Not as good as me at least, no matter what the voters might think.