Aimee is in her office with her friends.
Lynette: You know, your separation from Carolyn has given me such a headache. Now I have to go all the way to the House just to see her, or risk her thinking I’m a bad friend.
Alec: I really don’t think you need to do that. She could probably stand to get a bit of time away from you.
Lynette: Are you implying something?
Alec: Just that she probably wants some alone time. I mean, don’t we all?
Gwen: That is absolutely not what he’s saying.
Aimee: Lynette, think of it this way: you’re moved up a slot on my best friends ranking!
Lynette: She was ahead of me?
Aimee: She isn’t now! That’s what really matters!
Lynette: I don’t know if that’s true. I’ve long considered you my very best friend.
Gwen: I think this is what they call “Stockholm Syndrome,” when two politicians think they’re genuinely friends and not just workplace acquaintances. It’s deadly, and frightening, and a contagion.
Aimee: You don’t think we’re friends?
Gwen: I mean, I mostly just got roped into hanging out with the two of them because I offered to mentor you. And I only hang out with you because you’re one of the few people in this place that can even stand me!
Aimee: Is that a no?
Gwen: I don’t know. I certainly don’t intend on admitting it aloud, though!
Lynette: I really do hope you can patch things up with Carolyn, though. I do appreciate being your best friend now -
Aimee: I don’t think I said that.
Lynette: I was below multiple people in your best friends ranking?
Aimee: We don’t have to dwell on that.
Denise: Aimee, you have a call.
Aimee: From whom?
Denise: If I tell you, you’re going to make me deal with the call, and I don’t want to do that.
Aimee: It’s Carolyn.
Denise: Worse.
Aimee: Oh, aunt Victoria. I guess I’ll take it. Just give me a minute to see everyone out.
Gwen: We’re being kicked out because your aunt’s calling?
Alec: She’s very wordy. This could take a while.
Aimee: Just better to be safe then sorry. We’ve all got hearings and meetings to get to anyway, no?
Lynette: I’ve actually been explicitly told not to come to the Senate Armed Services Committee hearing.
Aimee: Can they do that?
Lynette: Well, they did it, so…
Gwen: I should start thinking to do that to nuisances on Appropriations. Maybe some will be dumb enough to listen.
Lynette: I don’t know whether to be more offended by being called a nuisance or being called dumb.
Gwen: At least you’re smart enough to know it was meant to be an insult.
Alec: All right, we’ll be seeing you, Aimee. Another good meeting, as always.
Gwen: A little empty, though. We need a new friend. Maybe a Democrat this time. Mildred?
Lynette: She’s a square. How about John Marley?
Gwen: He’s from West Virginia. Is black lung contagious?
Alec: Gwen, that is terrible!
Gwen: Well, is it?
Aimee: See you guys! Denise, hand me the phone!
Denise: Gladly!
Aimee: Aunt Vic, what’s up?
Victoria: Aimee, are you watching figure skating?
Aimee: At work? I can’t say that I am.
Victoria: Do you follow it at all?
Aimee: During the Olympics, yeah. Can’t say I’m a religious fan otherwise.
Victoria: Well I’m not a fan of religion either, I don’t know what that has to do with anything.
Aimee: I wasn’t talking about actual religion. It’s a metaphor!
Victoria: What’s a metaphor?
Aimee: Nothing. Just… nothing.
Victoria: Don’t you get all hostile with me when I’m calling with thrilling news!
Aimee: What’s the thrilling news?
Victoria: A young woman from Vancouver, Washington - right down the road from you - was just now named to the Olympic team!
Aimee: Oh, that’s nice. What sport? I hope it’s not curling. I won’t be able to pretend to care about curling.
Victoria: I just asked you about figure skating. Did you not make the connection?
Aimee: honestly, we got caught up in a debate about metaphors and I forgot what even started it.
Victoria: Her name is Missy Ling.
Aimee: Missing Link?
Victoria: It does kinda sound like that, but no. Missy - as in short for Melissa - Ling - as in beloved TV journalist Lisa.
Aimee: Okay, got it. And what’s her story? Was she not supposed to get on the team? You do seem surprised.
Victoria: She’s pretty good, but she’s an up-and-comer competing against three former US champions, and there’s only three spots on the team. It was a great competition, but Missy kept up her momentum from this season and beat them all. They had no choice but to put her on the team!
Aimee: Well, I love to see a hometown hero succeed. I’ll be rooting for her this year.
Victoria: Have you considered -
Aimee: Oh boy. I’m sure this’ll be good.
Victoria: What I you got in contact with her and asked for a meeting? It’s a good way to support a promising community talent, and also, I want to meet her.
Aimee: I don’t feel entirely comfortable about using my position in the United States government to try and secure a meet and greet for my aunt. You do realize what a bad look that is, don’t you?
Victoria: She’s going over to represent our country on the world’s biggest stage. This is exactly what a senator would be interested in. You have a vested interest in seeing people from our state do us proud and win for our country, no?
Aimee: I can’t say I’ve ever met with any athletes before the games, but I also can’t say I ever recall someone from our area being named to an Olympic team. I’ll give it some thought.
Victoria: That’s all I can ask!
Aimee: I’m gonna get going then. I have a committee hearing to get to. I’ll see you tonight.
Victoria: See you then! Don’t let me down!
Aimee: Buh-bye.
Aimee hangs up.
Denise: Aimee, what committee hearing do you have today?
Aimee: Oh, none. I just use that as an excuse to get out of any situation I no longer want to be in. No one dares to push back on it.
Gwen: You know who I just remembered could join our group? Eleanor Baum! She needs some friends to help her get over… you know.
Aimee: Gwen! What are you still doing here?
Gwen: I was walking back to my office and the thought popped into my head. I just had to tell you before I forgot. I’m going again.
Aimee: Yeah, because I do have that committee hearing to get to.
Gwen: Got it!
Denise: You are devious.
Aimee: I do what must be done.
Denise: So, what was this urgent message your aunt had for you?
Aimee: Oh, god. I think she had a nice intention. She’s just… who she is.
Denise: A lunatic?
Aimee: I think that’s too far, but -
Denise: I don’t think it’s too far.
Aimee: Probably not. Anyway, she called to tell me a local skater was named to the Olympic team, and also wanted me to reach out to her and possibly set up a meeting.
Denise: For her or for you?
Aimee: Allegedly both. I think it’s more something she wants, but she argued that meeting with her would be a nice way to express support for a young Olympian from the area.
Denise: I don’t think it’s a bad idea. Figure skating’s one of the most popular winter Olympic sports, and you don’t often get Olympians from southwest Washington. Maybe you can invite her to your office to just sit down and talk and do a nice photo op. We could even give her a tour of the Capitol and whatever else she wants to do, within our jurisdiction.
Aimee: I you want to reach out to her, or her team, or whoever… that’s fine.
Denise: Does a teen skiing prodigy have a “team?”
Aimee: I really am unfamiliar with the whole sporting world.
Denise: Can’t say I’m familiar myself.
Aimee: We’ll ind a way to get in contact. Can’t be that hard. I mean, I’m a senator!
Denise: Speaking of you being a senator… you do know you do have a committee hearing today, right? It’s right on the calendar.
Aimee: Crap! When does it start?
Denise: Fifteen minutes ago.
Aimee: Okay! What committee?
Denise: Transportation.
Aimee: Ugh. Do you think they’d know I’m lying if I said the Capitol subway broke down and that’s why I’m late.
Denise: If any committee would know…
Aimee: All right, I just won’t elaborate at all. It’s not like Alma has any clue I’m supposed to be there anyway!
Denise: And you take advantage of that.
Aimee: I’m a politician, I’m meant to be shrewd.
Later that day…
Aimee: Victoria!
Dave: Oh, finally, a different ear for her to talk off. Mine is in pain.
Aimee: Has she been going on about -
Dave: The Olympics? Yes.
Aimee: It’s a very exciting world event.
Dave: It’s a month away, no?
Aimee: Yeah, it is.
Dave: Then why do I have to hear about it now?
Victoria: Because it’s thrilling! We have a hometown athlete representing our country on the world stage! She’s going to Milan!
Dave: I’ve been to Milan. It’s not that exciting.
Victoria: Not on behalf of America! She’s skating for national pride!
Dave: There’s not much to be proud of, from my view.
Aimee: Oh Dave, don’t turn into a liberal now.
Dave: Why not? Everyone says you have!
Aimee: Fair enough.
Victoria: Well I’m as liberal as they come and I am still delighted to cheer on my country at this magical time! It’s not our athletes’ fault that President Delphy is destroying America.
Aimee: Presumably some of them did vote for him in swing states, so they’re a little at fault.
Victoria: I don’t want to think about that! I want to think about how they’re all uniting this country for one brief moment in time, and making us proud on a world stage. And one of those athletes is from our area! How can you not be excited about that, Dave?
Dave: I’m happy for her. I’m just not going to rave about it for an hour like you.
Aimee: Anyway, I apologize for adding to your suffering, but Denise was actually able to set up a meeting with Missy Ling. I ran the idea by her and she thought it was a smart thing to do and she’ll be stopping by my office next week and we’ll give her a tour of the Capitol. So if you want to meet her, I’ll let you know when to swing by.
Victoria: This is so exciting!
Aimee: Please remember that’s she’s nineteen years old. She’s still pretty much a kid, and she can’t be used to this sort of publicity and spotlight. Don’t act up.
Victoria: How would I “act up?”
Aimee: You tend to get excited, like a sort of crazed fan. Let’s not do that.
Victoria: I’ll be on my best behavior.
Aimee: Thank you.
Victoria: Can I ask for an autograph?
Aimee: I think that’s totally acceptable behavior. What say you, Dave?
Dave: I believe whatever it is that will prevent Victoria from ranting any more.
Victoria: Autograph it is!
One week later…
Denise: Aimee, Missy Ling and her mother are here.
Aimee: Send them in!
Victoria: I’m so freakin’ excited!
Aimee: Remember… behave.
Victoria: I know, I know.
Aimee: Just making sure.
Denise: The senator will see you now.
Aimee: Missy Ling, hello! I watched your performance at Nationals, and I don’t know much about figure skating, but you were transcendent.
Missy: Thank you, I try my best. I didn’t think I had a chance of making the team, so I just went out there and skated like I had nothing to lose.
Aimee: That’s kinda how I ran my Senate campaign.
Missy: I remember! You were always on the news - my mom watches the local news all the time - doing silly things for fun. And then, uh… well, I don’t want to bring it up in a place like this. But your opponent…
Aimee: Yeah, he ordered someone’s murder. Thankfully, the hitman he hired was a complete idiot, so no one died! But we have better things to discuss! You’re on your way to the Olympics! How’s that feel?
Missy: Most people probably expect me to say it’s the culmination of a life-long dream. I didn’t really let myself dream it could happen. I didn’t think I was good enough. I really have just been doing all of this for fun and for my own sake, not for winning medals or getting acclaim. That’s not to say I don’t put so much into what I do, but with so many incredible skaters, I didn’t see myself ever making the Olympics or even Worlds. It hasn’t really sunk in yet. A week ago, I was a nineteen year-old whose best showing at Nationals was seventh. Now, I’m standing in my US Senator’s office for a tour of the Capitol because I’m representing my country on Olympic ice. I need time to compute that.
Aimee: I get it. I don’t mean to keep bringing it back to you, but I felt the same way in my career. I thought “maybe I’ll get to Congress, but I’ll never get to the top.” I just knew Washington was too blue for me to ever win statewide. But, I jumped in and decided to take a go at it. I was planning on that senate run to be the cap on my career. Instead, it started a new chapter. The most exciting chapter. I didn’t even dream it was possible, so it took a while to get used to it. It’ll sink in eventually.
Missy: I feel like we’re oddly alike.
Aimee: I agree! Although, I bet you’d be a better senator than I’d be a skater. Put me on skates… it’ll look like a baby giraffe learning to walk.
Missy: That would be amusing for me! Could we arrange it?
Aimee: I think let’s just get on with the tour.
One hour later…
Elle (Missy’s mom): Did you know she’s currently studying mathematics at UW? She could’ve gone to Colombia, but they weren’t willing to let her work around her skating schedule. She was planning to retire rom skating and transfer next year, but now with this…
Missy: You don’t need to brag, mom. It’s uncool.
Elle: Everyone should know how impressive you are!
Aimee: I’m incredibly impressed. Not to imply our state is lacking talent, but I really am always amazed when I see such a talented young person hailing from our state. And for you to be from Vancouver, in my neck of the woods, I’m just so happy you’re representing us.
Geraldine: Why, Aimee, I didn’t know we had a guest. Who’s the young lady?
Aimee: Geraldine, this is newly-named Olympic figure skater Missy Ling!
Geraldine: Nice to meet you, Missy!
Aimee: And Missy, this is Senate Minority Whip Geraldine McAllister. She is Oklahoma’s senator.
Missy: I’ve never been to Oklahoma.
Geraldine: Not much ice back home! We have indoor rinks, though!
Missy: That’s what I usually prefer to skate on. Mom dosen’t let me skate on any frozen ponds.
Aimee: Neither did my mother!
Victoria: My mother did. See this scar? That’s what it’s from.
Aimee: I think maybe let’s not show our scars to people we met an hour ago?
Missy: No, I don’t mind. She’s kinda fun. A little wacky, a little whimsical. I like wacky and whimsical.
Victoria: Why, thank you!
Geraldine: I’m going to leave y’all to your little tour. It was so nice to see you. Good luck in Italy!
Missy: Thank you!
Aimee: So, what next? You want to ride the congressional subway?
Missy: That’d be great, but I actually have a question for you first.
Aimee: Fire away!
Missy: I don’t know you so well, but I’ve really enjoyed our time together, and you are in the government so I think this would be something you could do… it would mean a lot to me if you came out to Milan to cheer me on. It’s gonna be a great Olympics, there’s so much to see.
Aimee: Wow! I would definitely like to! I’ll see if I can.
Victoria: What about -
Aimee: Yeah, you can come along. If I go.
Victoria: You’re going!
Later that day…
Cherie: My darling Aimee, what’s prompted this call?
Aimee: Mom, I’m going to the Olympics!
Kimmy: The Olympics? Aren’t you a little old for that?
Aimee: Am I on speaker phone?
Cherie: It’s the only way I can hear it!
Aimee: I’ve been invited by the skater from Vancouver that I met with today. She really is a sweet young lady and she asked me to come cheer her on, and we’ve got a recess scheduled then, so I’m gonna go. Would you guys like to come with us?
Ernesto: I don’t know I that’s a great idea for your mother, with her cancer and a-
Cherie: We’ll be there. I’ve always wanted to see Italy.
Kimmy: Am I being forced to travel to Italy?
Cherie: You’re an adult, you’re free to stay home if you so desire.
Kimmy: No, I’m going. It’s Italy.
Cherie: So you’re just trying to give your cancer-ridden mother a hard time?
Ernesto: Would we expect anything else?
Aimee: This is gonna be an amazing family trip!
Cherie: Do you know if you can visit the wineries this time of year?
Aimee: I think we’ll be more focused on watching the Olympics, no?
Cherie: I’m going to Italy. I’m not spending the entire two weeks watching a bunch of people pushing a rock with a broom and riding an ice slide.
Ernesto: She makes a fair point.
What did you think of this episode of Evergreen Aimee? Let us know in the comments and make sure to read a new episode next week!
