Imagine a Supreme Court Justice and a billionaire--I did.
A story told against a backdrop of Nazi memorabilia. Fitting.
Ed. Note: Sometimes fiction helps you understand things that nonfiction does not. This fictitious account chronicles the possible relationship between a Supreme Court Justice and his billionaire donor. (“The characters and events depicted in this posting are fictional. Any resemblance to names or incidents is entirely coincidental.”)
The setting: An undisclosed location deep in the Dallas suburbs. A man, Carl N. Hrow, sits in his counting room, separating piles of $100 dollar bills, known affectionately as “Benjamins,” for the likeness of Benjamin Franklin on the front, from the bins full of lower denominations. Stacks of $500, $1,000, $5,000, and $10,000 bills, which are no longer printed, but still in circulation, sit off to the side for recounting–-a favorite pastime.
Hrow sits back and heaves a satisfied sigh that every bit of his small home cash reserve of $1B is accounted for. Mrs. Hrow (Kitty) knocks meekly—her reverential code to request entry to her husband’s dark den.
HROW: Do come in, my dear. I assume everything is ready for our guests this evening. Has the car been sent ‘round to pick up Thomas and Ginger yet? I don’t want this evening to drag on any longer than it has to.
MRS. HROW: Yes, darling. Driver reports they’re on their way. And, of course, we’re ready, as always, for their visit.
HROW: Did you practice your talking points?
MRS. HROW: Of course. How long have we been doing this now–20 years? I’ve not only memorized them, but practiced all the pivoting transitions, sounding as natural as you please. And Ginger is only too eager to go along. Such a twit.
HROW: (Laughs, knowingly.) Truer words were never spoken, my dear. (They hear sounds of a car moving up the driveway.) Look sharp. The car’s pulling up now.
MRS. HROW: Show time! (They both laugh uproariously.)
(They stand a little off to the side as the butler opens the door. They then walk up to greet the Clarences.)
HROW: Hello! Welcome! (They exchange cheek kisses all around.)
MRS. HROW: Cocktails on the veranda? It’s such a lovely night.
THE CLARENCES, in unison: Sounds great!
(On the veranda)
JUSTICE CLARENCE (accepting a brandy): Thanks, Carl. You must have remembered, this is my favorite place every time I come to your Dallas spread. The statues are in clear view!
HROW: Yes, I remember how much you like them. But I don’t remember which one is your favorite – Stalin, Hitler, Lenin…?
JUSTICE CLARENCE: C’mon, Carl. You know–my favorite is the same as yours…
HROW: Adolph, then.
JUSTICE CLARENCE: You know it. The others don’t even come close!
HROW: Yes. Mein Fuhrer—the gold standard of great leaders. The others are just cheap imitations, really. Except for our own recent great leader. Gone, but not forgotten, eh, Thomas?
(Ginger comes closer to join in the conversation)
JUSTICE CLARENCE : You know it, Carl. We’ve got the manpower now to bring him back, as long as some of the new ones don’t wimp out.
HROW: Very true. But I’m just a little worried about Barrett. She showed some signs recently of going off the reservation.
JUSTICE CLARENCE: Yes, on the North Carolina Supreme Court case?
HROW: The very one.
JUSTICE CLARENCE: Yes, a little surprised when she didn't readily buy into the argument that state courts could police federal elections in a way that could not violate the U.S. Constitution. Doesn’t quite live up to her American Enterprise Institute vetting…a little concerned about that. And as this case goes, so too will the one giving state legislatures the right to decide how presidential electors are appointed. That’s central to deciding Trump’s president even if he loses not only the popular but also the Electoral
College votes.
HROW: You know your intersections, Clarence!
GINGER CLARENCE: Of course I’m been doing my part, Carl (while looking affectionately toward her husband). And so far, no one’s had the juice to stop me. (Giggles) I guess it pays to know people in high places—right, Dear Friend?
JUSTICE CLARENCE: You got that right, Snookems! (They smooch.)
MRS. HROW: (Looks off to the side to avoid the Clarences’ unsavory PDA.) Let’s go in to dinner, shall we!
BOTH CLARENCES: Grand–we’re starved!
(After dinner. In the HROWS’ study.)
HROW: So, how do you think the other five will do once the mifepristone case comes out of the Fifth Circuit?
JUSTICE CLARENCE: (Winks) Well, Carl. You know I’m not at liberty to discuss Court business. But, since this is just a hypothetical question at this point, I feel perfectly comfortable saying it looks good.
HROW: I sure hope so, Clarence. We’ve got to nip this abortion thing for good. Not that I want all these poor women to have children. …
GINGER: No argument there…
HROW: But the bigger issue is this woke culture that’s gone way too far in guaranteeing rights. Rights, schmights…it’s got to stop! We’ve got to return a culture to this country where there’s a natural hierarchy of decision-making, with smart, business-oriented thinkers at the top, and weak feelings-types at the bottom where they belong.
GINGER: Plus, people in our strata know we can always book a flight to Europe or somewhere if one of our own needs to stop a pregnancy. Daddy has worked hard all his life to preserve the rights of the wealthy. And reducing taxes preserves the freedom of people who count.
ALL IN UNISON: So true!
(After a while, the evening has worn down. Before the Clarences leave, talk turns to vacation plans.)
HROW: So, Thomas and Ginger, this year we’re thinking of Israel and a few other stops in the Middle East. Benny would love to see us. Thinks this Court protest thing will die down soon, even though it still seems in high gear for the moment (chuckles, ruefully).
(The Clarences look at each other, frowning.)
GINGER: Naw, you know, I think that could pose a conflict of interest with the whole Jewish thing. Don’t you, dear?
JUSTICE CLARENCE: Yes, could be a problem.
(The Hrows look at each other, fleetingly, dumbfounded, thinking: Since when has “conflict of interest” been a problem?)
HROW: Of course, of course. Very judicious. Maybe South America, then? It’s not as much to our liking politically as it used to be. But there are certainly enough of our type there to share in a good time!
(The Clarences laugh and nod.)
HROW: And you, Ginger. How’s your lobbying group doing? Short of
cash again?
GINGER: Well, I suppose we could always use more…
HROW: No problem, sweetie…I’ll text my CFO tonight.
(After the Clarences leave)
MRS. HROW: Well, I think that went well, as usual, don’t you?
HROW: Well, I was a little concerned about what he said about Barrett. I hope he can bring her around on the North Carolina case. That’s key to fixing the election next year.
MRS. HROW: Make sure Finance gets that money transferred tomorrow.
HROW: Don’t worry. I always do.
–trg