Джеффри Арчер - The Prodigal Daughter

‘Florentyna Kane is delighted to accept the invitation to debate Ralph Brooks and looks forward to the encounter.’

During the week, Edward appointed a representative to consult with Brooks’s campaign manager in determining the time and place for the debate.

The Thursday before the primary was the date agreed to by both sides; the venue was to be the Bernard Horwich Jewish Community Center on West Touhy. Once the local CBS-TV affiliate had agreed to cover the debate, both candidates knew that the outcome of the election might well depend on the confrontation. Florentyna spent days preparing her speech and answering questions shot at her by Edward, Janet and Richard. It brought back memories of Miss Tredgold and their preparation for the Woolson Prize Scholarship.

On the night of the debate every seat in the Community Center was taken. People were standing at the back while others sat on windowsills. Richard had flown in from New York and he and Florentyna arrived a half-hour before the debate was to begin. She then went through the ordeal of television makeup while Richard found himself a seat in the front row.

She was greeted by warm applause as she entered the room and took her seat on the stage. Ralph Brooks arrived moments later to equally enthusiastic applause. He pushed back his hair rather self-consciously as he strode across the floor. No woman in the hall took her eyes from him, including Florentyna. The chairman of the Ninth District Democratic Congressional Committee welcomed them both before taking them to one side to remind them that they would each make an opening speech, which would be followed by a question-and-answer session, and then they would be invited to make a closing statement. They both nodded; the chairman had only repeated what had been agreed to by the two candidates’ representatives days before. He then took a new half-dollar from his pocket, and Florentyna stared at the head of John Kennedy. The chairman spun the coin and she called heads. Kennedy looked up at her again.

‘I’ll speak second,’ she said, not even hesitating.

Without another word, they walked back onto the stage. Florentyna took a seat on the right of Edward, and Ralph Brooks sat on his left. At eight o’clock, the moderator banged the gavel and called the meeting to order. ‘Mr. Brooks will address you first and then Mrs. Kane will speak.’

Ralph Brooks rose and Florentyna stared up at the tall, handsome man. She had to admit it: if a film director had been casting for the role of President, Ralph Brooks would be given the part. From the moment he started to speak, Florentyna was in no doubt that she would not have to travel beyond Chicago to face a more formidable rival. Brooks was relaxed and assured, his delivery was professional without sounding glib.

‘Ladies and gentlemen, fellow Democrats,’ he began. ‘I stand before you tonight, a local man who has made his way in life right here in Chicago. My great-grandfather was born in this city and for four generations the Brooks family have practiced law from our offices on La Salle Street, always serving this community to the best of our ability. I offer myself today as your candidate for Congress in the belief that representatives of the people should always come from the grass roots of their community. I do not have the vast wealth that is at the disposal of my opponent, but I bring a dedication to and care for this district that I hope you will feel surpasses wealth.’ There was an outburst of applause, but Florentyna could see several people who were not joining in. ‘On the issues of crime prevention, housing, public transportation and health, I have for several years sought to promote public good in the courts of Chicago. I now seek the opportunity to promote your interests in the United States House of Representatives.’

Florentyna listened intently to each well-delivered word and was not surprised when Brooks sat down to applause that was loud and sustained. The chairman rose to make Florentyna’s introduction. And when he finished, she stood up — and wanted to run out of the hall. Richard smiled up at her from the front row and she regained her confidence.

‘My father came to America over fifty years ago,’ she began, ‘having escaped first from the Germans and then from the Russians. After educating himself in New York he came to Chicago, where he founded the hotel group of which I have the privilege of being chairman, right here in the Ninth District of this city. A group that now employs twenty-seven thousand people in every state in America. When that career was at its zenith, my father left this country to fight the Germans again and he returned to America with a Bronze Star. I was born in this city and went to high school not a mile from this hall, a Chicago education that made it possible for me to go to college. Now I have returned home wanting to represent the people who made my American dream possible.’

Loud applause greeted Florentyna’s words, but she noticed once again that several people did not join in. ‘I hope I will not be prevented from holding office because I was born with wealth. If that were to be a disqualification, Jefferson, Roosevelt and Kennedy would never have held office. I hope I will not be prevented because my father was an immigrant. If that were the case, then one of the greatest mayors this community has ever known, Anton Cermak, would never have worked in City Hall, and if I am to be prevented because I am a woman, then half the population of America must be disqualified along with me.’ This was greeted with loud applause from all parts of the hall. Florentyna drew a deep breath.

‘I do not apologize for being the daughter of an immigrant. I do not apologize for being wealthy. I do not apologize for being a woman and I will never be apologetic about wanting to represent the people of Chicago in the United States Congress.’ The applause was deafening. ‘If it is not my destiny to represent you, I shall support Mr. Brooks. If, on the other hand, I have the honor of being selected to be your candidate, you can be assured that I shall tackle the problems that Chicago faces with the same dedication and energy I put into making my company one of the most successful hotel groups in the world.’

Florentyna sat down to continuing applause and looked toward her husband, who was smiling. She relaxed for the first time and stared into the hall, where some people even stood to applaud although she was only too aware most of them were on her staff. She checked her watch: 8:28. She had timed it perfectly. That week’s ‘Laugh-In’ was due on TV and the Chicago Black Hawks would be warming up on another channel. There would be a lot of changing of channels in the next few minutes. Judging by the frown on Ralph Brooks’s face, he was equally aware of the scheduling.

After questions — which brought no surprises — and the closing statements, Florentyna and Richard left the hall surrounded by well-wishers and returned to their room at the Baron. They waited nervously for a bellboy to deliver the first edition of the papers. The overall verdict was in favor of Florentyna. Even the Tribune said it had been a very close-run affair.

During the last three days of the campaign before the primary, Florentyna pounded pavement, pressed flesh and walked the entire length of Michigan Avenue. She collapsed into a hot bath every night. She was wakened by Richard each morning with a hot cup of coffee, after which she started the whole mad process over again.

‘The great day has at last arrived,’ said Richard.

‘Not a moment too soon,’ said Florentyna. ‘I’m not sure my legs can go through anything like this ever again.’

‘Have no fear. All will be revealed tonight,’ said Richard from behind a copy of Fortune .