(no subject)
Title: Change
Word Count: 599
Rating: General
Original/Fandom: Smallville
Pairings (if any): Martha Kent, OCs
Warnings (Non-Con/Dub-Con etc.): None
Summary: It was her turn to advise.
Link: https://riverotter1951.livejournal.com/921368.html?newpost=1
Where had the years gone? It seemed like yesterday when I had arrived in Washington as a newly elected Senator. There was a knock on her office door, "Yes?"
It's Ms. Adams, Senator. The new junior Senator from Kansas is here to meet you."
“Send her in please." And years ago, I was the junior Senator new to Washington. When Senator Burke choose not to run for reelection, he told me to it would be my turn to advise the new Senator. "Come in please and take a seat."
"Thank you Senator for agreeing to see me." She sat and swallowed.
"First rule, in this room, it is Martha and Penelope unless there is a nickname you prefer."
"Penny please."
"Would you like a drink Penny?"
"Lime Perrier on ice please."
“Here you are." She poured a glass of ice tea for herself. "That was a brutal election especially when Mister Luther backed your opponent."
"My mother told me not to let anyone degrade me and not to fight dirty. Getting the endorsement of Senator Burke helped. Plus his campaign manager offered to advise me."
"Next, you need to decide whether you keep all of Senator Burke's staff, some of them or start fresh. I started fresh but then they were all my late husband's staff."
"What would you recommend?"
“Keep them and see how the dynamics work out. You might discover that different people are more suitable in different positions depending on your needs." She paused and then, "Redo your office with furniture that speaks to you. You are entitled to paintings from the National Gallery so see what you like."
"Thank you for the advice. Anything else?"
She picked up her phone, "Ms. Adams, please join us."
“Yes, Ms. Kent," as she stepped in.
"Any advice for Ms. Chapman?"
"A little. Address your chief of staff by first name in private. Take a daily walk before work with your chief of staff and focus on anything but politics so you can enter your work day with a clear head."
"So you are what in here?"
A laugh, "Muffy. As a blue eyed blonde, I get underestimated all the time."
"Martha, could you spare Muffy for a few days so she can help me settle in?"
A smile, "Ask her yourself. She knows my schedule and hers."
"Muffy could you help me?"
"Let me look at the schedule," as she took out her Smartphone. "Unfortunately, this week is crazy but I can give you Monday thru Thursday next week."
"Thanks."
"By the way, Penny would you like to join us for our morning walks starting tomorrow?"
"Sure, what time and when?"
"Seven a.m. by the Vietnam Memorial. We walk for an hour before starting our day."
"Then tomorrow at seven a. m. Thank you Sen oops Martha."
"See your tomorrow Penny."
After she left, "Opinion Muffy?"
"It'll be different with a woman instead of Tim. His staff will be in for a change."
"That will be good. I wonder how many of his staff will resign or find other jobs. Please help her with the transition. It was hard for me seeing Jonathon's staff daily." She swallowed, "And replacing them was harder. Senator Burke was so helpful with his recommendations."
"I remember that first month. It was challenging. You hired me with my first job to box up his office and send everything to your farm to go into the barn."
"It was too hard to walk into so I'm glad that you were quick."
"So now what?"
"Grab your schedule and let's get started on the week.”