Volume I, Scene Forty-One
Lee came into Wren's office. "I've been working on that amendment we discussed. How does this sound? 'Regarding persons variously Cylon, human, or any combination thereof, no State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the Earth and the Colonies; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.'"
Wren cleared her throat. "Lee, I told you, you don't have to write the thing yourself. That's why you have staff, who are actually, you know, trained in the law and legal writing. And sir, you already signed a public law that says--"
"I want this in the Articles. I thought you supported this idea."
"And so I do, sir," she replied, leaning back in her chair, "but we've got a lot of work to do before we can present this to the Council. Point of fact, we can't present it, we'll have to find a rep to introduce it for us, and since I'm not entirely sure I trust any of them..." she shrugged.
"Something tells me I'm going to miss the days when we could just strong-arm legislation through the Quorum," Lee lamented.
Wren grinned. "No doubt. But you wanted a fully functional democracy, sir, and that's what you've got."
"Dissidents with bomb threats and all," Lee sighed. "Which reminds me."
"Oh no," Wren said, waving her hands, "we're not going there."
"Wren," Lee said, that crease between his eyebrows.
"For the thousandth time, Lee, I hate having a Marine detail at all. You are not assigning more people to me just because one more loony has crawled out of his hole and blathered about blowing us up."
"Not us, this time. Those threats last week were directed at you, Chief. Personally."
"This is the people bomb guy, right? Didn't that turn out to be made of cookies or something? That thing didn't even have explosives in it. I think he was trying to flirt with me, not annihilate me."
"That's not the point," Lee insisted. "You are an essential component of this administration. I'll sleep better at night if I know you're safe."
"Oh, well, if I'm an essential component," Wren drawled. "I thought you were supposed to be the heart of this administration. Component? Really? That's the best you can do?"
"I thought you didn't appreciate emotional appeals," Lee said. "I'm trying to tailor my argument to you. Work with me, here."
"All right, all right," she laughed. "Points for trying."
"It doesn't bother you?"
"The threats on my life?" Wren shrugged. "Sure. I like living. But if I think about it all the time, I won't get anything done, and having more Marines around is only going to remind me of my own mortality." She shook her head. "And moreover, they get in my frakking way. Which is why I keep ditching them."
"You really shouldn't do that."
Wren smiled sweetly. "Unless you plan on sticking so close to me that your Marines can cover me at all times, I'll keep evading mine."
Lee frowned. "How about a compromise? In the spirit of this fully functional democracy we've set up."
Wren laced her fingers together. "I'll entertain the motion. In the spirit of democracy, mind you. What exactly do you propose?"
"I will cut your Marine detail down to one if you'll let me have Helo and Athena hand-pick your guard."
Wren lifted her eyebrows in surprise. "Just one?"
Lee crossed his arms. "If you get the right person, one's all you'll need."
"Is that fair? I mean, what about breaks? No one should have to spend all their time with me."
"We'll work something out. Can you please agree to this?"
"What's the catch?" Wren narrowed her eyes.
"No catch," Lee said, "just compromise. You only have to put up with one Marine, I know you're safe, works for me. What do you say, Chief?"
"I think we've reached an accord," she said, smiling. "Now, don't you have some work to be doing?"
"All right, all right," Lee said, standing, "I can see where I'm not wanted. I'll just go back to this," he declared, waving the amendment at her. "I was working on a definition of person too." He squinted at the paper. "Bipedal, sentient, at least 80% organic."
"By whose standards sentient?" Wren murmured. "Zarek's going to have a field day with this." She cleared her throat again. "Also, sir, and I don't mean to be rude, but I don't remember putting legislative construction on your agenda for today, either."
"Why shouldn't I have a hand in this?" he demanded. "I'm the President. I represent the people - all the people. The Cylons are part of my constituency and society, so why shouldn't I help make sure that no one can take their voice away? You said yourself that public law can be circumvented and the amendment can't - I want this ironclad."
"First of all, you're misquoting me, but despite your exaggerations, effectively, yes, that's how it works. But presidents don't write policy; they advocate it," she said. "They get to shape policy by swaying public opinion with pretty speeches that other people have written. That's why you have people."
He set his jaw stubbornly. "Isn't there that part where I'm your boss and I get to decide how involved the president is in the process? Will you at least look at this?"
She bit her lip in thoughtful amusement. "Well, run it past Eliza. She's a Reasonable Person."
Lee blinked. "Of course she's a reasonable person."
"No, Mister President, I was speaking lawyer. Eliza is the mythical Reasonable Person from my statutes and case law. She's a biological and philosophical sport. She's the only Aerelon in the universe without drama. Therefore, she's an excellent litmus test. Go show it to her. By which I mean, go through the proper channels, because you can't just go crashing into people's offices like this. It ruins your presidential mystique."
"Ah," Lee said. "I see. I'll go see her. I mean, I'll have her come here."
"Lee," Wren sighed, "I'll have Kinsey call Della. Protocol, sir. Surely you remember from your military training? It doesn't just vanish now that you're officially elected." He made a face at her and left the room.
"Amalia," Wren called through the intercom, "call Kinsey and have him set up an appointment for Eliza with the President."
"One of these days he'll remember, ma'am," Amalia's voice replied encouragingly.
"That'll almost be a pity," Wren murmured to herself.
"How can I help you, Mister President?" Eliza said when she got to the office.
"Ah, Madam Secretary. Wren told me to have you look over this. It's not about education, but she said you were reasonable or something." He handed her the piece of paper. "I'd like to have someone introduce it on the floor of the first People's Council next week. What do you think?"
She read it, frowning a little. "Bipedal? Organic? Don't you have, you know, staff for this kind of thing, sir?"
"Gods, what is it with you people?"
"And a newly minted legislative branch?" she continued.
He snatched the page back. "Fine. You win. Wren wins."
She grinned at him. "Good to see you've gotten used to saying that, sir."