America 1982-Chapter 545 - 110: Preparing to Show Off Muscles_2
His Jessica should have been humming a tune while doing chores at home, or playing with the dog in the backyard, driving the kids to the supermarket for shopping, instead of sitting in a wheelchair now, with an unhappy face.
"Do you have the courage to face your opponent head-on? Do you really have it, Jeff?" Tommy asked with a smile, looking at the tall, good man in front of him.
Jeff nodded, "Of course."
"Good. Just before I rushed to the hospital, there were several violent incidents in the Eighteenth District where veterans attacked Cuban-Americans, claiming they were influenced by your performance in the primary debate on TV," Tommy informed Jeff of the news he had received.
Jeff was stunned and, after a dozen seconds, he finally asked, "No~ My God~ Are those who were beaten severely injured? I... I mean those veterans who hit them, were they all influenced by me?"
"Not seriously, but there were many witnesses; the severity of the injuries doesn’t matter, just like Jessica’s injuries could change any moment as the situation evolves. What’s important is the voters’ attitude toward you, your courage to face it head-on..." Compared to Jeff’s shock, Tommy still maintained an unconcerned expression, speaking gently. 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢
Jeff interrupted Tommy, "Of course I have the courage to face those veterans, and I want to ask them why they did it, I..."
"Not to confront those veterans who injured people, but to have the courage to face the victims. You need to visit those Cuban-American victims in the hospital," Tommy corrected Jeff.
Jeff’s facial expression turned awkward. Although he had never encouraged the veterans to harm anyone, since his campaign started, his comments had always targeted Cuban smugglers—almost equating him with a white racist in the hearts of Cuban-American voters. Facing those injured Cubans, he didn’t even know what to say; besides an apology, he was at a loss for words.
With this in mind, he asked, "Should I apologize on behalf of the veterans to them? I’m willing to do that."
"Exactly, you need to apologize, say you’re extremely sorry about the incident, that you had no knowledge of it occurring, but that you completely understand why the veterans did what they did," Tommy said.
Jeff didn’t argue, but Jessica, who had been all ears sitting in the wheelchair, reacted, "You want Jeff to admit that the veterans’ assault is related to him? He’ll be torn to pieces by the Cubans! He can’t go see those Cubans!"
"Shh~ Calm down, Jessica." Tommy raised his index finger to his lips, making a quieting gesture toward Jessica, "You’re injured, don’t talk."
"I don’t want to attend my husband’s funeral in a wheelchair, Tommy. When are you ever going to leave us alone? I don’t want to be a wheelchair-bound widow," Jessica said discontentedly.
Tommy pushed the wheelchair and moved Jessica to the doorway of the restroom attached to the hospital room, positioning her face towards the bathroom: "Use this time to learn how an amputee uses the bathroom, Jessica."
Leaving Jessica to stare blankly at the bathroom, Tommy walked back to Jeff and continued, "I had someone check the timing specifically; the veterans’ assault happened three minutes after Jessica’s traffic accident. It’s a bit of a stretch, but it can serve as an excuse. You need to tell those injured Cubans that it was an accident, and it’s very likely the enraged veterans acted after hearing that Jessica was maliciously forced to stop and injured by Cuban smugglers. You apologize on their behalf, and then, by the way, say something to make the Cubans feel disgusted."
"Do you think they’ll forgive me just because Jessica was injured?" Jeff frowned, raking his hand through his hair with some doubt.
"Of course not. If they haven’t been emasculated by Castro and are still men, they should show you some colors. Of course, if they don’t dare, Page will arrange for someone to act on their behalf, like throwing paint on you to humiliate you. Then you have to show them your power," Tommy said considerately to Jeff, "You might as well pick a color you like, I’ll tell Page to prepare it."
"My power? What power do I have? You and Martin and the others?" Jeff asked, puzzled.
Tommy looked at Jeff: "Veterans from four cities are driving to Miami to attend a rally organized by the Crossroads Foundation, the foundation I established. The founders of seven Christian sects in Florida will also rush over to support you and give speeches to canvass votes for you during the rally. That’s a part of the power you show when you’re provoked."
"Haven’t I always been the one giving speeches and canvassing for votes?" Jeff was even more surprised to hear that Tommy had arranged for others to hold the rally and campaign for him.
Tommy walked to the bathroom door and wheeled Jessica, who had already cursed him out several times, back in, saying, "Your attendance isn’t required. This is a show of muscle. This couldn’t have been orchestrated by Eliana Leti. This is internal action of the Democratic Party against you. They don’t believe you have the strength to win the election, or they think you are nothing but talk. That’s why they are giving you trouble. This rally you don’t need to attend is meant to prove to them what you have besides a mouth."
"Then why get the founders of seven Christian denominations to speak to the veterans?"
"First, on a public level, this gathering needs to clarify it has nothing to do with you, even if the whole world knows they support you. Second, I believe that if those seven founders take turns giving speeches, and if those veterans with limited education can still be self-aware, there’s only one possibility, he’s definitely a Soviet Communist spy hiding in America." Tommy looked at Jeff:
"The point is to make it clear that if there’s anyone in the Democratic Party who still thinks you’re just a plumber, then you make those veterans who have been to the battlefield and have blood on their hands and are now brainwashed ruin everything for the Democratic Party in this district, so they won’t stand a chance to win here for the next thirty years."
"So what should I do?"
"During the rally, you go to the Miami Police Department with Martin and team members, as well as some reporters, and declare your intention to donate a sum of money to the Miami Police Foundation. Tell them that a large number of veterans, who have experienced the Vietnam War, hope you can help them communicate with the police department. They don’t want any compensation; purely out of a simple patriotic reason, they are willing to volunteer for several hours a week as auxiliary police to help fight crime among illegal immigrants in the Eighteenth District."
"This is indeed a great idea!" Jeff’s eyes lit up after hearing Tommy’s words: "Veterans willing to volunteer as auxiliary police every week? That would be tremendously helpful for improving district security!"
"Jeff, even I understand what this guy Tommy is getting at!" Jessica, pushed in by Tommy in her wheelchair, became agitated when she heard her husband still thought Tommy had a good idea:
"He’s trying to tell those people in the Democratic Party that if they don’t give a reasonable explanation and compensation for framing you for inciting veterans to beat up Cubans, Tommy will have those brainwashed veterans go out and beat or even kill Cubans in your and the Democratic Party’s name."
Tommy nodded to Jessica and said, "Jessica, you’re as shrewd as Jeff’s Hillary."
Then he looked up at Jeff: "That’s roughly the idea. If the Democratic Party dares to knock you out of the race in this district, you’re going to knock the Democratic Party out of the race here."
