‘I saved you money,’ Gus said mildly. ‘They were asking for a dollar – I made them take half that.’
‘Which was exactly fifty cents more than I intended to give.’
Gus smiled and shrugged. ‘Shall we have lunch?’
They went into the dining room. When they had ordered, Gus said: ‘The President was glad you could make it to the reception at the White House.’
‘I probably shouldn’t have taken Gladys,’ Lev said. ‘Mrs Roosevelt was a bit frosty with her. I guess she doesn’t approve of movie stars.’
She probably doesn’t approve of movie stars who sleep with married men, Greg thought, but he kept his mouth shut.
Gus made small talk while they ate. Greg looked for an opportunity to ask his favour. He wanted to work in Washington one summer, to learn the ropes and make contacts. His father might have been able to get him an internship, but it would have been with a Republican, and they were out of power. Greg wanted to work in the office of the influential and respected Senator Dewar, personal friend and ally of the President.
He asked himself why he was nervous about asking. The worst that could happen was that Dewar would say no.
When the dessert was finished, Gus got down to business. ‘The President has asked me to speak to you about the Liberty League,’ he said.
Greg had heard of this organization, a right-wing group opposed to the New Deal.
Lev lit a cigarette and blew out smoke. ‘We have to guard against creeping socialism.’
‘The New Deal is all that is saving us from the kind of nightmare they’re having in Germany.’
‘The Liberty League aren’t Nazis.’
‘Aren’t they? They have a plan for an armed insurrection to overthrow the President. It’s not realistic, of course – not yet, anyway.’
‘I believe I have a right to my opinions.’
‘Then you’re supporting the wrong people. The League is nothing to do with liberty, you know.’
‘Don’t talk to me about liberty,’ Lev said with a touch of anger. ‘When I was twelve years old I was flogged by the Leningrad police because my parents were on strike.’
Greg was not sure why his father had said that. The brutality of the Tsar’s regime seemed like an argument for socialism, not against.
Gus said: ‘Roosevelt knows you give money to the League, and he wants you to stop.’
‘How does he know who I give money to?’
‘The FBI told him. They investigate such people.’
‘We’re living in a police state! You’re supposed to be a liberal.’
There was not much logic to Lev’s arguments, Greg perceived. Lev was just trying everything he could think of to wrong-foot Gus, and he did not care if he contradicted himself in the process.
Gus remained cool. ‘I’m trying to make sure this doesn’t become a matter for the police,’ he said.
Lev grinned. ‘Does the President know I stole your fiancee?’
This was news to Greg – but it had to be true, for Lev had at last succeeded in throwing Gus off balance. Gus looked shocked, turned his gaze aside, and reddened. Score one for our team, Greg thought.
Lev explained to Greg: ‘Gus was engaged to Olga, back in 1915,’ he said. ‘Then she changed her mind and married me.’
Gus recovered his composure. ‘We were all terribly young.’
Lev said: ‘You certainly got over Olga quickly enough.’
Gus gave Lev a cool look and said: ‘So did you.’
Greg saw that his father was embarrassed now. Gus’s shot had hit home.
There was a moment of awkward silence, then Gus said: ‘You and I fought in a war, Lev. I was in a machine- gun battalion with my school friend Chuck Dixon. In a little French town called Chateau-Thierry he was blown to pieces in front of my eyes.’ Gus was speaking in a conversational tone, but Greg found himself holding his breath. Gus went on: ‘My ambition for my sons is that they should never have to go through what we went through. That’s why groups such as the Liberty League have to be nipped in the bud.’
Greg saw his chance. ‘I’m interested in politics, too, Senator, and I’d like to learn more. Might you be able to take me as an intern one summer?’ He held his breath.
Gus looked surprised, but said: ‘I can always use a bright young man who’s willing to work in a team.’
That was neither a yes nor a no. ‘I’m top in math, and captain of ice hockey,’ Greg persisted, selling himself. ‘Ask Woody about me.’
‘I will.’ Gus turned to Lev. ‘And will you consider the President’s request? It’s really very important.’
It almost seemed as if Gus was suggesting an exchange of favours. But would Lev agree?
