Daniel MacCulloch Goes To Washington

By DHMcCarty

"Protect your spirit for you are in the place where spirits get eaten."    John Trudell

Chapter 1 - Daniel MacCulloch

Daniel Craig MacCulloch shifted his backpack to his right shoulder and raised his left hand to his hip, splaying his index toward the toe of his Red Wings.   His eyes taking in everything.  The scale, style of the molding, height of the windows, the design in the floors. The aura.

Paintings of serious men lined the walls.  One after the other.  Men of consequence.  Most he had never heard of.

He imagined taking in this scene with his Grandfather Angus.

"Is a gallery of saints and thieves Danny Boy. Saints are few and far between."

.      .      .      .      .

Daniel did a slow 360-degree pivot on the toes of his boots.  Halfway around he noticed him.

"Good morning Sir.  May I be of assistance?"

"Actually I'm looking for my office.  I'm Daniel MacCulloch,  newly elected Congressman from North Carolina.Imagine that."

Sergeant Issac Jameson, 24 years with the Capitol Police, did a double take so subtle that only a skilled observer would have detected.

Daniel grinned. Isaac caught it.

The Capitol Police morning report showcased the fresh faces coming to the congressional floor.   He hadn't expected work boots, a wool cap and toting a backpack.

Isaac smiled.

"Well Congressman MacCulloch,  follow me.  I'm Sargent Isaac Jameson of the Capitol Police.  My friends call me Ike.  Name like that, you can probably guess my age.  I'm going to stop down the hall for my codebook if you don't mind, or you can accompany me, sir.  Your choice."

"Ike, I think I will walk with you.  You're the first soul I've had a chance to talk to today."

"Of course, Sir.  Right, this way Sir."

"Uh, Ike?  The name is Daniel.  Always has been.

"Daniel.  .  .  . O.K. Congressman .  .  . What part of Carolina,  Congressman Daniel?"

"Mountains Ike.  Green as you can imagine.  Rains all the time. If you don't call me Congressman Daniel, I won't call you Officer Ike."

.    .    .    .    .

Congressman MacCulloch was overwhelmed with the crush of Washington.  His first full day included 10 hours of orientation meetings, a luncheon with the ranking party member of the Agricultural Committee, endless lobbyists trailing him through the halls of Congress, and a phone call from the Honorable Nancy Pelosi that left him dazed and confused.Everyone wanted to pin him down.

Daniel was looking uphill at the learning curve. Most issues were just a blur to him. He had campaigned on social issues, feeding the hungry, healthcare for all and affordable housing.  It was personal to him.

In Congress, everyone has a personal issue.

.      .      .      .      .      .      .      .

On January 4, 2022, Daniel MacCulloch was sworn in as a member of Congress. He brought Frankie Bonilla and Rae Ann Devereaux with him from Asheville. Frankie would assume the position of Cheif of Staff and Rae would handle media matters.

He spoke on the phone with his Grandfather Angus each night before he fell asleep. He had every intention of establishing some Western Carolina roots in his little corner of the Congressional Office Building.

On Wednesday the 6th of January Daniel endured his first bonafide day as a working Congressman. He was out of his element and he knew it. His arms were twisted in a dozen different directions.

At 6:30 pm, Speaker Pelosi banged the gavel and adjourned the Congressional body. Congressmen and Congresswomen flooded the aisles bending ears to the Left and Right.

Daniel hunkered down in his chair trying to become invisible. He stretched his back and craned his neck. He was exhausted. Far more so than any 16 hour day working in the fields of Buncombe County.

He preferred 12 hours in the seat of his Ford 9N to 15 minutes in his ornately upholstered leather Congressional chair. He had to remind himself why he had taken on this challenge. 

A willing servant of The 10th Congressional District of North Carolina. His life changed in the blink of an eye.

.      .      .      .      .      .      .      .      .

After everyone filed out and the lights were dimmed.  A member of the Capitol Police came down to ask if there was anything that he could do for him.

"This is my first week in DC. I just want to soak in it for a while.  This place has a smell.  Like land that's been depleted.  They've been recycling the same crop till they sucked this hall dry.  Yet it still has shadows of grandeur playing off the walls."

"That's poetic Congressman MacCulloch.  You catch on fast.  I'm Officer Tyler Washington.  I believe you've already made the acquaintance of my friend Isaac Jameson.  

This room is why you leave home.  In these halls, the officers practice decorum.  This is where we do business.In your office building, you shake hands and knock knuckles and call each other Ike and Daniel.  If I ever run into you at a Georgetown tavern or convenience store, feel free to call me Tyler.  Barring that unlikely circumstance, it will have to be Congressman MacCulloch and Officer Washington.

I hope that didn't sound like a speech Congressman.  My apologies if it did.  I just want to go on record.  You can take this to the bank.  I don't do politispeak.  I see that BS every day.  That's the smell you mentioned.  What you get from me is street level and good as the sweet gospel. Praise the Lord,Congressman MacCulloch.,

Pay attention to those shadows of grandeur.  A few good men have walked these halls."

"Officer Washington no reason to apologize.  I'm new to this.  I know nothing about nothing until I learn how to breathe here.  I'm pleased that Isaac passed my name along.  

Your advice is well taken.If you don't mind Officer Washington, I'd like to sit awhile and think about my next move."

"Just stop by my office on the way out.  I'll need to sign you out if you're that late.  Don't forget the shadows."

.    .    .    .    .

When I opened the door to the chamber, his profile was illuminated.  

He was sitting the second row from the back, dead center.  Elbows on his knees and steepled fingers supporting his chin.  

He was in another world.

When he noticed the difference in light, he looked up and then slowly toward the source. He held my gaze for a moment and then looked down to the seat to his left.

When he looked back at me he was smiling through grey whiskers.

"Please close the door.  I am in conversation with the Honorable Everett Dirksen.   He had already retired for the night. Contrary to popular opinion, Everett sleeps like a baby."

He was dressed pre TV.  Muted grey suit with soft lapels and a wide tie with a brass tie bar, clipped to white cotton broadcloth.  He looked like one of the jurors in 'To Kill a Mockingbird'.

He lifted his briefcase from the chair to his left and placed it on the floor at his feet.  It was a brown leather satchel lifted from Lee J Cobb.  

He smiled again and motioned me to his side.

"Much easier to see in the shadows.  Takes away all the gloss and the chatter of the Mad Men."

"I'm Daniel MacCulloch from Asheville, North Carolina, Sir.  I'm still into the 'Feel my way around' mode."

"Keep your ears open.  Listen to the pitch but ask yourself, 'Where does the money go'.   This town went at a bargain price years ago.

I'm Phillip Hart."

I sat silently for a minute.  Let this sink in.  I can hear him and see him.  At least I think I can.

Phillip Hart.  'The Conscience of the Senate'.  

It was the name that Angus used when he talked of political integrity.

Had my Grandfather sent me a Muse?  A Muse that died 40 years ago.

Don't ask any questions, Daniel.  Don't mess with this.  This may be your dance with faith.

Chapter 2 - [agnostic.com]