The chess players were intent on their match, as they sat in the DC heat beneath a Magnolia tree, which provided some protection from the sun, along with whiffs of sweet aroma. The game was bogged down due to each player’s sudden pronouncements regarding the ongoing battle royale between the two political parties in America.
The democrat blurted out, “Sometimes I can barely contain the joy I feel when reflecting on the latest developments in my party. My dread evaporated when my candidate stepped down and endorsed his sidekick, and my joy intensified when that governor from fly-over country joined the ticket. They’re unbeatable.”
While listening to his opponent gush the republican player slipped a pawn into position and responded, “I’m happy for you my friend. Permit me to point out to you though that emotions like you speak of are fragile and easily disrupted. I hope you don’t wake with a hang-over when my candidate wins in a landslide.”
“Bullshit!” the democrat replied, as he scanned the board and positioned one of his own pawns. “It feels so good, it has to be real. My candidate radiates joy and confidence and goodness, while yours exhibits vulgar and vile unpleasantness. My candidate exudes success!”
The republican retorted, “My candidate lives in the real world my friend. He sounds crass sometimes because it’s a mean and unforgiving planet we populate, and he’s done some serious living in it. Your gold-rim Gucci glasses, leather elbow patch liberals seem oblivious at times. A happy clown like your candidate is really only good for entertainment. She’s only competent as a circus act. Let me ask you, would you date her?”
“Well of course not,” the democrat replied. “She’s a lawyer-prosecutor. She’d never let me get away with mischief. And she’s exhibited nastiness on occasion, like I remember in senate hearings for judges. And her verbal flights of babbling nonsense are the stuff of jokes in some circles. But I would trust her to run the country. It’s just a feeling I have.”
An onlooker to the match yelled, “It’s time for the white guys to step aside and make room for diversity. It’s her turn, it’s our turn to have power! You dudes don’t have power over me anymore. Things are gonna be different from now on.”
The republican glared and responded, “Competence is what matters ma’am. No more so than the garments you wear does skin color or gender define you. Do the dancing mystics in your dreams wear anything but blackface? They do so to conceal skin tone. And their chests are bound to mock your propensity towards nocturnal events staining your high threadcount sheets.”
Another onlooker groused, “I’m just tired of it all lately. I subsist on beans and toast and sleep in a tent down by the Potomac. I’m unhappy with both parties, but lean towards the dude candidate cause I can tell he’s no phony. He just has a big mouth. The other one is slippery and disingenuous. It’s all about power and legacy, along with vengeance. The dude already had power when he ran for prez. And he took a bullet for us. That tells me alot!”
The democrat opined as he slid his king to harass a pawn, “Hope can’t be bought. It’s something we feel deeply and embrace. That counts for alot. Besides, the dude is getting up there in years. He has the same problem our guy had. It’s time to pass the torch.”
The republican laughed, while an elf wonder performed Dance Of The Mystics somewhere nearby, “These days hope seems to be what folks experience waiting for delivery of government dole and winning lottery tickets. What about hope for good jobs, peace on earth, and honesty from our leaders? The republicans want to create jobs, while the democrats want to create wards of state and artillery shells. It mostly started with LBJ, and continues with the liberal handouts they’ve perfected as ways of buying votes. It’s a disgrace my friend. Our country is bankrupt.”
The democrat nodded, “I’ll agree that that’s a problem, but the people need comfort and sustenance if they’re to be productive citizens. All work and no play makes us all very dull. We need smiling leaders. Remember, a smile is contagious!”
Off in the distance a tar machine was rumbling and belching oily fumes into the air. The sidewalks were filled with intent workers and tourists. The mood swings felt in America of late would some day be remembered fondly. For, as we all know, the gods dine merrily and laugh in ecstacy, then delight in spontaneity.
The players arrived at checkmate, stood, shook hands and embraced, then sauntered off in search of spiritual assistance at the nearest pub.
CP Butchvarov 2024