Power Struggle

Brian has been shopping, and tonight he wears a tie of lampblack with widely staggered brilliant blue stripes.  The pilot announces their imminent landing at Dulles, and she tiredly slips her feet into her high heels.  It won't be a pleasant meeting with the Senator, and she tries to remember the last time it was.  At least Alphonse, the driver, will have her coffee waiting, as he always does, and a reassuring smile.  She glances out at the lights on the runway, so colorful against the darkness of the early morning and the asphalt, and thinks momentarily of fireworks.