Chapter Two - July

“So, we are in agreement,” Sean Templeton, the chairman of the Federal Election Commission, declared. This was the first time Thomas Blair and Carmen Lopez had been in the same room since either of their unorthodox entries into the Presidential race.

Thomas was a young, popular businessman who had been thrust into the limelight after the former Republican Presidential nominee, Marcus Cain, fell in a fatal helicopter crash. Despite his lack of political experience, Thomas was a smooth talker and a family man. The Republican committee knew they needed someone who fit his profile if they were going to win this shortened campaign.

Carmen Lopez was Thomas’ polar opposite. A young 39-year-old Senator from California, Carmen knew how the political system worked, and her election experience meant she knew how to appeal to the common American voter. While Thomas built his reputation on being an ordinary family man, Carmen was looking to become not only the first female US President, but the first gay President of Latin descent.

“We will hold a debate at the end of the month and a second debate in October,” Sean continued. They met at the FEC offices in Washington to determine the rules and schedule for this short race. “You both must announce your VP pick by next month, and we will hold a single Vice Presidential debate in September.”

The pair agreed on the terms and signed the contract, committing to following the rules. They stood up and shook hands amicably.

“Good luck, Ms Lopez,” Thomas said, firmly gripping the Latina’s hand. “May we both lead a clean race.” He flashed his charming smile.

“Absolutely, Mr Blair,” Carmen replied. “May the best woman win.” Her jovial comment prompted a chuckle from Thomas’ lips as they broke up the handshake and went their separate ways.

Thomas straightened his suit and strolled through the FEC corridors. “Well, wasn’t that a nice, cozy meeting?” The sudden appearance of the short, green-skinned man made Thomas jump. “Now the fake formalities are out of the way. Are we ready for some fun?”

Thomas paused momentarily. A few days ago, he signed a mystical contract with the green man in the purple suit. The agreement guaranteed him the Presidency in return for a special undisclosed favor. Mr Purple offered the deal to both candidates, but Thomas was the only one to sign the dotted line.

“Hold up,” Thomas said. Now that the Republican businessman had time to think it through, he had second thoughts. “I have a two-point lead in the polls, and my team has an excellent ground game planned. Perhaps I won’t need your interference after all.”

Mr Purple groaned. “You do understand that you’ve already signed the contract, don’t you?” He reminded the slick black-haired Presidential nominee. “Whether you want my help or not, you are obligated to win the election and grant my boss a favor.”

Thomas lowered her head before reluctantly nodding. “I understand what I signed,” he said. “However, I don’t know what underhanded tactics you have up your sleeve, and I would like my Presidency to be consequential. If there is a chance I can win fair and square, I will take it.”

The green man opened his mouth to speak, but Thomas interrupted him. “Don’t worry. Your boss will receive his favor.” He promised the demon.

Mr Purple nodded his head. “Very well,” he sounded disappointed. “We will play it your way. Let me know if you change your mind.” He grinned and disappeared instantly before Thomas had an opportunity to ask the man how to contact him.

Once left alone in the corridor, Thomas Blair glanced around to ensure nobody witnessed his interaction before heading out of the DC building.

❖

Two weeks had passed since the pair agreed on the election rules, and both campaigns were off to a running start. Carmen was busy in the Democratic election offices, reviewing her final preparations for tomorrow’s debate. It was the first opportunity for the American public to understand what their Presidential hopefuls stood for. Carmen knew she couldn’t underestimate how vital a successful debate tomorrow would be.

The Latina sat with her campaign’s lead support officer, Jared Kissinger, reviewing her key messaging plan. “It’s important you focus on the history-making moment of the election,” Jared continued, “but don’t forget what won you the Senate seat. You grew up in a poor neighborhood, and your family had nothing. You picked yourself out of the gutter and can help everyday Americans do the same.”

Carmen nodded as her support officer continued to prep her. “The Republicans are going to paint you as a shill for the elite. They will try to paint this billionaire businessman as a man for the working people.” Carmen scowled at his comment. “It’s your job to remind them of your record in public office.”

Jared leaned closer to his boss and stared into her eyes. Carmen glanced back at him until the election office door opened behind the support officer. Kim Walsh, Carmen’s loving girlfriend, stepped inside.

The Presidential nominee’s eyes widened, and her smile broadened. She stood up and ran towards her former stripper partner before giving her a long, sensual kiss on the lips. Behind her, Jared smiled at the pair, but a hidden look of pain could be found in his eyes. He had been attracted to Carmen ever since he could remember, although the lesbian never shared the same affection.

“So, babe,” Kim spoke to her politician partner after breaking the kiss and staring into her dazzling brown eyes. “Are you ready to take on the patriarchy and expose this nominee for what he really is?” Kim never hid her loathing of Thomas Blair and everything his class stood for. As far as she was concerned, if a man like him ever became President, the rights of her and her community could be threatened.

“You always have a way with words, Kim,” Carmen chuckled. “I’ve prepared for this my whole life. I was born ready.” She said. “Tomorrow, I’m going to dismantle Mr Blair’s outdated views and expose his party. Tomorrow, I’m going to make history!” She declared.

Kim softly bit red-painted lower lip. “Mmmm, I love it when you talk like that,” she responded. “But how about we head home, and you can make a little history in the bedroom.” She winked. The Latina Presidential nominee giggled and hugged her partner before the two women happily left the offices and headed home.

Jared also bit his lower lip. He struggled to contain his jealousy. Although he had always supported the LGBTQ+ community, his feelings for his boss were becoming increasingly difficult to keep hidden.

❖

“Good evening, and welcome back to the first US Presidential debate, live on ANN, cable number one news network.” Keith Newsman welcomes the audience back after a brief commercial break. “Ms Lopez and Mr Blair have gotten their opening statements out of the way. Now it’s time for the hard questions.”

Carmen stood confidently behind her podium, wearing a light blue tailored suit, which did its best to minimize the Latina’s curves and portray an air of authority. Thomas wore a gray suit and red tie, himself attempting to show strength in his outfit choice.

“Ms Lopez,” the primary moderator continued. “Much has been made about the historic moment should you win the Presidency. You would become the first woman to become head of the executive branch; you would be the first person of Latin descent, and the first member of the LGBTQ+ community,” Keith Newsman stated. “Tell the audience what it would mean to you personally if you were to make history.”

Carmen took a deep breath. “As a woman, a person of Mexican descent, and a member of the LGBTQ+ community, it would be an incredible honor to break barriers and serve as the first female, Mexican-American, and gay President of the United States. It would not only be a personal achievement, but it would also be a representation of progress and inclusivity in our country.”

She looked over to the side of the stage where her partner was smiling back at her. “However, this historic moment is not just about breaking barriers and shattering glass ceilings. It is about what I can do for our country as a leader. I am running to be the President for every American, regardless of their background or identity.” Carmen believed she was hitting the nail on the head with this answer. “Together, we can create a more inclusive and equitable society, where everyone has the opportunity to succeed and thrive. That is what it would mean to me personally if I were to make history as the next President of the United States.”

She received a raucous round of applause, and Thomas could be seen rolling his eyes at her predictable answer. Cindy Anchor, the second moderator of the debate, asked the businessman if he would like to respond to her statement.

“Don’t get me wrong,” Thomas began. “It would indeed be historic if Ms Lopez were to win this election. However, everyday Americans care less about making history and more about providing for their families.”

“And what about families like mine?” Carmen interjected.

“No one cares!” Thomas retorted. “The American people care about their own families and what the government can do to help their families prosper.”

“Did you hear that, ladies and gentlemen?” The Latina pounced. “Mr Blair admitted that he doesn’t care for members of the LGBTQ+ community. He would rather people like us never existed.”

“That’s not what I-” The businessman attempted to correct the record.

“We need to move on to the next question,” Keith Newsman interrupted the Republican nominee, visibly frustrating the young man. “Now, onto the economy…”

The debate continued in much the same manner as the first question. Carmen managed to corner the Republican nominee with hard-hitting insinuations, and the pair of moderators moved on before Thomas could set the record straight. The black-haired businessman was becoming increasingly irate and flustered, and the next question wouldn’t help.

“Ms Lopez, there have been several unsubstantiated claims that Mr Blair’s banks had refused a number of loans from LGBTQ business owners. How would you respond to those stories?” Keith Newsman asked the Latin Senator.

“If those stories are about me, I should have a chance to resp-” Thomas interjected.

“I’m sorry, Mr Blair,” Keith interrupted the nominee. “This question was for Ms Lopez. And may I remind you that if you continue to interrupt, I will cut your mic.”

Thomas clenched his fists in anger. It definitely seemed like the network had an agenda against him and the businessman was competing against three people on the stage.

“Thank you for the question,” Carmen was enjoying the debate. “I would need to preface this answer by reminding everyone that the allegations against Mr Blair are completely uncorroborated. However, if they are true, they continue to paint a picture of a narrow-minded man, intent on keeping things as they were sixty years ago.” She said firmly. “Do we really need a President with these beliefs?” She asked the audience. “Or are we ready to evolve and become a nation that cares and caters to all Americans, regardless of their background?”

She received another round of raucous applause from her supporters in the audience. Thomas shook his head. “Surely I should have the opportunity to respond?” He asked desperately.

“I’m sorry, Mr Blair,” Cindy Anchor said. “We are running short on time and must move on.” The businessman gasped. He had been preparing for this debate night and day for two weeks but never prepared to defend himself like this.

“And onto the closing statements…” Despite an agreement that Thomas would have the last word in the first debate, the moderators took the businessman by surprise and asked him to go first.

The man was knocked off balance and stumbled through his entire closing arguments. He was left having to defend his prior actions rather than pursue his original plan of questioning the young Latina’s real-world experience. The lukewarm smattering of applause he received when he’d finished told Carmen she had already won the debate.

“And Ms Lopez. Your closing statement, please,” Cindy Anchor moved onto the Democratic nominee.

Carmen paused. This could be her defining moment. “My background as a gay Latina woman has shaped my experiences and perspectives. I believe they make me uniquely qualified to lead this country towards a brighter future.” She continued, “But let me be clear, this election is not about me or my identities. It is about the American people and the issues that affect their everyday lives.” She turned to look at her dejected opponent. “Mr. Blair’s outdated and discriminatory beliefs have been exposed tonight, and it is up to each and every one of us to reject them and move towards a more just and equitable society. I will fight for the rights of the LGBTQ community and all marginalized communities because I believe that no one should be denied opportunities based on who they love, whether that’s marriage, adoption, or requesting a loan to grow your business.” Her last comment was a final dig at the businessman.

Thomas tried to interrupt, but his microphone was silenced during Carmen’s final remarks. As she closed her statements, a large portion of the audience, not only from her own base but also the independents in the crowd, rose to their feet and applauded the Latina nominee. She had this in the bag.

As the debate ended, the two competing nominees met in the center of the stage for a cordial handshake. Carmen clearly looked more pleased than her Republican opponent. “Good debate,” she whispered in his ear. “I had no idea you were so easily rattled. This election is going to be a piece of cake,” the Democrat teased her opponent.

Thomas was too angry to formulate a response and he silently watched the triumphant nominee greet her team and receive the deserved congratulations. Thomas stormed off the stage, ignoring his own waiting team and trotted down the corridor. He needed to cool off.

❖

Thomas found himself inside a public bathroom, splashing water on his flushed face. His hands were shaking, and his teeth were shattering. How dare that bitch humiliate him like that?

Staring at himself in the mirror, he noticed a familiar purple-suited, green-skinned man appear behind him. Contrary to Thomas’ furious demeanor, Mr Purple grinned widely. “Well, I think that went well,” he teased the businessman.

“What do you want?” Thomas furiously turned and looked the demon in the eye. “Came to revel in my humiliation?”

The green man laughed. He had never seen the Republican so disheveled and out of sorts. Perhaps his boss had made a mistake entering an agreement with this man. “Not at all,” he said. “I was just wondering if you were done playing games yet?”

Thomas lifted his head from the ground and looked the short man in the eye. Mr Purple smiled as he received the businessman’s full attention. “That’s better,” he stepped closer. “Just say the word, and I can get started.”

Thomas clenched his fists. He was furious. That bitch had just embarrassed him in front of millions of voters. He wanted revenge. He wanted to give her a taste of her own medicine. “Okay,” he scowled. “Do your worst!”

Mr Purple nodded, and his grin grew even wider. “Very good,” The green-skinned man rubbed his hands together. “This is going to be fun.” With his final comment, the short demon disappeared into thin air and left Thomas alone in the restroom. The businessman shuddered; what had he just agreed to?

❖

Just a few yards away in the Democratic nominee’s dressing room, there was a jubilant atmosphere as Carmen’s team dubbed her the President-elect. She toned down their rhetoric but told them it was a good night for her campaign and they should enjoy the moment.

Everyone turned their attention to the television set on the wall as the news networks reacted to the debate. A snap poll from a conservative network showed Carmen overturning a two-point deficit to hold a six-point lead over her Republican opponent. The poll prompted another celebration from the team, showing how much of an impact her performance had on the shortened race.

Carmen quietened the room. “Although we can celebrate tonight’s success,” she began. “We still have over three months to drive our message home. Let’s keep this momentum all the way to the finish line.” The campaign team cheered and hoisted their drinks in the air, clinking glasses in celebration.

As she mingled with her supporters and volunteers, one junior campaign advisor attempted to grab her attention. “Ms Lopez, Ms Lopez,” he asked urgently.

“Now, now, Darryl,” she tempered his perceived excitement. “Have a drink and celebrate. You earned it.”

As she began to turn away, Darryl grabbed the nominee by the shoulder. “Sorry, Ma’am, but this is important.” He thrusted a newspaper in her hand.

Unimpressed, the Presidential nominee unfolded the paper and read the headline on the front page. Suddenly, her elated expression turned to anger, and the color drained from her pretty face. “Where did you get this?” She furiously asked her campaign advisor.

“An editor at the Washington Chronicle handed me an early copy,” he replied. “They are running the story in tomorrow’s edition.” There was pity in his voice.

Carmen stared at the ominous headline. ‘THE TRUTH BEHIND PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES SEEDY PAST.’ There was a doctored image of the young Latina at a party over a decade ago. The entire story was false, but Carmen was experienced in politics enough to know it posed a problem.

“Call Jared and the team,” she commanded the assistant. “Crisis meeting at HQ. Now!” She said before taking the paper and leaving her dressing room. She needed to get ahead of these preposterous rumors before they took on a life of their own.

❖

“Carmen Lopez, the bookmaker favorite to take the Presidency after a scintillating debate performance, has a shady past she went out of her way to keep hidden,” Darryl Mooney read the article to the team at Carmen’s request.

The Democratic nominee had her arm around her girlfriend. She had read the fabricated article a dozen times, but hearing the words uttered from someone else’s lips tortured her.

“You may already know the story of Ms Lopez’s other half, Kim Walsh, and her previous career as a stripper,” he continued reading. “But did you know Carmen had a sex-filled past of her own?” The team gasped at his uttered words. How could a respected news outlet publish such lies?

“Prior to entering politics, Carmen Lopez spent most of her adult life on the notorious streets of Figueroa Street, selling her body to any perverted soul rich enough to pay.” Carmen shook her head. Did they expect the public to believe that America’s new darling used to be a street hooker? “That’s not all. Jared Kissinger may now live in Carmen’s shadow as her lead campaign official, but did you know that he used to be the former prostitutes pimp?”

“It’s all lies!” Jared exclaimed. “I won’t sit here and allow our leader’s honor to be questioned. None of this happened! Put me in front of the cameras now, and I will refute the allegations.”

Carmen patted her lead campaign support officer on the back. “Thank you, Jared.” She replied. “But I doubt that will be necessary. The public won’t believe such outrageous fabrications.”

“Mr Kissinger was involved in a horrific car accident in 2014, which resulted in major brain surgery,” Darryl continued to read the story. “The resulting operation left Mr Kissinger with long-term memory loss, and the Latin nominee pounced on the opportunity to escape her former life and keep the man under her control.”

“I was never in a car accident,” Jared blurted out. “Was I?” He looked at his boss, and she shook her head.

“No, Jared, it’s all completely made up,” Carmen assured him.

“Although Ms Lopez has successfully managed to keep her former life a secret, there are a few traces of her past that she can’t keep hidden forever,” Darryl paused before he moved on to the following sentence. “Carmen keeps her large, fake tits her former pimp previously bought for her covered up and compressed with tightly bound bandages. She keeps her lower back covered in public as she hides away a humiliating, promiscuous tattoo.”

“What the hell?” Carmen shouted out. “I keep my lower back covered because I’m not a slut.” She glanced down at the exposed navel of her girlfriend. “No offense,” she added.

“Well, it’s an easy allegation to shut down,” a tall man at the back commented. Everyone turned their attention to the lowly volunteer. “Well, just show us your chest and prove they’re lying about the bandages.” The crowd gasped at his brashness, but no one outwardly refuted his suggestion.

“No way,” Carmen eventually spoke out. “I will not demean myself by showing myself off to any of you or the public!” She spoke with fire in her voice.

There was an awkward silence as the group whispered amongst themselves. Carmen was busy being calmed down by her blue-haired former dancer girlfriend, as Jared cleared his throat and spoke.

“It’s not the suggestion you want to hear,” Jared empathized, “but I think it is the best way to quash the rumors before they start dealing damage.” He sighed. “Any of us can stand at a podium and deny the baseless allegations, but this is the only way to deliver concrete proof.”

Carmen parted her lips to retort but paused momentarily. He was right. The rumor mill would continue to churn until she provided evidence of the lies. She wondered if the Republicans had planted the story with this outcome in mind. She was dating a former stripper. It wouldn’t be much of a stretch to believe the Senator had a promiscuous past as well.

Reluctantly, the brunette nodded. “You don’t have to do this,” Kim reassured her girlfriend, but the decision had been made. She needed to do this.

Carmen took a deep breath and slowly unbuttoned her pastel blue suit jacket. After shrugging the jacket off and handing it to an assistant, she timidly unbuttoned her white blouse, starting with her lowest buttons. Strangely, with each button she undid, Carmen felt a weird tightness building inside her chest.

She closed her eyes and opened up the rest of her blouse, embarrassingly slipping it off. There was a collective gasp from the small audience surrounding the young Presidential candidate. Expecting to witness her C-cup breasts encased in a white bra, Carmen glanced down and stared in horror.

Her bra had disappeared, but more alarmingly were the rows of white bandages wrapped around her chest. Carmen took shorter breaths as the bandages were wrapped incredibly tight. “S- something is wrong…” the Senator stuttered.

Taking a deep breath, Carmen began to unwrap the tightly compressed medical dressing. As the packaging was gradually removed, the brunette Latina noticed numerous hands covering their mouths, shocked at the sight before them.

Carmen felt a strange weight on her chest as the bandages were removed entirely. There was a collective gasp, and she stared down at the cause of the commotion. “No!” She cried out. How was this possible?

Carmen pushed past several people and raced to a full-length mirror on the wall, gazing in terrible panic. Her natural, nondescript C-cup breasts were no more. In their place were a pair of obviously enhanced, round F cup monstrosities. Carmen even noticed the scar marks along the base of her breasts. What was happening? She had never had cosmetic surgery in her life.

What’s more, the nipples on her gigantic breasts prominently poked forward. They were decorated with shiny silver stainless steel barbell piercings. She didn’t have the chest of a respected Senator; She had the chest of a porn star.

“Look!” As Carmen attempted to cover her mammoth breasts with her hands, a member of her team pointed at her bare lower back. She turned around to view her back for herself in the mirror, unintentionally giving the room a good look at her overspilling cleavage beneath her arms.

Carmen’s lips parted in horror. The Senator had never received a tattoo in her life due to her overwhelming fear of needles. Yet, a slutty pair of plump red lips were displayed prominently on the small of her back. Surrounding the lips were the words ‘Jared’s Whore’ in bubble font. How was any of this possible?

“So, it is true?” One member of the group asked Jared.

“N-no, I - I,” Jared stumbled. He had no idea how to answer. Suddenly, false memories started entering his mind—memories of having command over the busty Latina and watching her work the streets. “I don’t know,” he said in bemusement.

“Jared!” Carmen exclaimed. “Tell them the truth!”

Carmen looked at the face of her blue-haired girlfriend and saw the anger growing in her eyes. Suddenly, the former stripper turned away and stormed out of the building, leaving the topless, busty Senator to fend for herself. She was losing control.

“None of this is true, you fucking cocksuckers!” She blurted out in a thick Mexican accent. Carmen’s eyes widened, and she clasped a hand over her mouth, giving the room a better view of her fake tits. Where had that come from? She never cussed, and yet it came out so naturally. This was wrong; everything was wrong.

In the far corner of the room, the green-skinned demon hid in the shadow and chuckled at the commotion he caused. This was just the beginning of Carmen's downfall, he thought. Mr Purple straightened his jacket and clicked his fingers, disappearing back to the underworld, leaving the poor Senator to pick up the pieces.

End of Chapter Two