"If you show weakness today, if you let him think you're just a young bureaucrat who can be pushed around by a schedule, then every single one of your future budget proposals will be held up in this damn reception room. You'll be stuck here until you're just another one of the pictures on this wall."
"Because time is the one thing he's not short on."
Roosevelt said consolingly, "Don't take it personally, kid."
"This system was never designed for efficiency."
"It was designed to prevent tyranny."
Just then, the secretary finally looked up.
"Mr. Mayor, the Speaker is free now. You can go in."
Leo stood up, straightened his suit, and pushed open the heavy mahogany door.
The office was filled with the rich smell of tomato sauce and meatballs.
Thomas Moretti was sitting behind his desk, a huge Italian meatball sub in hand, eating with gusto.
He didn't even stand up.
