Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Convention Center.
The massive broadcast hall was decorated in the Democratic Party's signature deep blue.
In the center of the stage, a massive LED screen scrolled with the campaign slogan: "Take Back Our Time."
Spotlights bathed the stage in a light as bright as day, making even the dust motes dancing in the beams clearly visible.
The audience of a thousand people below the stage was mostly comprised of college students, environmentalists, and middle-class white-collar workers from Philadelphia and its surrounding suburbs, as well as liberal voters angered by the current state of affairs in Washington.
This was a televised campaign rally, broadcast live across the entire state.
The camera's red tally light came on, and the director gave the signal.
John Murphy strode onto the stage.
He had changed into a well-tailored, dark gray suit.
In Philadelphia, he needed to project the dignity and authority befitting a Senator.
