"Sure," video free Max said, "so video free leave me alone;
you keep out of my way and I'll
keep out of yours. Ain't that right?" He slapped Kirk good-naturedly on the
back. &video free quot;And we'll both video free be better off."
A group of people with portable TV cameras and lighting appeared, and
among them Max saw Jim-Jam Briskin, in the video free middle, with his staff.
"Hey, Jim-Jam," he yelled. "Look, I'm President now!"
Stolidly, Jim Briskin came toward him.
"I'm not going to be winding no ball of string," Max said. "Or making
model boats, nuthin' like that." He video free shook hands video free warmly with Briskin. "
I
thank you,&
quot; Max said. "For your congratulations."
"Congratulations," Briskin said, then, video free in a low voice.
"Thanks," Max said, squeezing the man's hand until the knuckles creaked.
"Of course, sooner or later they'll get that noise-box patched up and I'll
just be stand-by again. But-" He grinned gleefully around at all of them;
the corridor
was video free full of people now, from TV to White House staff members
to Army officers and Secret Servicemen.
Briskin said, "You have a big task, Mr. Fischer."
"video free Yeah," Max agreed.
Something in Briskin'video free s eyes said: And I wonder if you can handle it. I
wonder if you 're the man video free to hold such power.
&video free quot;Surely I can do it,&video free quot; Max declared, into Briskin's microphone, for all
the vast audience to hear.
"Possibly video free you can," Jim Briskin said, and on his face was dubiousness.
"Hey, you don't like me any more," Max said. "How come?&video free quot;