Descending to the Ninth

Jack Johnson kicked off his slippers. He had hated his four years as US Secretary of Agriculture. With only one term in the US Senate he’d had no experience and no talent for executive leadership. But his successor had been nominated and would be confirmed soon. He would never go to Washington again. He didn’t turn on the news. Inauguration day. His defeated friend was handing over to his conqueror. Jack had turned down his invitation and didn’t want to watch. The Secret Service agent staggered in, looking pale and deeply shocked: “There’s been an attack on Washington, Mr President”.