Chapter 45
Your Career is Dead!
"Mr. Chief Justice, its a pleasure to see you again. Will you be dining alone today or will your Clerk be joining you?" asked Floyd Patterson. Patterson's back pain had gone away and he stood erect with regal bearing. Patterson cherished his appearance as the Maitre'd for the Spottswood Cafe. He also feared for his job if he didn't present a certain image for the restaurant.
"Floyd, I'll be joined by Senator Lynch today. My clerk will not be joining me," said the Chief Justice.
"Very good, very good," responded Patterson. No sooner had Patterson said the words than Senator Lynch strode through the front door and extended his right hand to the Chief Justice.
"Mr. Chief Justice, how are you doing today?" asked Senator Lynch.
"You can seat us now, Floyd," prompted the Chief Justice.
"Right this way," Patterson said as he led the Chief Justice to his usual table beneath his oil portrait on the wall.
Lynch waited for a social nicety from the Chief Justice. Nothing.
Patterson seated the Chief Justice first and then the Senator. Such was the clientele of the Cafe that no one took notice of the Chief Justice and the U.S. Senator. If truth were told, perhaps half of the diners felt superior to the Chief Justice and the other half superior to the sitting U.S. Senator.
"May I have some Middleburg tea with a slice of lemon, Floyd?" asked the Chief Justice.
"Yes, sir," answered Patterson. The Chief Justice did not speak further until Patterson returned.
"Thank you, Floyd," the Chief Justice said as Floyd presented a cup of the finest Middleburg tea. Patterson retreated as the Chief Justice held his teacup on his saucer.
"A few days ago, I grabbed my law books while I was upset but I did it anyway and I guess I was about as angry as I have ever been in my life. It seems my Clerk George Langston met with you in your office for a brandy. Now Langston is one of the most ethical, noble young attorneys I know of in the Commonwealth. I am blessed to have him as my legal assistant. So I could not understand it when he told me, out of breath, you attempted to extort political benefit..."
"Mr. Chief Justice!" exclaimed Senator Lynch.
"When you attempted to extort a benefit from the Chief Justice of this Commonwealth....," continued White. The Chief Justice spoke in firm, clear, forceful tones. He did not scream. He did not shout. His resolve sufficed. He looked stern at the Senator, his lips flat and expressionless. "Now, I respect my Clerk and I have read the rules of the state bar from cover to cover. So, I want you to tell me from what part of the professional rules you derived inspiration to demand anything from my office," demanded the Chief Justice.
"I don't like what I have been accused of," said Senator Lynch.
"I don't care," retorted the Chief Justice.
"Sir, I will not tolerate these insults," threatened the Senator.
"Senator, you will renounce and retract any demands you made upon my Clerk," said the Chief Justice. "You will do it publicly and, until you do, you can remove yourself from my table," said the state's most powerful lawyer.
All conversations in the Cafe came to a slow halt.
Senator Lynch stood up while slamming his menu down on the table.
"Floyd, show this man out," said the Chief Justice.
The Chief Justice and the Senator locked eyes in a death stare. In an age of honor, the Chief Justice had taken severe aim on the Senator. [Every Man Has a Weakness, the Senator thought to himself, as his reptilian brain assumed control.] The Senator sized up his prey and shouted for the benefit of the entire Cafe:
"You will regret this day until your dying day, Mr. Chief Justice. No matter what you do or say, this insult will seal your career. You will never, ever serve on the United States Supreme Court as long as I have life. Your career is dead!"