Where Did Jim Go Today?

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Saturday, 20th o January 2001



Inauguration day 1993
Inauguration brought back some memories of 1993... 



*******flash back flash back flash back******



	Inauguration day- Washington D.C. is bustling with activity.  500,000 people cram the streets along the parade route hoping with all hope to get a glimpse of the new president on his way from the Capitol after the official swearing-in.  Enter Jim and friend Jim, dressed in class B uniforms, sporting their lieutenant bars, looking good and official, although mostly good.  "Think this is a good place to see the President, Jim? "  Jim M said, settling into a good vantage point near the parade's start.  


	"Yeah, but the parade's two hours away, and besides we didn't come here to see him drive away in a bulletproof motorcade.  Think we could get through the police line?"  We exchanged sly glances, while eyeing each other's uniforms.  "We're part of the inaugural committee, right?"



Up the stairs to the podium



	"And uh, let me introduce you to my wife, Morgan Fairchild."  Suffice it to say we decided to bluff our way through the police barricade, where hundreds of people with priceless tickets obtained through contributions to the campaign, were anxiously waiting to see the new president.  Confidently striding up to the first police officer we saw, we said with thinly veiled vagueness, "We were sent here by the Aberdeen Proving Ground Inaugural Committee, where do we go?"  Of course he had been told no such thing, but how was he to know all the details of the day.  He asked us who our point of contact was, and without skipping a beat Jim M came up with, "Mr. Stevens."  He then went on to explain Mr. Stevens' position in the Dept. of Defense and our subsequent authorization to attend the inauguration.  I even believed him.  The policeman passed us off to a policewoman, to whom we shoveled the same excrement. 


Dr. Ruth - "Yes, I vould love to have my peecture taken with two such handsome men!!"


 She didn't know what to do with us either, so in the meantime we casually strolled through the metal detectors and patdown station.  Not knowing what to do with us she decided to give us to the first group of military people she saw.  What luck, it was a group of five enlisted Naval personnel.  They were scared to death of the two officers in their mist so in an attempt to get rid of us they said, "So, do you think you can make it from here. "  Jim and I exchanged eyeball high-five's and tried to contain our exuberance.  Oh, but do you think the story ends here?  Not a chance.  With our heads swollen, and power coursing through our veins we decided this was not enough.  "Say Jim, " I said, "Who do you think the gray section is reserved for."   The gray section was of course the front center portion of the inaugural crowd, and obviously set aside for important campaign contributors.  Without hesitation and with the knowledge that people tend to believe you when you seem to be sure of yourself, we said, "How do we get over there? " pointing to the gray section.  The private straightened up and saluted the two officers addressing him.  "Sir, you just need walk this way,"  he said pointing to the path.  We continued on our way, this time not containing our triumphant smirks.  We had done it, pulled off the coup of the century.  What ensued was the swearing in, and a rather short inaugural address.



Just minutes after the President's Address, there we are.



  After the president left the stand, and the crowd started to clear out, that little devil that had gotten the best of us so far came to bear heavily on our collective shoulder.  "Let's try to get up on the podium."  This time the police did not even blink as two uniformed personnel walked past.  They were too busy trying to stop all the other civilians from getting close to the celebrities and dignitaries.  We stood at the podium and surveyed our conquered domain (snicker snicker).   "Hey, look it's Dr. Ruth!" 


	"Where?" I exclaimed in disbelief, "Quit kidding around."  I had missed this five foot little sex therapist among the senators and government officials.  "Dr. Ruth, Dr. Ruth!" I exclaimed, "I saw you on Quantum Leap last night.  You were great."


	"Oh thank you.  Yes, do you know I was inside his body! " Her wrinkled face and mirthful eyes lit up with sincere appreciation at the comment.  Both Jim and I stood beside her and Ex-senator Hubard (ousted in the check writing scandal) snapped the picture.  



And the three bears lived happily ever after



	In the end we stayed and spoke with aids and campaign workers, learning about what people had done for their candidate and what they thought about the new president.  They in turn asked us about our thoughts on the military and about gays in the military (a hot topic always). The people I spoke with were well mannered, open-minded, and easy to talk to.  It was a day that was a good time on all accounts.


	"So Jim, what committee are we going to be on next?" 


	"Hey we're part of the Ball Committee, right?"