Washington D.C., Georgetown.
8:00 PM.
The air here always felt a little more relaxed than on Capitol Hill.
Inside a renowned French restaurant, crystal chandeliers cast a soft glow as waiters glided silently between tables, silver trays in hand.
Senator Edward O'Connor sat in a booth by the window.
He had just cut into the filet mignon on his plate, and the tender juices flowed out, mingling with the aroma of black pepper.
His wife, seated across from him, was enjoying a bowl of truffle soup. Beside him, his twelve-year-old daughter fiddled with her fork, complaining about her math test tomorrow.
O'Connor was in a good mood.
He had just cast an affirmative vote on the "Critical Infrastructure and Healthcare Worker Safety Protection Act."
Although the decision left him feeling a little uneasy, the reelection campaign funds promised by the insurance company lobbyists had already been deposited into his Super PAC's account.
Eight million US Dollars, to be exact.
