I also bought a Nokona X2 Elite Series 1275 baseball glove. My current gloves were for the infield, and I needed a slightly longer glove for the outfield. I picked the Nokona 12.75 inch because it was made of kangaroo leather. It’s stronger and lighter than cow leather, or so I was told. It had a composite padding system that offered increased protection and comfort, and I picked the H-shaped webbing. I couldn’t wait to break it in.
They talked me into getting a sliding glove that looked like a seal flipper. It covered your fingers and thumb to prevent hand injuries when sliding headfirst into a base. I think they saw me coming because when the afternoon was over, I ended up spending more than Brook.
◊◊◊
The dinner/fundraiser was held in one of the ballrooms. I watched the various politicians to see how they interacted with the donors. Ian Davis and Jack Mass found me.
“Why are you so intense?” Ian asked as he sipped his cocktail.
“I’m watching the politicians work the room. I bet I can predict who wins and who doesn’t, based on what I see,” I said.
The two men were now intrigued.
“I’m not sure what we’d bet, but I’ll bite,” Jack said.
“For you to understand, I think you need me to show you what I do. Do either of you need anything?” I asked.
“What are you talking about?” Ian asked.
“Just that, do you need anything? I’m going to talk to people who have money and are here to give it to Governor Higgins,” I said.
They both looked at me like I’d lost my mind.
“Fine, come with me and learn,” I said with a smirk.
I walked up to the first couple. They both had to be in their seventies.
“I wanted to introduce myself. I’m David Dawson. This is Jack Mass of Mass Investments, and this is Ian Davis, Political Science professor at State,” I said as I shook their hands.
“I’m Bill Carl, and this is my wife Elinor. I’m a retired banker and minority owner of the Chicago Cubs.”
“My plan is to play for the Cubs someday. I just got an acceptance to try out for the Under-18 USA Baseball Team,” I said.
“Dawson?” Bill pondered for a moment, and then said, “I think I recognize that name. Are you related to Davey Dawson?”
“Yes, he was my grandfather. My grandmother has me volunteering for Governor Higgins to help him get reelected. I was with him at his three events today.”
“You’re the actor,” Elinor said.
“Yes, I have a movie out right now.”
“Anything I would watch?” Bill asked.
“Probably not. Hey, I don’t want to monopolize your time, I just wanted to introduce myself,” I said and then paused. “I do have a question for you. Right now, I’m in the process of getting my taxes done, and my accountant keeps telling me I need to donate some money to lessen the bill. Have you had them tell you that?”
“Not yet, but I get it every year,” Bill admitted.
“I have two charities that help cancer patients and unwed mothers. Would it be okay if I had one of my people contact your people to give you some information?”
“Just have them call me,” Elinor said.
I got her contact info and wished them a good night. Then I did it five more times and was told ‘no’ only once. I figured Caryn could make some calls on Monday.
“Okay, I see how you’re building your contacts, but I don’t see how you can tell which politician will be successful and which ones won’t,” Jack said.
I think Ian had started to see the light.
“This morning, Senator Dixon told me the thing he liked doing least was fundraising. This event is a straight-up fundraiser for politicians. Watch Governor Higgins. I can tell he was trained by my grandfather on how to work a room with a purpose. I sometimes do it just to get to know people, other times I do it with a goal in mind.
“If I were a politician, I’d make it a point to talk to each and every person in this room. I’d have a five-minute conversation to either solicit funds or make an appointment to do it later,” I said.
“I understand that money’s important for a campaign, but I don’t understand how you can equate that to success in an election,” Jack said.
“Well, it’s twofold. The first is you need funds to win. The second is you have to be likable. Watch your wife,” I said.
We watched for five minutes while she stood stiffly to the side. Occasionally she’d nod to someone.
“Look, I’m not saying this to be mean, but she’s acting like a DA. She’s holding people at arm’s length like she might have to prosecute them someday. Bev won’t win if people don’t like her, especially with the issues she faces. At the very best, people will be neutral towards her,” I suggested.
“He’s not afraid to share his opinions, is he?” Jack asked.
“No, but he’s righter than you might think. If I were Bev’s campaign manager, that would be the first thing I’d work on. The impression I get is she’s a hell of a State’s Attorney,” Ian said.
“But?” Jack asked.
“David’s right. She’s standoffish in a room full of supporters.”
I think Jack got it, and he made his way across the room to talk to his wife. Her head snapped around, and she gave me the evil eye.
“I don’t think she likes what he’s saying,” Ian said.
