(G. Mennen “Soapy” Williams, governor of Michigan).

I wanted to write about the way TLB’s hair shimmered with highlights when she walked into Willow last night. Honestly, I don’t think I have seen her look so lovely, and I have to say that Jon-without was at his dapper best.

I was doing my best to stay away from anything that could be taken wrong: the revelations of the moment were that the VA had spent $500 million on new office furniture, which I am sure they needed, while dozens of Vets died waiting for care. Then someone said that the Department had also spent $700 million on malpractice since 2002, making the scandal thoroughly bi-partisan in nature.

Heather was managing a private party and phasing in and out of the little crowd at the bar. Old Jim was next to me in the usual place. Dante was behind the bar, with Brett Maverick and Boomer.

“Is this all a scheme to force the Vets onto the Health Care Exchanges, since the system clearly doesn’t work? Does that mean the retirees are next?” I made a rhetorical statement to no one in particular and Jim harrumphed and said I was paranoid, and it didn’t matter anyway.

I nodded in vague agreement. “You would think that a budget of $152.7 billion and 280,000 employees would get you a little bit more bang for you buck.”

“Time for reform,” said Jon-without.

I looked at him and suddenly it hit me. Jon was a dead ringer for a former governor of Michigan, a reformer and one of the most popular chief executives in the State’s history.

“Do you know who G. Mennen Williams is?” I asked, thunderstrick at the revelation.

“Who?”

“Soapy Williams. Demorat governor in the late ‘50s and early ‘60s.”

“Soapy wore a bow tie like you, Jon. You could be brothers.”

“Soapy? Why did they call him that?”

“His mom came from a prominent family; her father founded the Mennen brand of men’s personal care products. Hence Soapy.”

“He was a reformer, too.”

“Sounds like something we could use right now. I looked at Jon speculatively. “Are you interested in politics?”

“No,” he said. “I am interested in the shredded pork sliders, though.”

“A wise choice,” I said, and took a deep sip of Happy Hour White.

Copyright 2014 Vic Socotra
www.vicsocotra.com
Twitter: @jayare303