Wildcards

Then he banged a fist on the table, rattling dishes. The bodyguards tensed in their seats, the others around the table jumped at the sound. "That's the same crap all you politicians hand out," the dwarf growled. "The JJS has heard it for years now. Be good and roll over like a good dog and we'll throw you a few table scraps. It's time we were let in on the feast, Hartma

Hartma

"Then, stop them," Sondra said. The scotch slurred her words, and she shook her head. "No one questions the fact that you care. So stop 'em."

Hartma

"Roll over, doggie," Miller drawled, and then he howled loudly, throwing his head back. Around the dining room, patrons began to glance toward them. Tachyon peered at them with frank anger and Hiram's worried face emerged from the kitchen doors. One of the secret service men began to rise but Gregg waved him down. "Mr. Miller, please. I'm trying to talk realities with you. There's only so much money and help available, and if you persist in antagonizing those who control them, you'll only hurt yourselves. And I'm telling you that fucking `reality' is in the streets of Jokertown. C'mon down and rub your nose in the shit, Senator. Take a look at the poor creatures wandering the streets, the ones the virus wasn't kind enough to kill, the ones that drag themselves down the sidewalk on stumps, the blind ones, or the ones with two heads or four arms. The ones who drool as they talk, the ones who hide in darkness because the sun burns them, the ones for whom the slightest touch is agony." Miller's voice rose, the tone vibrant and deep. Around the table, jaws had dropped; the reporters scribbled notes. Sondra could feel it as well, the throbbing power in that voice, compelling. She'd seen Miller stand before a jeering crowd in Jokertown and in fifteen minutes have them listening quietly, nodding to his words. Even Gregg was leaning forward, caught.

Listen to him, but be careful. His voice is that of the snake, mesmerizing, and when he's snared you, he'll pounce. "That's your reality,'" Miller purred. "Your goddamn convention's just an act. And I tell you now, Senator"-his voice was suddenly a shout "the JJS will take our protests into the streets."

"Mr. Miller-" Gregg began.

"Gimli!" Miller shouted, and his voice went strident all wer gone, as if Miller had used up some i

Sondra tugged at Miller's arm; he shrugged her away. "Let me alone. I want them to see how much I hate them."

"Hate's useless," Gregg insisted. "None of us here hate you. If you knew the hours I've put in for the jokers, all the drudge work that Amy and John have gone through…" "You don't fucking live it!" Miller screamed it. Spittle flew from his mouth, dappling the front of Gregg's jacket. Everyone in the room stared now, and the bodyguards lurched from their seats. Only Gregg's hand held them back.

"Can't you see that we're your allies, not enemies?"

"No ally of mine would have a face like yours, Senator. You're too damn normal. You want to feel like one of the jokers? Then let me help you learn what it's like to be pitied." Before any of them could react, Miller crouched. His thick, powerful legs hurled him toward the senator. His fingers curled like claws as he reached for Gregg's face. Gregg recoiled, his hands coming up. Sondra's mouth was open in the begi

And the dwarf suddenly collapsed onto the table as if a gigantic hand had struck him out of the air. The table bowed and splintered under him, glasses and china cascading to the floor. Miller gave a high, pitiful squeal like a wounded animal as Hiram, a molten fury on his red face, half-ran across the dining room toward them, as the secret service men vainly tugged at Miller's arms to get him off the floor. "Damn, the little shit's heavy," one of them muttered.

"Out of my restaurant!" Hiram thundered. He bulled his way between the bodyguards and bent over the dwarf. He plucked up the man as if he were a feather-Gimli seemed to bob in the air, buoyant, his mouth working soundlessly, his face bleeding from several small scratches. "You are never to set foot in here again!" Hiram roared, a plump finger wagging before the dwarf's startled eyes. Hiram began to march toward the exit, towing the dwarf as if pulling a balloon and scolding him the entire time. "You insult my people, you behave abominably, you even threaten the senator, who's only trying to help…" Hiram's voice trailed off as the foyer doors swung shut behind him, as Hartma

Gregg sighed and shook his head at Sondra, who gaped after the dwarf. "Ms. Falin, I beg you-if you've any control over the JJS and Miller, please hold him back. I meant what I said. You only endanger your own cause. Truly." He seemed more sad than angry. He looked at the destruction around his feet and sighed. "Poor Hiram," he said. "And I promised him."

The alcohol she'd consumed made Sondra dizzy and slow. She nodded to Gregg and realized that they were all looking at her, waiting for her to say something. She shook her gray, wizened head to them. "I'll try," was all she could mutter. Then: "Excuse me, please." Sondra turned and fled the room, her arthritic knees protesting.

She could feel Gregg's stare on her hunched back.

FLOOR VOTE ON JOKERS' RIGHTS TONIGHT The New York Times, July 15,