A Girl's Best Friend

Happy Birthday, USA.

July 4th, 1976.

"Mommy, how old is America?" Samantha looked up as they waited for the fireworks to start.

"America is 200 years old. Can you believe that?"

The kids smiled. Paul then looked at the sky. "The fireworks are going to be so cool. Why can't they start now?"

Marilyn laughed at her son's excitement. "Because Paul, it's not dark enough yet."

They were in a park [1] that was near their home. Fortunately for them, they were not recognized. It was getting dark. Marilyn was looking in the distance thinking. 'Joe should be here too.'

"Mommy?"

Marilyn looked at her son and smiled. "Yes, dear?"

"When I grow up, I want to be a baseball player."

Though Marilyn still smiled, a tear escaped her eye. "That's wonderful dear."

"Then why are you crying?"

Marilyn wiped away the tear. "I was just thinking of your Daddy. He would have loved to teach you how to play."

Paul's eyes grew wide. "Really?"

Marilyn smiled and nodded.

"Mommy, do you need a hug?" asked Samantha.

"Yes I do." After a long hug, Marilyn looked at her daughter.

"What do you want to be when you grow up?"

"I want to be president."

Marilyn looked at her. Then she smiled. For she knew the perils of Hollywood. While she would have loved her kids to follow in her footsteps, it was good that they were setting their own goals. Though those goals may change.

Paul pointed up. "Mommy look."

The fireworks started. For the moment things were wonderful.

[1] Don't ask which one. The closest one in or around Brentwood that does 4th of July fireworks. Angelinos who live in the area can say which one.
 
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Fiat lux

September 8th, 1988

"Thank you again, Mrs. Monroe," the young woman said.

"No problem at all." Marilyn had finished signing the autograph.

"Are you going to go back to TV again soon?"

"I finished filming the second season premier of The New Generation back in June."

"Sela is coming back?"

Marilyn smiled. "Yes she is."

Marilyn continued smiling as they said their goodbyes and the young woman ran off to class. Samantha and Paul came up.

Samantha put a hand on her shoulder. "You ok, mom?"

"Yes. Why?"

Samantha and Paul looked at each other. Paul said, "It's just with us out of the house most of the time and you slowing your career down. Well, we're worried about you."

Marilyn smiled again. It was true that, ever since The Marilyn Monroe Show ended in 1980, she had started to slow down. But that was her decision. She had no regrets about that.

"You need not worry. I'll be fine."

"You sure?" asked Samantha. "I mean it's the first day we don't really have to go in."

Marilyn shook her head. "I insist. Besides, I have a rally to attend."

Paul raised an eyebrow. "Do you really think that Governor Cuomo has a chance of beating Vice President Dole?"

Marilyn chucked. "Maybe not. But I have to go anyway. Don't tell anyone I said that."

They hugged and parted ways. Reaching her car, she thought, 'my daughter the lawyer and my son the ballplayer. At least Paul is taking a business course.'

The radio came on when her car did. "President Bush closed a trade deal with Japan earlier today. He said that this deal will bring the United States and Japan closer than ever. Staying with politics Former President Bobby Kennedy is campaigning hard for the Cuomo campaign in Massachusetts. Despite what some pundits are saying Governor Cuomo insists that he will not be President Kennedy's third term."

'Bobby left office in 1981 and people are still spouting that line about the Democrats?' Marilyn thought. 'Bush maybe a good president but he has not done enough to solve all our problems. And that's what got him elected in '80 and 84.'

It was one of the few things that got her mad. Politicians not doing what they can to help the average person. She had done more to help. Still Mario Cuomo promised to help. And he had helped in New York so why not the rest of the country. Marilyn smiled at that.
 
Rookie of the Year

October 26th, 1997

"This is it folks," the announcer said. "Game six of the 1997 World Series, here in sunny Los Angeles. The Dodgers have put up a good fight but it looks like it will be the Yankees' series to lose."

Up in the VIP box Marilyn Monroe was watching it all unfold. At 69, she was slowing down. Though her health was still good, she was thinking of retiring. She smiled to herself. Joe would be proud. Paul on the New York Yankees and as a center fielder too. What are the odds? The door opened behind her.

"Sorry I'm late. Had to help my boss with some paperwork." Samantha came into the box and kissed her mother on the cheek.

"Hasn't started yet, dear."

The man who came with her was standing at the window. Carl Beckett had been engaged to Samantha since last June. Though they hadn't set a date yet, all involved agreed that it should be a small quiet affair.

Joining him at the window, they waited for the game to start.

Carl spoke. "You know I've never been one for baseball."

Samantha looked at him. "Really? In the three years I've known you, you didn't say."

Carl put his arm around her. "Because I didn't want to seem unsupportive. I think you should tell your mom."

"Not yet. I want everyone to be here."

Marilyn arched an eyebrow. "Tell me what?"

The door opened revealing Paul's wife Hikari and two children, Charlotte, age 4, and Simone, age 1. Samantha whispered "I'll tell you tomorrow."

The next day, the Yankees won the World Series, everyone woke up late.

"Nice to see that you kept our old rooms in order," Paul said.

Marilyn smiled. "I do what I can."

"Gandma," Charlotte said. "Can we help make beakfust?"

"Of course."

Hikari seemed nervous. "Are you sure you should do that?"

"I won't let them do anything truly dangerous, don't worry."

"It's just-I don't know Marilyn-"

Marilyn pointed a spoon at her. "How many times do I have to tell you, call me mom. You married my son almost five years ago. I think you earned that right when you did that."

Hikari smiled. Yes it was some getting used to being the daughter in law of one of the most prolific actresses of the age.

Samantha, Carl and Paul came into the room. "So." Marilyn said. "What's this big announcement you want to share?"

"Well, since Senator Boxer is not running again next year, I am going to run in her place."

There was silence in the room. Finally Marilyn said, "That's wonderful sweetheart but are you sure you will be old enough? I mean you were born in December. Wait never mind you will be old enough by the swearing in ceremony."

Samantha smiled. "That's what the leadership said."

Paul smiled at her. "Democrat or Republican?"

"Oh I think Uncle Bobby would kill me if I became a Republican. I mean President Powell is a good man and all but I will not join that party. I have too many disagreements with their policies."

Carl smiled slightly. "You're still mad that President Biden lost to President Powell in 96."

Marilyn started stirring the waffle mix. "Not as mad as some Republicans were when President Biden defeated President Dole in 92."

There was laughter at this. For the moment, all was right in the world.
 
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Sounds good. I think you meant 1996 which is why you wrote 1997 at the top and "1995 World Series" below - you averaged them out. :)

Did Cuomo win and something happen to him during his term in office that Biden was the one who lost to Powell?
 
Sounds good. I think you meant 1996 which is why you wrote 1997 at the top and "1995 World Series" below - you averaged them out. :)

Did Cuomo win and something happen to him during his term in office that Biden was the one who lost to Powell?

Damn. No Cuomo lost to Dole, who lost to Biden, who lost to Powell.
 
A Sequel to Trouble

September 11th, 2001

"Our guest tonight is a talented actress, who has stared in such movies as Niagara, Some Like It Hot, The Trail of Mata Hari, King Harold's Mine and so many other great movies. Her latest is The Lonesome."

Roslyn: A lot has changed since then, Guido.

Guido: I know, but I've still carried this torch for you all these years.

Roslyn: Why did you wait until our sunset years to tell me?

Guido: I wasn't sure that what's changed included your feelings toward me.

Jon Leibowitz started when the clip ended. "Please welcome to the program, Marilyn Monroe."

As she walked out, Jon came over to great her. "Nice to meet you."

"Nice to meet you."

As the applause died down, Marilyn sat on the couch and Jon sat in his chair.

"This couch is really comfortable."

"You like it?"

"I don't like the design.

"Oh, well it was the last guy's."

Marilyn and the audience laugh.

"How are you?"

"Feeling great. For my age. My charity is keeping me busy."

Jon pointed his pen at her. "That would be Marilyn's Children, correct?"

"That's right. Six years old today."

Applause.

"Congratulations. That's really something."

"Thank you. And I do want to thank you Jon, for your help with the telethon. Those kids really do need all the help we can give them."

"Don't mention it. But let's talk about this move."

"Yes let's."

"I guess the first and most obvious question is: Why a sequel to The Misfits?"

"Well, Jon, I thought about it and, having watched it for the first time in a long time, I thought 'this ending leaves it too open ended.' I wanted to end that chapter of my life."

"But you hated that film and your performance in it."

Marilyn smiled. "I did. Still do to a degree-"

"Even though you won a Golden Globe for it."

"Yes I got a lot of praise for it. But I was going through a lot of emotions at the time. The film didn't exactly help."

"So what's the plot of this movie?"

"Well it's 40 years later and Roslyn has taken over the horse ranch that Clark Gable's character had. It's now a dude ranch."

"And what's Eli Wallach doing there?"

"He was hired on to help out. Roslyn handles the business, Guido handles the horses, with his granddaughter."

"She's played by Hannah Bell, right?"

"Yes, wonderful young actress. I see bright things for her."

"That's nice. So you run the ranch and Eli Wallach confesses his love to you, which leads to a whole other sets problems correct?"

"Yes, it's a Romance movie about finding love again."

Jon smiles and holds out his hand. "Well, I think it will do great."

Marilyn smiles and shakes Jon's hand. "Thank you, Jon."

"You're welcome. The Lonesome is in theatres this Friday. Marilyn Monroe everybody."
 
Convention-al Wisdom

July 26th, 2004

"It's just too bad that you retired, mom."

Marilyn smiled. "I left at the right time two years ago. I have my family, my health and my charity. I see no reason to go back into acting."

Samantha grinned. "Still hasn't stopped you from making the occasional cameo, though."

Marilyn laughed. "That was only as myself. Anyway, you still have to practice for your big speech tonight."

Samantha looked out at the crowd in Madison Square Gardens in New York. "I know. I'm nervous thought, mom."

"Why? It's just another speech you've given hundreds of them before. I mean last year you gave a four hour speech in support of President Powell's immigration plan."

Samantha smiled. "I know mom, but this is the Democratic National Convention. It is different."

"How?"

"I could be seen as a potential candidate in 2008 if things go wrong for us."

"I wouldn't count on it dear. You're still in your first term in the Senate. When was the last time a first year junior Senator was asked to run for president?"

Samantha thought for a second. "You're right."

Marilyn smiled at that. "Any idea of how the nominee will be?"

"For us or the Republicans?"

"Both."

"For us, Dennis Kucinich for president and Bill Richardson for vice president are the odds on favorites."

"And the Republicans?"

"I'd say Vice President Luger for president and Kelly Ayotte for vice president."

"Well, hopefully we'll win."

"That's what we thought in 2000."

"President Powell maybe popular but that doesn't mean that that popularity is transferable."

Samantha shrugged. "All the same, I'm not getting my hopes up until we get a majority on election day."

The curtain was pulled back "Senator, we're ready."

Samantha looked at her mother. "Knock 'em dead, kiddo."
 
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The Start of the Biggest Job Interview in the World

July 14th, 2015

"Are you sure you want to run for president, sis?" Paul asked her.

"Yes. And I think that I can beat President Paul, should I get the nomination."

The General Manager of the New York Yankees shook his head. "What do you think, mom?"

"I think your brother is right to be concerned. In the past eleven almost twelve years we have had: Dick Luger, Hilary Clinton and now Ron Paul. America might decide to elect President Paul to a second term."

Paul smiled. "Thank you."

Samantha pointed her fingers at them. "But President Paul's poll numbers are down."

"For now sis. Who knows what will happen between now and the election."

"You're right in a way little brother. Anything can happen. Which why I'm going to run."

Marilyn laughed at that. "Sometimes you remind me of your father. Once you get an idea in your head you pursue it no matter what."

Samantha brightened. "So you'll support me?"

"Of course, sis."

Marilyn smiled. "I still have one campaign left in me."

Samantha clapped. "Great." She looked at her watch. "I have to go. Carl is picking up the kids from camp and I have to get to the UCLA campus for the announcement. I'll see you there."
 
Who is the Master Debater?

November 14th, 2015

"I agree with Senator Sanders that there needs to be more done. Do you have a schedule on when your proposals will be done?"

The scene switched to Bernie Sanders who looked taken aback. Watching from her California home, Marilyn was with Laurie and Martin, Samantha's twin teenage children. She smiled as her daughter managed to hold her own at the first Democratic Primary debate at the University of Puerto Rico in San Juan.

"I do have a schedule and it will be on my website soon."

Samantha smiled. "I put my plans up on my website already."

Marilyn winced. 'That might come back to bite you dear.'

"I wish we could be with mom," Laurie said. "Are you sure you can't travel yet Grandma."

Marilyn smiled. "I'm afraid the doctors say that I still need rest. I just had a heart attack Laurie."

"I know Grandma. It's just...well, I want to travel to all 51 states and I want to do so soon."

Marilyn laughed. "You remind me of me when I was your age. I wanted to travel too, though for different reasons."

"What were you doing when you were 17, Grandma?" asked Martin.

"I dropped out of high school and got married."

Laurie and Martin looked at each other and then Marilyn in surprise then went back to the debate.

"Governor Feingold, I think you will find that I have been very consistent on the issue of Marriage equality. I have supported it all my life. This should be a nonissue. I cannot believe that you of all people would attack me on this issue."

A bell sounded. "And that is the end of the first candidate's debate in the Democratic Primary. For CBS News I'm Dan Rather."
 
Is it safe?

July 21st, 2016

"I do love Miami Beach," Laurie said, stretching her arms wide and enjoying the sun. "The sun, the surf, the food-"

"The women," said Martin as two women in bikinis walked past.

Laurie scowled at her little twin brother while Marilyn laughed at them.

"You two are something else. Makes me wish I had a younger sibling I was close to."

Martin looked at his grandmother. "Grandma, I wanted to ask you something."

Marilyn looked over her sunglasses at him. "What?"

Martin looked uncomfortable. "What is it?"

"It's just that my friends and I found this old calendar, at a garage sale, and then when they recognized you they looked you up and found you in Playboy and-"

Marilyn laughed. "I wondered why they were looking at me like that."

Laurie and Martin looked at her. Laurie asked "You actually did pose nude?"

"Oh don't look so shocked. I was 24 at the time those photos were taken and I needed the money."

"And you don't mind if my friends look at them?"

Marilyn smiled. "Marty it does me good to remember that I had a body that people drooled over. But those days are long gone now. Anyway, we have to go back to the convention cent-"

Marilyn started to grasp at her chest, her breathe becoming shorter.

Laurie called out to the Secret Service detail guarding them to call an ambulance, and hoped that it would get there in time.
 
Something to celebrate

November 8th, 2016

After the scare in Miami Beach Marilyn decided to take things easy for a while. Though she was present at campaign stops, they were few and far between. In the end Senator Samantha DiMaggio-Beckett of California and her running mate, Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, won in a landslide.

Marilyn watched the returns with her daughter in Samantha's Los Angeles home. She smiled at that. It was one of the happiest moments of her life.
 
I shall not fail that rendezvous

January 27th, 2017

Marilyn had lived a long life. Though not always happy, she did what she could and did it well.

"This isn't happening," President Samantha DiMaggio-Beckett said.

Marilyn smiled slightly. "Believe it, dear." Her voice was barely there. Her words were slightly slurred. She was dying, she was really dying.

"Is Paul here?"

"He'll be here-" Hikari began.

"I'm here." Paul was at the door breathing heavily. "Sorry I couldn't be here faster. I only just heard a few hours ago."

Marilyn smiled. Her family was here. They were all here. She turned her head to the side. Her smile grew wider.

"I'll finally be with Joe again."

As she breathed her last, Marilyn thought about how lucky she really was. Especially after one August night in 1962.

FIN.
 
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