Members of the Old Ivy Republican Club have more questions for Mr. Parvulesco.
A girl Roderick recognizes stands up. "I have a follow-up question. If the Republicans let the Bush tax cuts expire, won't that be bad for the economy?"
Mr. Parvulesco shrugs. "Who knows?"
The girl persists. "Don't you think that tax increases are bad for the economy?"
"What economy? Whose economy? Who knows?"
Roderick thinks about something Mr. Rothschild said in his History of Banking class -- that "The Economy" is a metaphor for the collective behavior of millions of people around the world. He stands to ask a question.
"Mr. Parvulesco, won't tax increases be bad for those of us who actually pay taxes?"
Mr. Parvulesco brightens, as if he finally has an intelligent question to field. "Well, yes, and that's why Republicans in Congress should let all of the Bush tax cuts expire."
Roderick looks quizzical.
Mr. Parvulesco continues. "Democrats propose to extend the tax cuts for all but 'the wealthy'. That's a deliberate attempt to drive a wedge between middle-class taxpayers and upper income taxpayers. The Republicans should stand for the taxpaying class as a whole and not let Democrats play divide-and-conquer'".
"Isn't half a loaf better than none?"
"Not in this case. The Democratic machine is based on spending and giving people free stuff in return for votes. The only check on that is an organized and angry taxpayer class. If the Bush tax cuts expire everyone pays more taxes, more voters will care about putting limits on spending."
"But isn't that risky?"
"Somebody else asked the same question a little while ago. Risky how? The Bush tax cuts expire at the end of this year. In 2014, nobody will remember what Congress did in 2012."
Lily Chang stands up. "OK we're going to break for refreshments now, and then we'll have time for more questions for Mr. Parvulesco."
Roderick stands up and stretches. Grabbing a drink and plate of cookies, he mingles with the crowd, looking for someone he knows. He sees Miss Troll standing by herself and strolls over.
He tests his pick-up skills. "Hi, I'd like to send you a link to a nifty website with tips about personal hygiene." He figures girls really dig guys who are helpful.
"Fuck off, pig!" It's pretty clear that Miss Troll isn't taking the bait.
"Hmmph," says Roderick, sipping his drink. Well, that didn't go well.
"Roderick Smith!" It's Lily Chang, stunning in her bright red dress with daringly low cleavage. Roderick still thinks she's surprisingly buxom for an Asian girl, even if she really is from Minneapolis.
Roderick smiles. "Hey! Good to see you! Wasn't that a great meeting on Monday?"
"What meeting?" says Lily gesturing to him to button his lip. Oh, right. Members of Cyathos et Gladios do not talk about Cyathos et Gladios outside of Cyathos et Gladios. Lily takes him by the elbow and steers him to a private corner of the room.
"I'm glad you came," Lily whispers. "I really dig Republican guys."
Roderick is flattered to hear this coming from someone as gorgeous as Lily and with such a revealing neckline, although Lily's interest in "Republican' guys doesn't really rule anyone out at Old Ivy.
He returns the whisper. "Do you still watch a lot of TV and hang out with Negroes?"
"There's no time for TV here at Old Ivy and not many Negroes, so I've broadened my interests." She makes a gesture that indicates in just what way her interests have broadened, a very specific gesture referring to something that he and Molly have not yet done.
"Oh. Heh heh." Roderick learned that from Mr. Smiley.
"And I hear that you play clarinet. Do you play the saxophone, too? I just melt for guys who play the saxophone."
Roderick does not play the saxophone. He's aware that the saxophone is cool, and that women melt for guys who play the sax. He doesn't. But he's thinking about it.
