Two minutes and forty-five seconds.
“I want to start by thanking everyone in this room who have taken time out of their day to address such a senseless, baseless matter. It has been brought to my attention that parts of my life that are reserved for my eyes and ears only have been plastered across your screens in an effort to tarnish my name, credibility, character, and smear my campaign.
“For my first point, fuck whoever you are who put the face of an innocent, loving, and incredibly smart woman who was simply experiencing a string of unfortunate events one evening and fully expected the man she shares personal time with to be of assistance on the screen of people who have real life issues they’re facing daily. Like hunger, childcare needs, low wages, declining test scores, housing–real life crisis that my opponent isn’t doing much about because he has his head too far up his own ass.”
Gasps followed my candid thoughts. Matte’s hand on my shoulder did little to steer me in the direction we’d discussed. Royce’s face was fresh in my memory. It wasn’t my image I cared to protect today. It was hers and the women around the world under the scrutiny of the male gaze.
“Secondly, what I do in my spare time is none of your concern. I’m human–just like you all. I’m not perfect and I’ve never made that claim during this campaign. However, out of all the pleasantries I’ve paid for in my life, a woman’s body has never been one. I find their value to be far beyond the limits of our financial capabilities. But, speaking of the bodies of women, I’m led to my next point.
“Aren’t we tired of policing them? By them, I’m referring to the very real estate of a woman. It’s not ours. It’s not ours to make rules or laws or assumptions or decisions about. Just like my spare time shouldn’t concern you, neither should their bodies. Using sex worker or escort or prostitute as derogatoryterms when men quite literally walk around each day trying to prove they have bigger balls than the next man is idiotic.
“Fourthly, my significant other is a lot of great things, but she’s nothing she’s been referred to as for the last few days. Next time she crosses your screen, be sure to remember that she’s a beautiful, well-educated, resourceful, entrepreneurial, witty, adventurous, brave, and confident Black woman who cares little about what the world thinks of her and everything about what she thinks of herself.
“She’s not afraid of her reflection in the mirror. I can’t say the same for Daniels, Herd, or the person who turned a tender moment into a public display of malice and ill intent.”
I had nothing further to say. Neither did I care to answer questions. There were forty seconds left on the clock. I didn’t have those to spare.
I was back in my office, bathing in solitude, by the time the time ran out. Outside of my door, hands came together, sounding off in the silence. I peered out of the glass to find my staff in celebration.
I waved a hand, letting Matte know it was okay for her to come in. She rushed inside.
“Oh shoots.”
She tripped over her feet, landing face first in front of my desk. She’d disappeared. I waited patiently for her to rise again. This was typical of Matte. She was working with two left feet.
“You good?”
Chuckling, she nodded. Simultaneously, she pulled her dress down. She was no longer apologetic for her clumsiness. And, everyone in the office had gotten accustomed to it.
“I’ve never been better, sir.”
“What’s with the celebration?”
“Your speech, Mr. Grayson. It has social media buzzing. Especially the parts where you used profanity. And, the partsabout policing women’s bodies. Oh, and, about sex work or escorts not being derogatory terms. And, of course, Royce.”
“Royce? They’ve mentioned her name?”
Matte nodded.
“Um hm. It seems as though they’ve discovered who the mystery woman is.”
“And?”
“Uncovered pictures of you two. Is there anything you haven’t told us?”
I shook my head, “Nah. I told you she was handling it.”
“If this is her way of going about things, then– well– I like it.”
“She’s good at her job.”
“She’s pretty darn impressive.”
I nodded.
“And, pretty.”
I nodded, again.
