The images just seen by millions all around the world were riveting, ominous, and dire in their import. How does one go to sleep after what has just been seen? There must be something more. As the crowd begins to stir, the President who had been standing passively aside, now turns and speaks, both to those present, and to the TV cameras still streaming live coverage to viewers all around the world.
His statement is terse and cryptic.
“Ladies and gentlemen, tomorrow night we will be with you again, and then all questions will be answered.”
With this Ken Myers takes his wife’s hand, and lovingly embraces her.
“Carol, I want you to get some sleep.”
“What about you?”
“I have to stay here.”
“Why? Why do you have to stay? What’s happening here, Ken? Does this have anything to do with what your mother was talking about? I’m not leaving here if you’re not coming.”
At this point the Vice President interjects.
“Mr. President, what’s going on? The nation needs to know.”
“The nation will know, and the world. I promise you. You’re a good man, Scott. We’ll need you tomorrow night, and I know you’ll play your part. It’s why you were chosen.”
“What do you mean?”
“I can say no more.”
Now a detail of six Secret Service agents move in close to the President with the unambiguous intention of physically removing him from any possible danger. The tone and demeanor of the lead agent make it clear that the President has no choice but to leave the area immediately.
“Mr. President, I have orders to escort you, and the Vice President to a safe location. If you’ll both come with me, please.”
“Scott, why don’t you go and get some rest? I have to stay here.”
“You can’t do that, Mr. President. It’s dangerous here. You must leave,” the Secret Service agent says.
“No, I can’t do that, and I wouldn’t want to. You’ll understand.”
“Sir, I’m sorry, but I have orders to remove you from this area and bring you to a safe place, and that’s what I intend to do.”
“I’m afraid that’s not possible.”
“Mr. Vice President are you going to be as obstinate?” the agent asks.
“No, no, I’m ready, but I’ll be back tomorrow night. Come on, Ken, it’s time to go,” the Vice President says to the President.
“Sir, please come with us.”
The Secret Service agent waits for the President to comply, and when he doesn’t, reluctantly tells him, “I’m sorry, Sir you give me no choice.”
As the agent puts his hand on the President’s back to usher him away, he suddenly and unexpectedly pulls back. Trying again, he is repulsed again.
“What is that?” he asks.
“It’s just a gentle shock of electricity. It won’t hurt you, but it will be commensurate with the force you choose to exert. You have no power to interfere with what’s taking place here.”
At this, the agent attempts to grab the President’s arm, and lurches back from the electrical shock.
“I appreciate your concern. I know you want to protect me. I’ll be fine. Don’t worry,” the President says.
Once more, and very tentatively, the agent extends his finger cautiously. When it’s only a few inches from the President’s body, electrical current is seen arcing to his finger, and again he lurches back.
“I wouldn’t do that anymore if I were you. You can help me, though, if you would,” the President says.
“Sir?”
“If you would get a blanket for my wife, and one for me as well, if you can find one. It might get chilly later on.”
Not knowing what to do next, the lead agent tells the President, “Mr. President if you choose to stay, I’m staying as well.”
“‘Be governed by your knowledge, and proceed in the sway of your own will.’ That’s what Cordelia said to the physician who was attending her father, King Lear. Are you familiar with Shakespeare’s plays?”
“No, Sir, I’m not.”
“Come, then. Stay with us tonight. I’ll tell you the story. Your world is filled with beauty and wondrous things, undiscovered.”
Puzzled for a moment, Agent Forbes thinks to himself, 'wondrous things undiscovered' what's that supposed to mean? He then turns to Scott Conner.
“Mr. Vice President, if you’ll please come with us. I’ll be back in a few minutes Mr. President”
As the Vice President is escorted away, police are taping the area off, and more security personnel move into the area. With TV cameras rolling, the world watches the continuing scene in Olympic Stadium. No longer visually strewn across the sky, millions now go inside to see televised images continually streaming from the scene. Compared to what they’ve just witnessed, the scene is markedly less dramatic. It’s nearly 2:30 in the morning in Miami. A perimeter has been formed around the strange alien craft still dominating everyone’s attention. The President, his wife, and four Secret Service agents are within thirty feet of the spacecraft. The public has been moved back, but still remain in considerable numbers. As weariness comes, Mrs. Myers still sitting beside her husband, slowly succumbs to sleep. With most activity in abeyance, an army truck pulls up alongside the area. An officer quickly gets out, and approaches the President.