The Invitation(5)
“Well, if he thinks that conservatives in Congress are just gunna lay down, and roll over, he’s in for a surprise.”
“I don’t know. It looks like he has the votes.”
“I don’t care how many votes he has.… Wouldn’t bother me if he just disappeared.”
“The country would be a lot better off,” says Senator Miles.
“He’s gunna give a big speech at the Olympics. Wait, and see. No other President has done that.”
“Sure, it’s for political advantage. You remember he lobbied hard for the Olympics when he was Governor of Florida. I think he was lookin’ ahead.”
“I wouldn’t put it past him. I don’t mean him any harm, but I know a lot of people who would like to see ̓him stopped.”
“Yeah, I’m one of ̓em. Well, we’ll do what we can to slow ̓him down. Come on, Nathan. Let’s see what Martha has on the grill.”
“Sounds good.”
As two disgruntled Senators commiserate on what they see as America's final decline, the subject of their discontent remains in the nation’s capital. We find President Myers in the Oval Office, still working the phones, trying to persuade Senators to vote for the impending energy bill. As he hangs up the phone, his secretary pages him.
“General Croft is here, Sir.”
“Thank you, Helen, please send him in.”
Moments later the tall, uniform-clad Secretary of the Air Force enters, and is greeted by his Commander in Chief.
“General Croft, it’s good to see you again.”
“Thank you, Mr. President, it’s good to see you.”
“Please sit down.”
“Thank you, Sir.”
“General, as you know, I’m going to Florida next week. I would like you to come with me.”
“Yes, Sir.”
“With the Olympics getting started, our military will be on high alert. Let me ask you. If we were to see an incursion of our air space, what do you think our response time would be?”
“Sir, I can assure you we’d have interceptors airborne within minutes.”
“I’m sure that’s true. If something like that happened, we would need a quick, controlled response.”
“Yes, Sir.”
“That essentially means no breaks in the chain of command.”
“Absolutely.”
“There’s likely to be more air traffic during the Olympics. We need to make sure our response to any irregular flight patterns by private aircraft is appropriate. I want to reduce to an absolute minimum any chance of using deadly force, and finding out later it was a mistake.”
“Our pilots are very well trained, Sir.”
“I’m sure that’s the case, but in a situation where everyone’s on high alert people might get edgy, and possibly overreact. I’m sure you remember Korean Air Lines flight 007 in 1983.”
“I do, Sir.”
“269 people killed because a Russian pilot felt pressured to pull the trigger,”
“It was a tragedy.”
“All because a commercial airliner was misidentified.”
“Our command and control is far more disciplined, Sir.”
“I want to make sure it stays that way. That’s the message I want you to bring to our base commanders.
I'll be in Miami for the opening ceremonies at the Olympics. After you talk to our people I want you to be there with me. I don’t intend to stay long. A short speech to welcome everyone, and after that we leave.”
“Yes, Sir, whatever you say.”
“I think it would send a convincing signal that we intend to keep the area safe, that we’re on our toes.”
“Absolutely. I can assure you, Mr. President, you’ll receive complete cooperation.”
“Thank you, General. We’ll be leaving on Thursday the nineteenth. We’re scheduled for ten o'clock. I have a staff meeting around eight, but I should be done on time.”
“I’ll be ready, Sir.”
“Good, then I’ll see you on the nineteenth.”
“Yes, Sir.”
“Thanks for coming in, General Croft.”
As both men rise, General Croft smartly salutes his Commander in Chief, and quickly exits. President Myers, standing alone with his thoughts, again hears his secretary’s voice.
“Sir, Mrs. Myers is here.”
“Please send her in.”
The door opens, and moments later husband, and wife affectionately greet each other with the familiar ease of marriage partners. Kenneth Myers first met his wife Carol when he was running for Governor of Florida. After hearing him speak at a campaign rally, she felt compelled to volunteer in his election effort. They were married one year after he won that campaign. His two successful terms in that office provided valuable experience for a politician with national ambitions, and for Carol, the years spent at the Governor’s mansion groomed her as well for things to come. The poise and self-confidence she shows as First Lady is largely due to the skills she learned during this period. Their loving and mutual support for each other has not only brought them closer, but has furthered the President’s political popularity as well. Together they are an effective team. Though separated by eleven years difference in age, their interests, temperament, and personalities seem to naturally complement each other.