“Now a brief word on our format here today, I’m going to turn it over to Director Slaughter who has an opening statement, followed by Senator Fields, and CIA director Paul Stuart. After their opening remarks we’ll start taking questions. So please, ladies and gentlemen, no questions until after opening remarks. With that I’ll now turn it over to Director Slaughter.”
“Thank you, Jim. I want to thank all of you for coming this morning. First let me say that like all of you, I was horrified by what took place in Miami last night. The brutal and public manner in which this terrible event took place will leave a national scar that will take years to heal. I join with you in praying for the President’s family in what must be for them a deeply painful time.”
As the Director pauses his countenance changes, as if preparing to impart unwelcome news.
“Ladies and gentlemen, what I have to say now won’t be easy. I am well aware of the extraordinary political sensitivity of what I’m about to tell you. My motivation in this is, and has always been, what’s best for the country, and I’m confident in leaving that for others to judge.
“On May 9th of this year the FBI was contacted by a man named Phillip Garrett who claimed to have certain materials that pertain to President Myers when he was a college student. Phillip Garrett was a roommate of Ken Myers for about three months when they were college freshmen. Mr. Garrett said, and I quote, ‘began to notice certain abnormal behavior’ in Ken Myers. This behavior consisted of clairvoyant foreknowledge of future events and enhanced intellectual comprehension beyond the range of normal human limits. After reviewing the material provided to us which consisted of a two hour video recording of Ken Myers, we concluded that it was authentic. After careful examination of the evidence it was my decision, and my decision only, to conduct an informal investigation. On the basis of that inquiry, I obtained the medical records of President Myers, and discovered something very troubling. A detailed brain scan revealed the presence of what looks to be a microprocessor embedded deep in the brain of Ken Myers.”
Suddenly, everything stops, and all in the room are stunned. All eyes freeze on the FBI director.
“Could you please repeat that?” a reporter asks.
“Yes, ladies and gentlemen, that’s what I said. A microchip of some type was found in the brain of Ken Myers. The origination of this object is still unknown. Knowing how politically sensitive this would be, I asked that leaders of both parties come in and review the case. I felt then, and I still do, that I didn’t have the authority to go any further with it. I asked the chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee Senator Merrick and ranking member Senator Fields to see the evidence we have, and they were both completely briefed on our investigation. I was not able to get in touch with Senator Merrick this morning, or else he would be here with us right now, but he can confirm the things I’m saying. I know you have a lot of questions, but if you’ll just let us complete our opening remarks we’ll get to them immediately. I would now ask Senator Fields to say a few words.”
As the director of the FBI relinquishes the podium, Senator Fields steps forward and begins his statement. His stiff, inelegant remarks are thankfully brief.
“Ladies and gentlemen, today is a sad day for America. I was personally shocked and horrified to see what happened last night, and I join millions of Americans who want to see this tragic chapter in our history come to a close. I join you in your prayers for national healing. I am also here today to corroborate everything Director Slaughter has said, and commend him for going public with this difficult information. It truly shows his allegiance is to the country, and no single leader, so Director Slaughter, thank you for doing this. In the interest of brevity, I now ask CIA Director Paul Stuart to speak.”
Nimble, and evasive, Paul Stuart has a very clear idea of what he wants to achieve in this news conference. He must gently but persuasively suggest a connection between Ken Myers and espionage, and he must also sew sufficient doubt in people’s minds to make enough of them at least wonder whether or not the incredible events of the last several days were actually real. Second to none in the smooth duplicity of verbal deception, the CIA director is wily and intelligent. He knows he will not convince many. He also knows he doesn’t have to. With rumors of every type in circulation, adding more confusion to the mix can only work to his advantage. Paul Stuart knows he’ll be sharply criticized for what he’s about to say, but if the intended effect is achieved it will be more than worth it. He moves confidently to the lectern.