I was awakened with a call from GL himself.
“Good morning Dave. Welcome to DC”
“Good morning GL”
It was stll dark out but here was GL calling me before dawn.
“Welcome to the fight! We are going to win this and wth your help I feel confident we will have no issues with forming a new GL administration.”
“Thank you sir for the privilege of serving you”
“You are welcome Dave--will see you at breakfast in a few.”
So this was serious. After showering and dressing in the smart grey business suit, white shirt and red stripped tie, with comfortable long black socks that worked perfectly with the black brogue shoes provided. As if on cue, Steve knocked on the door just at the moment I had finished tying my laces.
“Good morning Dave--sleep OK? I hear that GL called you
“Yes what a surprise.”
“How are you feeling?
“Exhausted but excited Is the best way I can describe it”
“We are just going down the corridor--GL will be there for the first part of the meeting and then people you can call them operatives like me will bring you up to speed as to what our plan is--you will be sworn to secrecy and be asked to sign a few forms. Our basic point is don’t ever talk to the press or media about anything we say in the room. You will be asked to wear some tracking device that will tell if you are speaking out of order to anyone unapproved persons. Understood?”
“Unapproved?”
“For the next month at least no one outside the party and the people we approve. So if there are some people you meet and there is any doubt who they are a quick text to me will get a response back in minutes and often in seconds. Understood?”
“Understood”
Upon entering, the room was alive with subdued conversations, the clinking of cutlery, and the aroma of freshly brewed coffee. A long table dominated the center, bathed in the warm glow of full spectrum light. The faces around the table were a mix of gravitas and political prowess.
I was guided to a chair and introduced to people at the table to my immediate left was the former CIA director, Craig Turner who, sat with an air of authority. His piercing gaze and measured demeanor hinted at a lifetime spent navigating the shadows of international intrigue. On the opposite side of the table, a sharp-looking campaign manager, Sarah Bennett, was busy organizing a stack of documents. She shot a quick, reassuring smile at me as I took my seat. On the other side of me there was a younger bearded black guy with an open laptop and a phone in his ear engaged in last-minute strategizing. Most of the rest of the table was filled with men and women dressed in their best business attire. Circling the group was a group of young people some with laptops open and hands poised it looked to take notes as if they were stenographers and translators at an international conference.
As the clock approached 7:00 am, the door swung open, and the presidential candidate, GL walked in. Dressed in a tailored suit and exuding confidence, GL greeted everyone with a firm handshake and a genuine smile. The gravity of the moment intensified as he took his place at the head of the table.
"Thank you all for being here," GL began, his voice carrying the weight of the responsibility ahead. "Today marks the beginning of a journey that will shape the future of our nation. We have a diverse group of talents at this table, and together, we'll face the challenges that lie ahead."
Breakfast was served, a spread of pastries, fruits, and steaming coffee that added a layer of comfort to the atmosphere. As they ate, discussions shifted from small talk to the pressing matters at hand. The former CIA director shared insights on national security, the campaign manager outlined key policy priorities, and the communications team brainstormed how to effectively convey the administration's message to the public.
I felt a sense of awe sitting alongside individuals who were now responsible for shaping America’s future government. Together,we were laying the foundation for a new chapter in the country's history.
GL after making his introductory remarks left the room. Steve took over the meeting.
“I want you all to get to know each other--but we are not going to waste any time with introductions. There is simply too much work to do. You are all here for a reason. Either you are top of your field whether that be cyber security, social media, surveillance, special operations and other matters I don’t want to go into right now until you have all signed the agreements that are now on your desk. I will fie you a moment to complete the signature page and my assistant will photo you as you sign it. Pens will be provided”
“The CIA guy raised his hand--”I have no issue about signing but why the photos?”
“Good question GL wants everyone to know he will be posting these photos on his wall in the White House--if he has a question about your loyalty he will be calling you directly. Loyalty is key to GL if you ever betray that trust in any way he will be sending that photo that memorializes your loyalty oath to a number of people who know what to do with it. Got it now Craig?”
“Got it could not be clearer” he said smartly as if he were no longer once a senior government official with the highest security clearance but in a high school math class.
One tall man with thinning hair --sporting a bright bow tie came around to collect the signatures while a lady in a red trouser suit and a shade brighter lipstick to match her clothing took photos. They looked for a moment like a pair of skaters performing an elaborate dance as they moved in and around the chairs of these future leaders. I signed my detailed form without reading it with a flourish. I was too exhausted to read anything and too awed by the situation to want to make any kind of fuss. I knew it was like joining a secret society--GL was like that--you signed on to the entire package.
After a lot of shuffling around the room and coffee pouring and croissant chewing Steve began by gently banging his papers on the table as if to call to order. He wore his steely half frame spectacles now--and had his jacket off and his shirt sleeves rolled up.
“This is the business end of the meeting--one of the reasons I asked you to sign these forms now is what I am about to tell you may shock you and make you a bit queasy so if anyone does not want to be shocked who feels they cannot support GL through this crisis--you had better leave now. I will personally rip up the forms you just signed which by the way in simple terms pledges you to loyalty to GL no matter what in case you did not read it.”
Steve looked around the room professor like through his half rim spectacles. No one moved.
“Well good. We are entering some difficult waters. In a matter of hours Biden will get on TV and resign. We know this because we are going to show doctored photos and videos of him falling down the stairs of the White House and being treated by the Secret Service. These videos are going to be undetectable as fakes. Biden will deny them but the quality of the videos will convince most people that they are authentic. Biden is in hiding because parts of the military have seen these fake videos and believe he is unfit for office. In other words the one obstacle to taking control of the government --Joe Biden is now in essence neutered. Yes he has a few cards to play. He could demand to go on national TV and denounce the fakes but there is little chance that the majority of Americans having seen the video will believe him. He can do a bike ride in Delaware for all he likes or challenge GL to a fist fight but the damage has been done. We believe the military will tell him that in order to stop the rioting that he must step down. The financial markets will reinforce that message when they open on Monday. You may say this is a set of dirty tricks we are pulling and you would be right--but I want to point out a few things. First this is a deeply troubled and divided nation. If Biden were to be declared the winner (and the recount is still going on) he would be faced with mounting civil unrest. Our people as you saw in the Columbus astrodome want GL as their leader. The border crisis is one key reason. They are tired of people coming across the border willy nilly and taking jobs from Americans, lowering wages, feeding of our welfare system and committing crime. They are tired of all the wokeness that allows for Transgender sympathizers to run our schools dictate what books our children can read and bathroom policies. They are fed up with US appearing weak on the world stage and endless wars that we have to support in Ukraine and the Middle East. Crime is out of control in our cities as are drugs and gangs. We let Biden in for one more term--I am not sure we are going to be left with much of a country. So we are all patriots in this room. That’s why you are here because you care about the way this country runs and want a hand in steering it back on the right course. Am I correct?
There were nods of agreement around the room.
I was stunned.So this was the game plan movijng forward. GL had the strategy mapped out. A political genius of a kind that makes for legend. No wonder he was able to dodge 91 indictments and millions of dollars in fines--pure political genius.
“So each one of you will be briefed by my team on your future roles --some of you should you accept will be offered cabinet positions and will be asked to stay in DC for the duration. We have housing and support services such as transportation and security that will be available to you at no cost until GL is formally declared the winner of the 2024 race.
Steve then gave the signal to the team situated around the room to go into action as they arranged their appointment times with the soon to be cabinet officials.
My head was still reeling from the full blown effort to take over the US government by a mixture of fakery and force. I had my qualms with the strategy. If we were ever found out there would be hell to play. I mean impersonating a president or at least faking their likeness was a punishable offense. If it wasn’t treason it was conspiracy to commit treason and a few other crimes along the way including forgery and impersonating a public official. My mind was reeling because I could be held complicit. Not that any charges were likely given what happened or did not happen after January 6 and even if they were they would be brushed aside by a Supreme court that would argue that he had presidential immunity.
With the help of a male escort who I was told now had to be positioned with me along with 12 other key VIPS at all times I slipped back down the corridor to take a nap.
When I got back to the room I tried turning on the TV but with no success. The screen was blank and there was no cell or radio reception either. I had been cut off electronically probably in an effort to guard GL’s big secret. Nightmarish dreams came and went. I was tied onto a raft in one and forced to navigate some rapids with a branch of a tree as rocks and waves kept roaring towards me. In another I was stripped to a chair with a gun in my mouth as someone rocked the chair from behind. I was awakened by my handler in a cold sweat and without any time to shower again I quickly threw water at my face and body in an effort to revive me. The young man in a red blazer and grey pants with oversize glasses and an innocent expression and escorted into another richly appointed office that looked like it belonged to a much older grander building than this corporate space in the middle of DC. In the middle of the room sat a person I had recognized from the last Republican administration--no less than National Security advisor James Thornton. His presence in the room commanded attention, dressed in a finely tailored navy-blue suit that accentuated his broad shoulders and crisp white shirt, Thornton exuded an air of both authority and refinement. His tie, a deep shade of burgundy, was meticulously knotted. The intensity of his blue eyes bore witness to a lifetime of navigating the complexities of politics. As he leaned back in his antique chair, the room's ambient light played upon his distinguished features, casting shadows that underscored the contours of a man accustomed to making tough decisions.
Thornton's hands, adorned with a pair of cuff links that glinted under the soft illumination, rested on the polished surface of the imposing desk. The gesture exuded both power and restraint, revealing a leader who approached challenges with a calculated demeanor.
His voice, deep and resonant with a bit of a southern lilt, echoed through the room as he articulated the vision for the nation's immigration policies. Each word, carefully chosen, carried the weight of his convictions, leaving an indelible imprint on the atmosphere. .
"Mr. Ross let me dispense with the small talk--we are on a very tight schedule today. We are facing an emergency situation as you well know. We are grateful you could make the trip down from Columbus where we understand you were injured unfortuantely but trust you are fully recovered now?”
He paused for my reaction
“Yes sir”
Very good-lets get right to it. You are our choice for INS director and its most important you carry out the key policies without hesitation or wavering. This is a high profile positon. The press will be on your case 24x7 there will be demonstrations and lots of personal threats. We can cover all those. Not to worry. Are you up for that?
“I came here to serve” I said without much conviction but greedy to know more details
Well here goes , we're contemplating the establishment of detention camps," Thornton declared, his gaze unwavering. "No more asylum seekers. We need a firm grip on who enters our borders. And if the need arises, we'll expand these camps to include not just illegal immigrants but also dissidents who threaten the fabric of our society."
I felt a chill run down his spine at the mention of detention camps and the potential inclusion of dissidents. The air in the room seemed to thicken.
"Detention camps?" Johnathan stammered, his voice betraying both shock and disbelief. "Surely, Mr. Thornton, there must be alternative measures to address security concerns without resorting to such extreme actions. The humanitarian implications alone—"
Thornton interrupted, his tone firm and unyielding. "Mr. Harper, these are extraordinary times, and we need extraordinary measures. The safety of our nation comes first. Dissidents, regardless of their intentions, pose a threat. We must identify, detain, and neutralize any potential risks. This is about safeguarding the future of our country."
As Thornton spoke, the weight of the decisions to be made began to sink in--I was responsible for causing misery and suffering to thousands maybe hundreds of thousands of men and women who I have never seen. Entire families would be broken up if not destroyed. GL had tried putting children in cages in his last administration a policy I did not approve of.
"I understand the need for security, Mr. Thornton, but we must tread carefully. Detention camps and targeting dissidents—it's a slippery slope," Johnathan argued, his expression a mix of concern and disbelief. "This approach risks undermining the very values we stand for."
Thornton leaned forward, his eyes locking onto Johnathan's with an intensity that bordered on impatience. "Mr. Ross, the world is changing, and we must adapt to protect our interests. We can't afford to be complacent. This is the path we must take, and I expect your unwavering commitment to seeing it through."
I nodded.
“I can see you need more time Mr Ross to think this through. I am not sure you are ready am I right for this cabinet level position?”
“Will I have to enforce family separation ? Place children in detention camps. it's a line I'm not sure I can cross I am going toI need more time to consider the implications of these policies on a human level. Surely, there must be alternative solutions that prioritize our security without compromising our humanity."
Thornton's stern expression softened for a moment, but the resolute glint in his eyes remained. "Mr. Ross, I understand the gravity of the decisions we're making. However, we need individuals who can fully commit to the course we're charting. Loyalty is paramount. If you find these measures too difficult to endorse, I won't force your hand. We require 100 percent dedication to our cause."
I took a deep breath, grappling with the weight of the ultimatum before me
Thornton continued, "If you're not entirely comfortable with our direction, perhaps this position isn't the right fit for you. We appreciate your honesty, and it's crucial for the success of our administration that every member is fully aligned."
He starred at me for a few more moments and then his demeanor shifted, opening himself up to a different line of attack. Leaning back his chair, a thoughtful expression crossed his face.
"However, Mr. Ross, I recognize your talents. Let me put the offer to you in another way. If you prove yourself capable in the role, I could see recommending you for various positions in the future.."Do you enjoy travel, Mr. Ross? We've envisioned you as a potential Ambassador to France, Spain or one other of those sunshine friendly countries we like doing business with.. Alternatively, there's an opportunity for you to work as an Undersecretary at the State Department, with the portfolio of your choosing. But what I want to emphasize is that the first six months are crucial, prove yourself as we all believe that you're the right man for this job."
The enticing prospect of different roles and responsibilities hit the rights spot. I could be a diplomat--host diplomatic balls. Find a partner who would enjoy embassy life. Get over the constant effort of living by my wits as a radio host. It was a tricky but potentially life altering decision
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