The Invitation-kindle (6 page)

“Yeah, that’s pretty anti-Semitic,” says Mr. Slaughter.

“The play is laced with that kind of speech. It almost seems it was written to convince people how hateful Jews are to Christians.”

“Do you think he’s reacting to the anti-Semitism?” Mr. Slaughter asks.

“I think so. Knowing the history of the twentieth century, as I’m sure he did when was reading this, he understood the consequences of scapegoating minorities. That’s why he has a sad expression on his face. That’s my opinion.”

“Hmm, makes sense. Okay, let’s continue,” Mr. Slaughter says.

Little more is said as the men sit through the rest of the recording. As Ken Myers reads through the histories and tragedies his countenance remains sober and serious. The phenomenal reading speed reaches its maximum towards the end. Finally, the last play is finished, and the young Ken Myers slowly closes the book, turning it over to view the sketch of William Shakespeare on the back jacket. Pausing for a moment, he sits back, and an expression of deep sagacity comes over his face, as if he possessed the edifying, all-knowing discernment of absolute wisdom. In the last thirty seconds of the recording the three men see a young man who is calm, lucid, and intense, the image of human understanding personified. Then, in a gesture of serene resignation he quietly says four words, “and this is man,” and the screen goes blank. After fifteen or twenty seconds pass, Director Slaughter, nonplussed for an explanation, looks at Mr. Pennington.

“Well, Sid, you’re the psychologist here. What do ya think?”

“Sir I can’t explain what we just saw. I can only give my opinion on whether or not I think it’s real, and I think it is.”

“What’s your reasoning for that?”

“First, I think it’s safe to assume the recording is not a fake for two reasons. Number one, this recording began at eight p.m. Mr. Myers didn’t begin reading until about 8:12, and continues for almost another three hours. We can see it getting darker when we look through the window in the background. The background movement of cars with their headlights on gives us a fixed reference in real time to compare with the physical movements of Mr. Myers. That would be exceedingly difficult to fake. The second reason is this: we have the original camera, and the original recording. Everything is pristine. There’s no indication it was tampered with.”

“Well let’s assume that it’s genuine. How do we explain his behavior?”

“I can’t explain it, Sir.”

“Have you ever seen or heard of any prior cases of this kind of accelerated reading?”

“Well, we have savants that can solve math equations very rapidly, but this is something altogether different.”

“What do you mean?”

“This is more than accelerated reading. It’s more of what I would call hyper-accelerated comprehension. He’s even blinking his eyes to match the page turns. It’s incredible.”

“Hmm, very unusual behavior,” says Mr. Slaughter.

“I’ve never seen anything like it. I’ve been a psychologist for the FBI for over twenty years.”

“Well Sid you’ve given us a lot to work with, I want to thank you for your presentation.”

Hearing his cue to leave, Mr. Pennington replies, “You’re certainly welcome.”

“Please let me know if you have any new information.”

“I will, Sir.”

As Sid Pennington rises to go, Agent Colby says, “Thanks a lot, Sid.”

“You bet,” says Mr. Pennington as he exits.

After a few silent moments Mr. Slaughter says, “I don’t know. I don’t know what to make of it. Wasn’t Myers hospitalized when he was Governor?”

“That’s right, sir. He was broadsided by another vehicle, and was knocked unconscious. They did a brain scan, found nothing wrong, and sent ̓him home after a few days.”

“What would that brain scan tell us?” Mr. Slaughter asks.

“I don’t know, maybe something, maybe nothing.”

“I sure would like to have our people take a look at it.”

“As you know, Sir, you’d have to have a judge sign off on that.”

“How likely is that? No judge on these grounds, would grant access to the medical records of a sitting President. No, we have to keep this confidential, at least for now. Here’s the problem. This is no ordinary citizen we’re dealing with here. That person we watched on that recording is now the President of the United States. We have to be very careful. We need those medical records, Tim. Do it carefully.”

“Yes, Sir.”

Now hearing his cue to leave, Tim Colby rises to go, saying, “Sir, I’ll let you know something as soon as I can.”

“Thanks, Tim. Meanwhile, I’m going to watch this again. Oh, and, uh, this is priority, so let me know if you need anything.”

“Thank you, Sir,” Mr. Colby says, and smartly exits.

Agent Slaughter pauses for a moment then once again picks up the copy of
The Yale Shakespeare
, and begins perusing its pages.

At 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, D.C., a man in a separate office room at the White House is making phone calls to influential senators to persuade them to vote for the President’s energy bill. A loyal ally and personal friend of the President, Vice President Scott Conner was an unlikely choice for a running mate. His career prior to entering politics was in higher education, serving as President of Ohio State University for nearly ten years. The first thirty years of his adult life was spent in academia, working as a teacher, author, and lecturer. Scott Conner also became an ardent proponent of educational reform. Frustrated with the rate of change, he decided to run for political office when he was fifty-six, and was successful in his first bid to become Governor of Ohio. Even a brief conversation with Scott Conner would convince most that he is the antithesis of the smooth, modern politician. His direct and unflinching style of speaking was a refreshing change to many of those who voted for him. His experience as a teacher confirmed in him the belief that knowledge, learning, and innovation is the only way forward to a better future for all people. Though unaccustomed to dealing with the political exigencies of being a Governor, Mr. Conner moved more adroitly than many expected in changing from academic to politician. His skill as a speaker and negotiator was instrumental in his ability to win a second term as Governor.

It was at the National Governors meeting that Scott Conner first met Ken Myers, who was then Governor of Florida. Quickly becoming friends, they found in each other a like-minded ally in the push for political reform. When Ken Myers announced his candidacy for President of the United States, he called Scott Conner the same day to ask if he would consider being his running mate. Intellectually and politically compatible, the two men forged a close bond as they campaigned across the country.

Having secured their election victory, and eschewing any further political ambitions, Scott Conner has made it clear to all interested parties that he firmly intends to retire after serving as Vice President.

Content to work behind the scenes, he shuns the notoriety, and self-aggrandizement of lesser politicians. We find him working in his White House office attempting to garner support for the President’s energy bill.

“That’s right Senator. Exactly. That’s what the results would be. Battery storage technology is the last obstacle to achieve that. Mm-hmm. That`s right, your state would become a net exporter of energy. If there was ever a case for the government to provide seed money for something good for the country, this is it.…I understand that. I know it’s a lot of money. Energy independence is going to take an investment, better to do it now than later.…That’s right. The longer we put it off the more costly it’s going to be. That’s all we’re asking, Senator Billings, an unbiased consideration of our proposal.… Well, I appreciate that. I really do. Yes I will. And I thank you for your time as well, Senator. Okay, goodbye.”

As the Vice President sits back, he picks up the piece of paper listing the names of twelve senators who need additional coaxing before the upcoming vote on the energy bill. He knows that if he is unable to persuade at least seven of them, the likelihood of its passage is doubtful. As he considers his best strategy, a knock on the door by his chief of staff breaks his chain of thought.

“Yes, come in.”

“Sir, they just faxed me a copy of the new language you asked for in the energy bill. I thought you’d like to see it.”

“Oh good, I’ll look at it later. Thanks, Carl. I just spoke with Senator Billings.”

“Is he tractable?”

“Not entirely, but I think he’s leaning in our direction. I need to call him again next week before I go to Florida.”

“You’ll be leaving on Friday, the 20th,” Carl says.

.

“That’s right. I really don’t want to go, but he insisted. What are you going to do?”

“Can’t say no to the boss.”

“I don’t know what I can add to the occasion. He’s going to be there. He’s the President. How much more prestige can you add to that?” the Vice President asks.

“I don’t know.”

“I understand the Olympics is a special event, but it’ll be over in a few weeks, and largely forgotten. The vote on this energy bill will affect this country for decades to come.”

“I completely agree, Sir.”

“Oh well, we’ll be leaving after the opening ceremonies. So anyway here’s a list of those senators I haven’t talked to yet. Call their staff, and let ̓em know I’d like to talk with their Senators sometime next week, when it’s convenient for them.” says the Vice President as he reaches for his jacket.

“I will, Sir.”

“We need seven votes. Eight or nine would be better.”

“We’ll get it done,” Carl says.

“I hope so. Okay, I have a meeting to go to. I`ll see ya tomorrow, Carl.”

“Yes, Sir, see ya then.”

As the Vice President leaves to attend his meeting, his Chief of Staff looks over the list of names just given to him by his boss. The legislation they are working on has already been passed by a narrow margin in the House of Representatives. The upcoming vote in the Senate is the last hurdle to overcome before the President’s energy bill becomes law. Comprehensive in scope, it charts a new direction in national energy policy. Its emphasis on solar, wind, and tidal sources of power is viewed skeptically, and even as threatening by many tied to the fossil fuel industry.

Lobbyists are working incessantly to influence the outcome of the Senate’s vote. With so much at stake, both Washington, and the nation at large are preoccupied with the heated, sometimes acrimonious debate.

Meanwhile, far from the high stakes maneuvering of Washington’s powerful elites, the third Congressional District of Iowa is by comparison a relative backwater. Still getting to know its thirty-four-year-old Congressman elected only sixteen months ago, life in this rural district is lived very differently from the frenetic pace of the nation’s capital.

Steve Kearns is a well-motivated newcomer to the political arena. His life is a story of overcoming personal challenges. The victim of an I.E.D. when he was in the Army, he is a wheelchair-bound triple amputee. Through determination and sheer force of will, Steve Kearns campaigned indefatigably to win his election. A well-liked Democrat in a conservative district, he makes it a point to be accessible to all of his constituents. This afternoon finds him in his home town where he grew up, and where he and his wife Rebecca maintain their modest home. The topic of their after dinner conversation today is highly atypical. The President has asked Steve to come to Miami for the opening ceremonies of the Olympics. Unsure as to why the invitation was offered, he hesitantly agreed. His wife Rebecca would prefer his company at home. Still adjusting to the unpredictable work schedules of a freshman Congressman, she jealously protects the time they have together. Rebecca knows all too well the practical difficulties involved in her husband’s travel schedule. Seeing the trip to Miami as needless, she voices her opinion to her husband.

“I don’t understand it. It doesn’t make any sense.”

“It sure took me by surprise.”

“You said he called you?” Rebecca asks.

“Yeah, I’m sitting there having lunch with two other Congressmen, and my cell phone rings. I almost didn’t answer it. I said hello, and heard a man say, ‘Congressman Kearns, the President would like to speak with you.’ I thought it was a prank. Then I heard, ‘Steve this is Ken Myers. Do you have a few minutes?’ That’s when I realized who I was talking to.”

“What did you say?”

“I said, ‘Yes, Sir, I do.’ You should’ve seen the expression on Tim Sweeney’s face when I called him ‘Mr. President.’”

“I guess so. What did he say to you?”

“Actually, not much. He thanked me for my support on the energy bill. Then before I could say anything he asked me to come to Miami for the opening ceremonies. I was stunned. I just said, ‘Yes, I’d be glad to be there.’”

“Well, that’s very flattering, but does he realize how difficult it is for you to travel?”

“I think so.”

“I don’t know. It doesn’t sound like it. Oh, well. I’ll be coming with you, so it’ll be okay. Did you make reservations for the flight?”

“It’s already taken care of.”

“For both of us?” Rebecca asks.

“Yes, both of us,”

“Which airline?”

Seeing only a smile on her husband’s face, she asks again, “Which airline?”

“Uh, you might have heard of it. It’s called Air Force One.”

“What?”

“Air Force One.”

“Are you serious?”

“I am.”

“The President said that?” she asks.

“That’s right.”

“That’s incredible. Wait a minute. I’m not in the government. He probably meant that for you only.”

“No, both of us,”

“Are you sure?”

“He said, ‘I hope Rebecca can come with you.’ That’s a direct quote.”

“He said my name?”

“That’s right.”

“How does he know my name?”

“In Washington, people make it their business to know those things. It gives them an edge.”

“Wow, you didn’t tell me this over the phone yesterday.”

“I wanted to tell you in person. Are you excited?”

“Are you kidding? Who wouldn’t be?” How long will we stay in Miami?”