be the interim mayor of the International Holy City of Jerusalem while a structure for new citywide elections is being put into place.” Nicole grasped Dr. Melikian’s hand while his picture was shown to the nation.
“There are many critics of the United States, in Europe and elsewhere, who say that America has it easy and that Americans are naive. Let me put the record straight. They’re wrong. Over the course of American history thousands of our citizens have shed their blood in the name of freedom and peace on foreign soil, defending the freedoms of others. Americans aren’t naive. We know that peace is a better option than war. And it’s not an option for any country to bury its head in the sand and hope for peace while tyrants and terrorists kill innocent people out of hatred and greed. No. We will do whatever it takes to bring about lasting peace to the world.”
The television screen switched to a live picture of the American flag waving over ground zero in New York City, then returned to the Oval Office. “With the decisions I have just announced the United States is not running away from a fight with the terrorists and the bullies who want war for their own political and financial gain. On the contrary we are stepping up the fight with weapons more effective than bombs or bullets. The economic power of self-reliance and accountability.”
“Peace in the Middle East cannot be imposed from without. We’ve seen that policy fail for the past 50 years. Peaceful coexistence must be a result of mutual commitments from within. That is why we have made these decisions to drastically reduce the amount of foreign aid. By stopping the handouts we are urging the nations of the Middle East to take control of their own destiny, an intertwined destiny of mutual interdependence. I am asking all nations in the Middle East to once and for all make peace their highest priority.”
President Pierce picked up the tin cup that had been with him through POW camp, on the campaign trail and into the Oval Office. “Now if you’ll excuse me I have work to do for the American people and the world.” Slowly he tapped his cup on his desk, making a metallic sound, “Good Night, God Bless America, and may all the citizens of the globe live in peace and prosperity for many years to come.”
As the picture of the President slowly faded away, replaced by a waving American flag, the sound of the little tin cup could still be heard.
CNN Headline News
“What you and I have just witnessed, ladies and gentlemen, is one of the most extraordinary speeches from any world leader in recent memory,” said the senior CNN newscaster. “If what he has told us really comes about then President Roswell Clayton Pierce, in a selfless act of personal and political courage, has not only made the decisions everyone else has been avoiding but has also gotten the leaders of the Middle East, especially Israel, to agree to them. What went on behind the scenes to bring about this unprecedented level of international cooperation we may never know. But on this my colleagues and I all agree. It must have been an extraordinary and heroic act of diplomacy.”
The veteran newscaster cocked his head, intently listening to his earpiece. After a few moments of silence, a broad smile crossed his face. He looked directly into the camera. “I have just received word that in various cities and towns across the US as well as in Europe and the Middle East people everywhere are spilling out of their homes and banging on pots and pans in support of the President’s new policy. I probably don’t have to tell you, you can hear it for yourself. Just open your windows.”
Scenes from cities across the United States began flashing onto the screen as people collected in parks, town squares, restaurants, baseball stadiums, anywhere they could gather and celebrate a new day with the sound of metal banging on metal. As the crowds swelled the noise grew; a veritable symphony of homemade cymbals.
The newscaster came back on again. “I wonder if anyone, anywhere, is listening to this broadcast anymore?” he said with a wry smile. “It appears the whole world is out in the streets banging pots and pans in support of an unprecedented bid for lasting peace.”
Chapter Sixteen
The Oval Office
“What’s your name, young man?” said the President of the United States to the young black man standing before him, wearing a suit and tie, his shoes polished to a high shine.
“William Jefferson Clinton, sir, but the guys just call me Jeff.”
“Well,” said President Pierce, laughing. “Would you mind if I called you Jeff as well? One Bill Clinton around here is enough for me.”
“No, sir.”
“Now Jeff, I want you to know that I appreciate very much what you did to help Dr. Richards here the other night, even though it got you in a lot of trouble with the Secret Service, the Metro Police, and more importantly, your mother.”
“Yeah, she was mad as a-”
“Hush, boy,” the heavyset woman whispered, knuckling him in the backside. Then she flashed her host a smile. “I was just acting like any concerned mother, Mr. President.”
“Mrs. Clinton, I want you to know that your son is a true patriot and that because of his courage and commitment the world is a much safer place. You should be proud of your son.”
“Oh, he’s a great boy, Mr. President and he works hard as a waiter at the Key Bridge Marriott Hotel. I only wish he could get into a trade school or something where he’d have a chance to earn a decent living and make something of himself.”
“What trade are you interested in, Jeff?”
“Believe it or not I’ve always wanted to work on the railroad, maybe as a conductor or even drive the trains someday.”
“I’ll see what we can do.” President Pierce thanked the young man and his mother. After the photographer took several pictures of young William Jefferson Clinton and the President and before the marine guard escorted them out of the Oval Office and on to their private tour of the White House Jeff looked at Matt. “Sure wish my girlfriend could have seen this.”
“The one you know so well?” Matt said, straight faced. He was rewarded with a street smile from Jeff and a frown from Mrs. Clinton.
President Pierce sat down behind his desk. He picked up his battered tin cup then looked at Matt, Nicole and Elijah.
“I know this would make the story of a lifetime, Ms. Delacluse. But I’m going to ask you to sign an affidavit swearing that you’ll never reveal the events of the past several days. By the way I’ve just been in communication with your former boss at the International Herald Tribune. He says you’re a royal pain in the ass. That’s a direct quote by the way. But he’ll hire you back as soon as you’re ready and able.”
“I appreciate your support and assistance, Mr. President,” Nicole said, reaching out and taking Matt’s hand, “but I think I’ve got a better offer.”
“Okay, I get the picture. But what about you Dr. Richards? As you know I need a new personal physician, at least for the next two years that I’m in office. Interested?”
“Under normal circumstances, Mr. President, it would be an honor. But I must respectfully decline. First I’ve got a little trip to take to Nassau and then I’d like to get rid of this face. It’s not so bad, but sharing features with an international assassin is definitely a liability. Dr. Weissman has agreed to perform the operation. In a few months’ time I hope to look like someone vaguely resembling the old Matt Richards. But as a result of what I’ve learned these past few weeks I will never be the same. Someone once said looks can be deceiving and in this case they will be absolutely right.”
President Pierce watched him. “I know about your little trip to the Bahamas. I’ll have the FBI escort you personally there and back, just in case. After you get your old identity back where will you be headed?”
“We’re both going to join Esperanca,” Matt said. “The medical group that runs a surgical boat on the Amazon River. I spoke with my father at length the other night and he’s going to join us as well. My roommate in Beirut, Samir Hussein, used to say, ‘The purpose of man is to be of service to mankind.’ There’s plenty of need for a good
