Pieces of Kleenex were stuffed between his collar and neck as a woman stood over him and applied makeup to his face. Stu Garret loomed over the other shoulder and read off a list of last-minute reminders. Ted Hopkinson was in the midst of a final check to see that everything was in place. In five minutes they would be live in front of the nation.
Garret waved away the woman who was doing the makeup. “That’s enough.
He looks fine! … Now, Jim. remember, start out looking somber.
We want to show them that you’re in pain. Stay kind of slouched over during the first part, like you did during the last rehearsal. When we get to the last part, about democracy and the founders of this country, I want you to become more stiff and rigid. Sit up straight, but don’t pound your fist on the desk like you did during the last rehearsal. It comes off a little too strong. Just stick with your old standby. Pull that arm in tight and shake your fist at the camera. Not too fast.
Shake it slow and deliberately, like you’re emphasizing every word.”
Garret mimicked the move. Hopkinson approached and pulled the Kleenex out from under the President’s collar. “Sir, you know the routine.
Please don’t touch your face, your shirt, or your tie. The makeup will smear and we’re going to be live in minutes.” Scarlatti and O’Rourke were glancing at their menus, and discussing the assassinations, when the subdued roar of the Friday-night crowd dropped to a hushed silence.
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When they looked up, the President’s face was on every TV in the bar.
Several people made sarcastic remarks and were shouted down by the other patrons.
The President started to speak. “Good evening. I will be very brief and to the point tonight. It is with deep sorrow that I come to you, to discuss a great loss to our nation. the tragic deaths of Congressman Koslowski, Senator Fitzgerald, and Senator Downs ….
These three great statesmen have given over eighty years of service to the people of
America. During that time, they fought with passion for the things they believed in:
freedom, democracy, and the welfare of every man, woman, and child in America. Their careers were long and illustrious. Between them, they authored hundreds of bills that have helped make America a better place to live and work. Their leadership, guidance, and wisdom will be greatly missed in the hallowed halls of Congress, and I will greatly miss their friendship.” The President looked down for a moment and paused. “I would ask all of you, my fellow Americans, to keep Congressman Koslowski, Senator
Fitzgerald, Senator Downs, and their families in your prayers. They were not perfect;
none of us are. Yet they overcame their imperfections and gave everything they had to their country and their fellow countrymen.
For this, we will always be indebted to them.” The President paused again, his face drawn, staring into the camera. “We, in the nation’s capital, are in shock over the senseless, violent murders that were committed this morning. We are a very close group.
Many of us have worked beside each other for decades.
I, myself, have known Congressman Koslowski, Senator Fitzgerald, and Senator
Downs for over thirty years. I have met their wives and children. I have watched their children grow up, get married, and have children of their own. It is extremely painful for us to see three men, who have given so much, struck down in one senseless flurry of violence.” Again, the President looked down and paused for a moment.
When he looked back up, he picked up a piece of paper and held it up to the camera.
“Many of you are aware of this letter that was received by the media today. The FBI has informed me there is a very good chance this letter is from the group that committed the murders of Congressman Koslowski, Senator Fitzgerald, and Senator Downs. The FBI
also believes there is a very good chance this letter was sent as a piece of disinformation, sent to lead the investigation in the wrong direction.
Due to the investigation taking place, I cannot expand on this any further. All I can say for now is that FBI director Roach has assured me that the terrorists who killed these defenseless men will be caught and brought to justice.” The President waved the letter in the air and sat more upright. “The people who committed this crime represent the antithesis of democracy. They represent tyranny. What happened this morning was not just the murder of three important politicians. It was an attack on the United States of
America. It was an assault on the ideals of democracy. Our country was founded by men and women who fled the tyranny of monarchies and dictatorships from all over the world.
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They made America a place where everyone could have a say in how the country was run: a government for the people, by the people, and of the people. Over the years, we have fought in countless wars defending freedom and democracy. Millions of American men and women have died so that we could continue to live free, to have a say in how our government works, so that democracy could flourish!” The President became more animated. “The cruel and inhumane murders that were perpetrated this morning represent what those millions of Americans died fighting against. They were acts of tyranny, the harsh, violent, and forceful rule of the few over the many. Democracy and diversity have made America great. We are great because everyone has had a say, not because a militant few have shoved their beliefs and ideals down the throats of the rest of the country. Even if the demands of this letter were genuine, which we do not think they are, I could not accept them. If you, the American people, want to make changes in the way your government is run, those changes must take place in a peaceful and democratic way.
They must take place within our current legislative and legal system. You have chosen me to be your President, and I have taken an oath to uphold the laws of this land and to protect the national security of America.
“The people who committed these crimes are terrorists and cowards. I will continue the policy of my predecessors. I will not deal with terrorists. The FBI, along with the cooperation of our other law enforcement and intelligence agencies, will hunt these animals down and put them behind bars. Many Americans have died fighting
