Local time – 2:00pm, Sunday 17th June, 2011.
London, England.
Gerome Laurent sat at his kitchen table, barely able to focus on the TV set sitting on his kitchen bench. It was a Sunday afternoon tradition for him to watch America’s NBC’s Meet the Press. He would normally be keener than usual to watch it that day, since President Joe Santos was the guest on the show. But his mind was not on the rumours of the President’s announcement, or the corresponding article he would write. He thought of his friend Bernie, lying in the hospital morgue. And Alex, his keen young journalist who was now somewhere in Pakistan, chasing god knows what. When he saw her on the video, he could hardly believe his eyes. She had been elusive since hearing the news of Bernie’s death, but how she had got caught up in something so serious, Gerome had no idea. Nor did he have any idea whether she believed what was on the video. Or whether he should believe any of it. He worried now that her visit to Pakistan had something to do with the conspiracy she seemed to think she had discovered. He had heard on the radio that morning that there was a small crowd forming at the Washington Monument, protesting against the world government that was threatened in the video. These protesters obviously believed Alex’s message. There were always a handful of gullible conspiracy freaks ready to believe everything they heard.
It unnerved Gerome that Alex was no longer contactable by phone. She had responded to one of his emails, but he had sent a few since then, and received no reply. So, with nothing to do but sit and wait for news from her, he stared at the TV, hoping his phone might ring.
The reassuringly familiar theme music finished and the presenter, David Gregory, looked seriously into the camera:
“This Sunday, we have a very special guest. President Joe Santos has had a difficult three months. With only 18 months until the next presidential election, his supporters say his campaign is only just starting. However, with his health reform bill still waiting to pass the senate, his climate change initiatives again blocked by the Republicans and the economic indicators telling us we remain in trouble, there is not much to celebrate in camp Santos. But today, the President has promised an announcement that he believes is the first step in a major crack down on gun control, the likes of which this country has never seen. We wait with anticipation to hear these plans.
President Santos, welcome back to Meet the Press.”
Gerome enjoyed watching President Santos speak. The assured tone and the broad smile of a man confident in his leadership abilities was always a pleasure to see. But he couldn’t help but detect a look of strain on the President’s face today. Perhaps it was just the strain Gerome felt, projected onto everything he saw.
The President acknowledged the welcome and then, unlike usual, he didn’t wait for Gregory’s first question. Instead he turned to look straight at the camera and said:
“Before we begin this interview, I would like to offer our country’s deepest condolences to the Pakistani government and people and in particular to the friends, loved ones and supporters of the two Ministers who have lost their lives in such a violent and tragic attack. The United States condemns the cowardly acts of those who perpetrate crimes against peace and democracy in Pakistan, and strike at the very democratic system that these men work so hard to uphold. “
Gregory moved on to his first question:
“Before we move to the announcement you are making to the nation this morning, can I first ask what the government’s response to the cyber attack out of China has been? This virus was sent to millions of American computers and we believe it has also spread throughout Europe. Do you have any news on how this attack could be carried out and what exactly the virus is designed to do?
Yes, the the State Department is aware of hundreds, if not thousands, of similar, but unsuccessful, attempts to breach the security of our nation’s internet infrastructure. We are obviously today working with the Chinese government to find some answers and ensure that those responsible face consequences for these attacks. I would like to reiterate that anyone who has received the virus-infected email should delete it immediately, and not attempt to open the message or download the contents. At this stage, it does appear to be a symbolic attack, where the perpetrators’ aim is to cause inconvenience, rather than damage. And I must also reiterate that the attack has not affected any government agencies or secure sites.”
Although, as often was the case, Gregory’s question was not completely answered, he seemed keen to move on to the announcement at hand:
“Thank you for your reassurances. Now, to the topic of gun control. During the 2008 election, you were often accused by your Republican opponents of having an anti-gun stance. The NRA has labelled you a serious threat to Second Amendment liberties. But, in the two years since you were elected President, some of your most loyal supporters have been disappointed that you have not, contrary to your election promises, improved America’s record on gun violence prevention. I believe you are with us today to make an announcement on gun control which will be welcome to some of the aforementioned groups, but perhaps not so welcome to others.
Yes, well, unfortunately, my election agenda has been much slowed by the work we have has to do rebuilding the economic credentials of our country, which have been greatly strained by a global financial crisis, the like of which we haven’t seen since the Great Depression. Although not out of the woods yet, we have stabilised the economy to a place where unemployment is dropping, and the use of stimulus has successfully bolstered confidence in the markets. The plans I am here to announce today are directly related to a new stimulus package that I am proposing. As you are aware, I have always aimed to give states power to enact gun laws, and have encouraged some common-sense enforcement on gun licensing. I am not here today to tell you that owning a gun is wrong. Or having a gun makes you prone to violence. But the fact is, the more guns we own, the more preventable gun deaths we have to carry on our shoulders. I don’t believe gun owners should be punished for owning guns, but I also believe that if the states were given a good reason to discourage gun ownership, our children and families would be protected from thousands of unnecessary gun deaths that occur in our communities each year. For this reason, I have put together a policy of gun buy back for all semi-automatic rifles, shotguns and pump-action shotguns.”
Gerome was no longer paying only half hearted attention to the announcement. The mention of a gun buy back made him sit straight up and reach for his phone. His Washington correspondent better be watching this. Before he dialled, he waited to see what a very shocked looking Gregory was going to ask next.
“This is a very bold and unexpected announcement. What sort of support have you got for this proposal in your administration? And the other important question obviously, how do you propose to pay for this gun buy back programme?”
The President lent back slightly in his chair and puffed his chest out, daring the watching public to complain.
“The buy back will be funded by a super-tax on banks, which I have been planning in response to our nation’s outcry at the inflated executive salaries in our banking industry. Our financial institutions were culpable in the destruction of the American economy. We, as a government, supported these corporations, deemed too big to fail. And with this support, they have continued to flaunt this government assistance in the face of ordinary tax payers, by again handing out bonuses to executives, which fuel greed and corruption. Any financial institution that provides bonuses of more than $500 a year will have an increased tax of 3% on all profits. The proceeds from this tax will directly fund the buy back of the most dangerous weapons that cause massive destruction to our citizens. This empowers Americans to say no to guns, no to exorbitant executive bonuses and will help families to make ends meet as the stimulus funds flow throughout the community.”
The President’s smile grew wider when he looked at his interviewer’s face and saw the look of complete and utter admiration. Gerome smiled too. Santos was brave. But was his bravery also foolhardy? An announcement like this was sure to mobilise the biggest Second Amendment movement America had ever seen. And the tax on banks would no doubt undermine his popularity in some of his most narrowly won states. Gerome watched as Gregory lent over the triangular desk to shake the President’s hand. In the background, a photo of the White House stood as backdrop to the historic moment. As Santos let go of Gregory’s hand his eyes flicked to something behind the camera. His expression was confused, and the interviewer looked over too. The sound of a woman’s short yelp was caught by the studio speakers, and before the cameras had time to move, a shot rang out in the studio. Gerome’s eyes were glued to the President. On his crisp white shirt under his navy suit there was suddenly a scarlet patch. A patch that grew in the seconds before the screen went black.