The next week was full of activity. Roger concentrated on learning every aspect of the PAX business. With Warren‟s help, he made great progress as both supervised the start up of the bomb fabrication. First they had to indoctrinate the large crew on the goals of the project and then train them how to stamp out and assemble the bomb casings. The materials used were designed to vaporize and release the colorless, odorless gas without causing any contamination to the environment. The duo spent their evenings at the condo, working out potential problems. Warren, concerned about his next week‟s appearance before the Senate committee labored on his presentation and the related visuals.
The following Tuesday, Warren bid his friend goodbye and took off for Boston‟s Logan International and his brief flight to Washington DC. He felt confident his assistant was ready to solo in running the PAX plant. He was not so sure of the Senate committee. He‟d given his new presentation his best shot and the next day he would put it to the test. Though he had an alternative plan, he was counting on the government‟s cooperation.
After a sleep starved night in his hotel he took a cab to the Senate office building.
The driver helped carry in the video projector and screen for his video. The large hearing room was crowded. On a raised platform the subcommittee was sitting at long table. In judgment? Warren wondered. There was an area for his equipment and a podium where he would stand. Usually Warren welcome the opportunity to tell the PAX
story, but this morning he was nervous. A lot depended on the outcome of this meeting.
He was glad to see at least one friendly face. That of Senator James Hargrave of Massachusettes. He‟d met the Senator on one of his fund raisers. Hargrave was a junior senator and the youngest on the committee. The two exchanged smiles and Warren set up his equipment.
The Senator in charge of the meeting, Ralph Dunbarton of Minnesota waited patiently and on a nod from the young scientist, he banged his gavel. The hubbub that filled the room quieted as he announced:
“This meeting is now in order!” He gave Warren a wry smile. “Or perhaps we could call it an inquisition. Our subject today is Dr. Warren Peace‟s mysterious PAX project.
Word is out and about it‟s the miracle that could bring peace to the world. The government is a bit dubious and we would like to hear the story from the inventor‟s own lips. Dr. Peace...you‟ve on! We‟ll not interrupt your presentation, but I‟m sure we‟ll have questions when it‟s over.”
The video projector was situated so that most of the room could see it. Once again, the video showed the history of violence, followed by a stark overview of the current horrors of war assassinations, gang and domestic violence. The audience sat spellbound and groaned or gasped at the horrendous pictures shown on the screen.
Finally after a quiet transition the picture changed to what the world would be like at peace. The audience seem to sigh in relief.
As the picture faded to black, Warren stepped to the podium.
“There you have it gentlemen. the world before and after PAX! I realize it all seems a bit utopian. However, my experiments have shown it‟s certainly possible and with the release of PAX, it‟s also probable.”
Senator Dunbarton glanced at the rest of the panel and then at the young scientist.
“Very impressive, Dr. Peace Very Impressive. indeed! What does the rest of the committee think?” The others nodded in appreciation. “However, “added the committee chairman, “Though on the surface this PAX certainly looks like a panacea for the world‟s troubles. IF...and that‟s a big IF it really works, will its success brings up several troubling problems.”
Warren cringed inside. He‟d spent years developing PAX. He had great confidence it it‟s effectiveness, but as he‟d feared, he began to doubt if he was going to get the important support of the government. The dozen senators were staring at him, he briefly locked eyes with each as he tried to determine how he or she felt.
“I‟d hoped you‟d all read the final pages of my little dissertation--the affidavits by Warden Silvers and Dr Baxter of the California Medical Institution.”
As Warren continued in his PAX sales pitch, several senators nodded while others, who had only given the PAX written presentation a quick glance, looked puzzled. “In their statements the warden and psychologist are witness to the dramatic conversion of one of the state‟s inmates from psychopath to valuable, productive citizen. His name is Roger Cooper and he‟s now my personal assistant. A brilliant addition to the PAX staff.
And I should point out, PAX doesn‟t interfere with humans‟ drive to protect themselves or their loved ones. In principle the elimination of violent behavior in all the peoples of the world, would eliminate mans need to protect himself against aggression.”
Senator Dunbarton, frowning at his peers continued “Yes, also very impressive.
Still Those few in the committee who read your treatise thoroughly came up with several questions.” First of all, the elimination of war across the world would, it seems to us, eliminate the armed forces and many important industries. In other words put a lot of people out of work. We‟re all for world peace, but have no choice but to take your proposal to congress for a vote, and I‟m sure some of our more hawkish peers will fight against it. I suspect you may also have to do your show and tell presentation for the Pentagon. and possibly the United Nation.”
Warren took a deep breath as he tried once more to convince them.
“I believe along with my many supporters, that basing our economy on wars and human suffering is inhuman. We‟re convinced with a bit of imagination and legislation the armed forces and allied industries could be turned to something like a giant Peace Corps. Many of the peoples of our own country and rest of the the world need help.
Instead of killing and torture, we should set to work aiding humanity.”
“Very commendable, Doctor. and I believe we all agree in principle. But we also need to be practical. And then there‟s the burning question. Without war and assassination to control the population what‟s to save the world from a giant baby boom? The world is becoming too crowded as it is. What about some sort of birth control?”
Still striving to get this powerful committee to support his cause, and knowing this was a crucial first step in garnering world approval he continued. Without going into details, he outlined his formula for population control. Some senators nodded in agreement, others looked dubious.
“If the good doctor will give us a few hours, we need to discuss your project and make some sort of decision. We‟ll get back to you.”
Discouraged, Warren thanked the committee and packed up his gear. With help from some senate aids he moved out of the building. On the steps he was greeted by a large crowd of reporters wielding microphones and TV cameras. Apparently during his presentation the word got out and now the media descended on him. Putting on his best public relations grin, he met them head on.
“Dr. Peace,” one woman began. “I think most of us agree, you have a wonderful goal, to bring peace to the world. But how are you going to convince the government?
What some of us heard inside, didn‟t sound too promising.”
“The senators are just doing their job. They have to decide what‟s best for the country. I can only hope, they make the right choice.”
“What about the proposed meeting with the chiefs at the Pentagon?
“I was aware this wouldn‟t be easy. We‟ll just have to wait and see”.
After a few more questions and an interview with a network TV reporter, he hailed a cab, and along with his equipment returned to his hotel to wait.
****
Still mulling over his meeting with the Senate committee, he decided to spend a quiet afternoon and evening studying the questions put to him that morning. Early in the afternoon, the phone rang. He answered and was told there were a few reporters in the lobby. Since no escape was possible, he decided to go down an face the press.In the hotel lobby, he was met by a small group of men and women wielding small audio recorders and still cameras or portable television gear. Once again he took a deep breath, smiled tolerantly and weathered a half dozen interviews. Finally all left except one reporter who introduced himself as Carl Rabbin, of The Inquisitor Magazine.
The name rang a bell. Inquisitor Magazine was a popular rag, known for exposing fraud and scandal. Feeling he had nothing to hide, Warren agreed to tell all. The two sat in the lobby while the magazine photographer snapped a few stills to illustrate the article.
Rabbin had obviously done his homework, and asked Warren a series of well planned and pointed questions about PAX and his plans for it. Though on his guard, Warren answered honestly and positively. The reporter appeared charming and supportive, yet Warren sensed there was something lurking in Rabbin‟s eyes, he couldn‟t quite trust.
Hoping the old adage All publicity is good publicity was true , he could only hope the resulting article would give PAX a boost.
He returned to his room just in time to take a call from Senator James Hargrave, his most staunch supporter on the subcommittee. The senator told him the group had met, debated the pros and cons of Warren‟s proposal and he‟d like to meet with the scientist in the morning. Not sure of the outcome Warren agreed to nine o‟clock meeting.
He ordered dinner and put in calls to Roger and his parents. They‟d seen one of his TV interviews and were enthusiastic about how well he came across and as he responded to the reporter. In turn he gave them the details of his day, the Inquisitor interview and his hopes for the meeting with the senator the next morning. In turn, Roger gave a positive report on the work at the plant and wished him luck.
After a restless night he rose early, had breakfast and took a cab to the senate office building. There, precisely at nine he was ushered into Senator Hargrave‟s office.
The two men shook hands and the senator smiled as he offered his guest a seat.
“Well, Warren, there‟s some good news and some bad news. Uh...not bad exactly, but it may slow down the PAX process. The good news is: Most of the committee were enlightened and elated by the contents of your presentation. There was some debate, but all agreed PAX is a worthy idea. We, or I should say I have been elected to present a bill to congress supporting the spread of PAX across the world.” He paused for a moment to allow his guest to digest the news. Then smiling oddly he added, “The rub is. a few were a bit skeptical. Will PAX deliver what you‟ve promised? They want some sort of proof beyond your one successful experiment.”
Warren groaned inwardly, but wasn‟t surprised. What next, he wondered?
“They propose to send independent scientists to the PAX plant to check it out, and determine if it‟s safe and effective. As you know, I am one hundred percent behind you, but my hands are tied by bureaucracy--have to go along with the doubters. Still, when the new tests are successful, and I‟m sure they will be, we can pretty much count on a positive vote by both houses and the president. It‟s a damned nuisance, but I guess we‟ll just have to be patient.”
Warren and the senator talked for a while about the PAX and joked about the vicissitudes of government, before Warren return to his hotel. He had just about decided there was nothing he could do but return home and await the government inspectors when he received another call.
This time it was the office of the President of the United States. The chief executive wanted to see him and hear more about his extraordinary proposal. Perhaps he could meet with the President for an hour at four thirty. Apparently the president had seen the news coverage of Warren‟s visit with the Senate Subcommittee, and wanted to be given a personal briefing. Amazed at the quick response, Warren was elated and looking forward to meeting. He‟d always felt President Mark Lambent could be an ally in his PAX quest, if only he could have an audience with him.