After The Pandemic: Outbreak (1210 hits)
Category: NoneRating: 1.84 on 29 reviews (Rate this item) (V)
Submitted by spedmonkey <spedmonkey.at.gmail.com> (View user info) at 2005-03-07 22:59:36 EST
Kevin Corrington sighed as an aide ran a comb through his hair. He'd wanted this his entire life, and now that he was here, well, he decided it wasn't all it was cracked up to be. Why did a panic on this scale have to come along after so little time? He sighed again and shifted in the chair, as the lady who did makeup moved in to powder his face.
Corrington had been President of the United States for all of three months, ever since those left-wing nutcases had ambushed the late President, Vice President, and other high-ranking government officials in Oregon in July with heavy machine guns. With most of the chain of command gone, it was left to Norrington, the new Speaker of the House, to assume the role of President. A rising star in the Republican Party, he'd been noticed first by Senator Mike DeWine as a vocal and influential member of the Ohio General Assembly. With the Senator's patronage, he was able to secure a seat in the House of Representatives. He then supplanted DeWine as an Ohio state senator in one of the closest Senate races seen for years. He was chosen Speaker of the House in January 2005, and held it until his recent promotion.
"All done, sir," said the makeup lady. She walked off, and Corrington got up and walked to a mirror by the door to the Oval Office. As he walked, he was flanked by Shim Torinni, the head of his Secret Service protective detail, and Gregory Manning, his Chief of Staff.
"Now remember, sir, the key to this is calm. Everything's under control, nothing to worry about, all reports you've probably heard are falsified and blown up by the media, and -"
Corrington cut him off. "Is all this on the Teleprompter?"
"Well, yes, but I just wanted to make sure you're up to speed."
"Look, if I need any advice or coaching, I'll ask. Until then, shut the fuck up."
"Yes sir."
Corrington sighed as he looked in the mirror. He suffered from the same narcissism many other career politicians shared. He adjusted his tie a little, and schooled his face into the solemn mask befitting the leader of the world's most powerful nation.
"Five minutes," shouted the White House Press Secretary from the Oval Office. Corrington nodded at himself in the mirror and walked into the Oval Office. He took in all the network cameras arrayed around the room with the high-intensity lights all on and shining on his monstrous desk at the back of the room. Corrington walked to his desk and sat down in his custom-made chair. He watched in amusement as the camera crews scrambled to make sure they were ready to broadcast. He shrugged. He had wanted to win the Presidency fair and square, instead of inheriting it in this fashion, but Hell, he decided, he'd take it however he could get it.
"One minute," shouted the Press Secretary. Corrington twisted in his seat, trying to get the cricks out of his neck and back. He nodded to Torinni, standing watchfully by the door, then composed his face back into the solemn mask and waited until the Press Secretary gave the signal to start the cameras. A multitude of red lights went on around the room. Corrington silently counted to three, then began speaking.
"My fellow Americans:
"I appear before you today to discuss what has come to my attention as a grave national concern. I am sure many of you have heard rumors of a new disease spreading across the nation, one that apparently has the power to turn everyone, men, women, and children into so-called vampires.
"First and foremost, these rumors are completely unfounded. It is true, there was a small outbreak in Washington State of a new strain of bird flu that briefly left the victim in a catatonic state, but I have been assured by several sources that the disease was contained completely within a single facility. No new cases have been reported to hospitals for three weeks.
"So why has this small event turned into a nationwide scare? The answer is complex, but can be traced to one factor: fear. A great President and a great man, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, once said that 'The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.' That statement is just as true in the 21st century as it was in the 1930's.
"Now, what can we do to prevent this fear? Well, first let us discuss our current fear: this phantom 'vampire' epidemic. I have said it once, and I will say it again: there is no epidemic sweeping the nation that turns its victims into the creatures of nightmares. My fellow citizens, please heed my advice: return to your normal lives. Go back to your jobs, your schools, your public buildings. Let your government handle the inquiries into this matter. I will say it one more time: The vampire epidemic is a complete fabrication.
"OK, so what can we do to prevent future episodes of these baseless scares? The first, and most important thing you, as a citizen of the United States, can do is trust your government. When there is an epidemic, terrorist attack, or anything else every person in the United States needs to know, let there be no doubt: the government of this country will do all in its power to ensure the safety and security of each and every citizen. We will let you know if it is an emergency, as a plague on the rumored scale would have been.
"My fellow Americans, I am a new President. I have only been sitting in this chair for a month, after the terrible events that unfolded, involving my late predecessor. But I will give you this pledge: I have the utmost concern for the freedoms and security of each and every one of you out there. No event will ever shake that. Through the courage of every American, and through the grace of God, we will make it through these terrible times and emerge even stronger than before.
"Thank you, and may God bless America."
Corrington waited until the camera lights went out, then stood up from the desk. He walked to the door, where Torinni took up formation on him. Corrington pushed his way through a crowd of aides, until Manning found him. "Excellent speech, sir," he said. "You were amazing. Just the right amount of concern, perfect body control, and..." He trailed off as Corrington pushed past him without a word.
Corrington stepped into his private bathroom to wash the makeup off and clean the mousse out of his hair. He finished, shook his head, and looked in the mirror. His reflection smiled back at him. "You've got this job down pat," it seemed to be telling him.
Corrington stepped out of the bathroom and looked at Torinni. "I'd like a little privacy in my lounge, OK? Keep everyone out."
She nodded, and they began walking down to the Presidential Lounge. Corrington smiled at the portraits of past Presidents lining the walls. They'd be proud of him and his ability to handle things after just three months, he thought.
They got to the lounge, and Corrington sat down in one of the leather armchairs in front of the fireplace. It couldn't be real, could it, he idly wondered. Must be gas jets in there. He picked up a copy of the Sporting News, and began to read about how his beloved Reds were regarding the year as a success, despite finishing the season in fourth place in their division.
He heard Torrini move behind him. "Sir? I was meaning to thank you, actually," she said softly.
Corrington didn't look up. "Oh yeah? For what?"
"Well, sir, you see, your speech was very convincing. Listening to you, no one would possibly believe that there are such things as vampires."
Corrington frowned. He looked at Torrini. "So how does that help you?"
She smiled, and Corrington saw fangs bared and flashing in the firelight. His eyes went wide, and he shuddered. He tried to get up, to scream, but Torrini, with inhuman strength, thrust him back into the chair with one hand and muffled his mouth with the other.
"You see, sir, now that all of America believes that vampires don't exist, it will be that much easier for us to spread. Oh, don't worry, sir. You get to experience it too. As one of us."
She lowered her mouth to Corrington's neck. His last thought before the fangs sunk in was that all the past Presidents would be very disappointed in him.
User Reviews
Submitted by minimumdino (user info) at 2006-01-11 13:56:28 EST (#)
Ranking: -2
reminds me of one summer day...
Submitted by minimumdino (user info) at 2006-01-10 18:38:54 EST (#)
Ranking: -2
herpes outbreak? get tested man!
Submitted by alfakyle (user info) at 2005-06-30 20:35:28 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Very much enjoyed it. One question: was he president for one month or three? "Three months" is stated twice, but during his speech he says "I have only been sitting in this chair for a month." I suppose it could be both, as the chair was custom made maybe he's only had it for a month.
Submitted by notyou (user info) at 2005-06-30 20:07:20 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Awesome.
Submitted by Jungle_Jimanee (user info) at 2005-06-22 11:10:35 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Yes this was good.
Submitted by nrduncan (user info) at 2005-05-12 17:41:31 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I have just got done reading these all and I have enjoyed them all. Great work everyone, +2's for all!
Submitted by Professional_Peon (user info) at 2005-03-12 11:53:33 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Here is my contribution - http://www.ubersite.com/m/61730
Submitted by Spam (user info) at 2005-03-10 03:18:00 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Nice
Submitted by TimeCop (user info) at 2005-03-10 00:08:19 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Tubular.
Submitted by JonnyX (user info) at 2005-03-09 18:23:45 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
couple of continuity errors, but still good...
Submitted by tlozoot (user info) at 2005-03-09 16:57:46 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Word.
Submitted by LadyPlural (user info) at 2005-03-08 23:21:57 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/03/08/high_school_zombie_threat/
Submitted by spedmonkey (user info) at 2005-03-08 21:42:09 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
thecaes: I intended it to be interprted as a disbelieving government not stepping in to stop the virus until too late. By then, the President himself, and presumably much of his staff, would be vampires themselves. Also, I'm glad so many people liked this. I thought someone, at least, would complain that it was too political and slow-moving (and I suck at writing speeches). But hey, I'll try and make more contributions later.
Submitted by Snark (user info) at 2005-03-08 20:47:16 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Silly Ole President
Submitted by Kre8rix (user info) at 2005-03-08 16:03:01 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Good work.
Submitted by munkeypants (user info) at 2005-03-08 15:22:46 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
excellent!
Submitted by engine13 (user info) at 2005-03-08 14:20:42 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by Dannie (user info) at 2005-03-08 11:40:26 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Ohhh good one.
Submitted by DonkeyOnTheEdge (user info) at 2005-03-08 11:38:38 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Interesting.
Submitted by creep_firebombing (user info) at 2005-03-08 11:02:40 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by Avals (user info) at 2005-03-08 01:54:59 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Shit, I should get it on the act while I still can.
Just a note though: I'm pretty sure they keep the important guys in the chain of command from travelling together for this exact reason. Too many freaks have access to light machine-guns those days...
Submitted by Slypher (user info) at 2005-03-08 01:36:12 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
I love this shit.
I call the next installment!
Submitted by hcp28 (user info) at 2005-03-08 00:52:42 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
I liked it.
Submitted by LadyPlural (user info) at 2005-03-08 00:26:38 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
SHENANIGANS
Nobody would believe the President about anything like that. Come on, he was probably a vampire to start with. Silliness.
Submitted by thecaes (user info) at 2005-03-08 00:10:31 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Good one!
You made the vampire thing seem more like a high-level conspiracy than an unplanned viral outbreak, though. Was this your intention or a side-effect of the story you wanted to tell?
Submitted by Jack_McCallum (user info) at 2005-03-07 23:47:09 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
NICE!
Another impotant note in the timeline too. Thanks for adding to this.
Also, I liked the 'until then, shut the fuck up' line.
Submitted by Genko (user info) at 2005-03-07 23:22:40 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
These are great.
Submitted by DonovanMD (user info) at 2005-03-07 23:22:20 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Excellent post. I read it twice.
Submitted by spedmonkey (user info) at 2005-03-07 23:08:23 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Oh yeah, read http://www.ubersite.com/m/61238 first if this doesn't make sense to you.