Oscar sat in his office chair staring at his desk. He knew he had work to do but couldn't bring himself to do any of it. Oscar was excited and conflicted regarding his meeting this morning with the Secretary. The meeting had started out just as all the other meetings he had with the Secretary over the years. The Secretary had greeted him warmly and motioned for Oscar to take a seat at the elegant round conference table in the office. After discussing several national security issues Oscar thought the meeting was over but when he started to get up the Secretary said "Oscar there is one more thing I would like to discuss with you.". "Can you give me a few more minutes?" Oscar sat back down in his chair wondering what was on the Secretary's mind.
"Oscar, I will get right to the point, I have decided to retire effective two months from now on March 1."
Oscar was stunned. He had no idea that tht Secretary was thinking about retiring. Oscar wondered whom the President would appoint as his successor. Oscar and the Secretary had had their ups and downs over the years but Oscar admired and respected this man. It would be difficult to work for someone else after all these years.
The Secretary continued "The President has asked me for my recommendation as to who should take my place." "As you know there are many talented and experienced people working in Washington that would fit the bill but I feel an obligation to the country to recommend the best person possible."
Oscar wondered where this was going. Was he going to ask him who he thought would be best for the job? Was the Secretary trying to break some bad news to Oscar that he would be recommending Hansen for the position? Oscar thought he would have to resign rather then work for Hansen.
The Secretary continued, "After considering everything I have come to the conclusion that you are the best person for the job."
Oscar blinked several times and tried to hide how shocked he was at hearing the Secretary say he was going to recommend him to become the Secretary of Defense. A million thoughts raced through his head. How could he be the Secretary of Defense? Was he prepared enough for such an important position? What about the OSI? How could he leave the OSI after all these years? Who would replace him to run the OSI? Oscar then realized that if he were appointed Secretary of Defense then he would be responsible for finding and appointing his own replacement. He would be leaving the OSI but in a lot of ways still ultimately in charge of the agency he loved so much. Oscar was still lost in his thoughts when the Secretary asked him if he would consider the position.
"Oscar I know you are very attached to the OSI but your country needs a strong leader to step up and replace me." "We need a dedicated, intelligent, experienced and moral person in this chair." "Not many people in Washington have your abilities and experience." "What do you think?" "I will understand if you need some time to think about it but I have to give my recommendation to The President four days from now."
Oscar stammered his appreciation for the Secretaries confidence in him and said that he would indeed like to take a few days to think about it. Oscar promised to give the Secretary his answer in two days. Oscar then left the Secretary's office and headed back to the office he had occupied for years, the office that was like a second home to him.