Disclaimer: Terry chemistry and American Politics inspired this story.


Quote: "I wonder if I've been changed in the night. Let me think. Was I the same when I got up this morning? I almost think I can remember feeling a little different. But if I'm not the same, the next question is 'Who in the world am I?' Ah, that's the great puzzle!" ― Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland (1865)


"Does this mean Mom gets to be President?" Jerry asked the room in general.

Cyrus, who'd been hunting between the sofa cushions for Ella's sock, looked up. "You would think so. But we're talking politics, so don't hold your breath. We've just gone down the rabbit hole. I'd say the craziness is about to begin…"


Breaking News

'…The Republican National Committee has ruled out organising another convention to select new candidates for the Presidential ticket. They will convene an emergency meeting today to discuss the 20th Amendment implications on a nominee who is unable to run for office. Political experts across the divide say Mrs Olivia Grant would be the most obvious choice to replace Mrs Langston but it's not guaranteed…'


RNC Headquarters

"The 20th Amendment states the Vice-President elect becomes President. There's no talk in the Constitution about what happens to the order of candidates on a ticket before anyone votes."

"We need to replace Langston."

"We don't have anyone with enough charisma to grab the vote from Edison Davies at the 11th hour."

"Two unknowns on the ticket?! It will be a wipeout!"

"Langston can't run for office. She's crazy!"

"You a doctor? No? Then sit down!"

"It sure looked crazy to the 160 million eligible voters who saw her screaming at the devil."

"C-Span doesn't have 160 million people watching at any one time."

"Some bright spark recorded the whole thing and put it on social media. It's gone viral."

"Damn kids."

"It was a Democrat. The Speaker of the House."

"Damn, Democrats."

"Let's keep to the point."

"There's nothing to say Langston can't be President."

"Thomas Eagleton, the Democrat for Vice President had to quit in 1972, after he had been treated for depression."

"All our problems would be solved if Olivia Pope was the crazy one."

"Who's Olivia Pope?"

"God Almighty, Harrison! Did you forget to take your pills? She's the Vice-Presidential candidate."

"For the Democrats?"

"The Republicans!"

"Oh, she's one of us. What's the problem?"

"She's the one who came back from the dead."

"That's a miracle! The Bible belt would vote for her!"

"She's a Communist."

"We can't have a Communist running for President!"

"Guess that settles it, Langston will remain the Presidential candidate."


Breaking News

… 'The Republican National Committee has voted for Sally Langston to remain Presidential Candidate. In a statement released today, the committee believes Mrs Langston will make a full recovery with the proper treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder…

…'Meanwhile the American Psychiatric Association has published a reminder on the ethics underpinning the Goldwater Rule, which does not allow its members to present a professional diagnosis of a public figure without examining the person or receiving consent to make public their mental health condition...'


"She tried to kill us." Fitz gritted.

"She didn't," Zeke reminded him gently, staring at the bandages on Fitz's head.

"She's going to get away with trying to kill us. Not guilty by reason of insanity."

"Langston won't be going to trial. They've decided she's not fit to stand trial."

"But she's fit to run for President."

"Look, bro, we have to stop talking about Langston. I've been ordered not to make you upset. That goose egg on your head has got them all worried. I dunno why. You took a bullet to the head. Driftwood should be a piece of cake."

"They were going to release me next week, but after Sally's episode they've decided to keep me under further observation."

"I'd say that has more to do with your mermaid story, than Langston."

"Liv won't admit she saved me."

Zeke shook his head, grinning. "Man, you two…"


Breaking News…

…'Republican Candidate for President Sally Langston has been moved to a private treatment facility to fast track her recovery…

…'Meanwhile, senior Democrats and young Republicans for Change have formed an unusual alliance to sue the RNC after it was announced Mrs Sally Langston would remain the Republican candidate for President. The suit claims the RNC is jeapordising national security with a candidate who has not yet proven her mental fitness to be President of the United States…


RNC Meeting…

"What are they suing us for this time?"

"Nominating a lunatic for President."

"They didn't have a problem with the others."

"Do you want that to be our defense? There is a precedent for lunatics, so what difference will one more make?"

"This one's certifiable."

"Get some experts in here!"


Experts present their opinion.

Dr A: "Mrs Langston is heavily medicated. She becomes violent when she is taken off her meds."

RNC panel: "Describe 'violent'?"

Dr A: "She throws whatever comes to hand and tries to attack female African American nurses as being the devil."

RNC panel: "Thank you, doctor, for your time."

Dr B: "Mrs Langston is unresponsive to questions when she is medicated."

RNC panel: "Define 'unresponsive'."

Dr B: "She stares into space... and drools."

RNC panel: "Thank you, doctor, for your time."

RNC panel: "In your opinion, doctor, is Mrs Langston getting the best treatment available?"

Dr C: "Mrs Langston's treatment protocols are FDA-approved for PTSD patients."

RNC Panel: "What about experimental treatments? Would she respond better to a drug that is being tested in a controlled group?"

Dr C: "I cannot say one way or another as that is a hypothetical question."


Breaking News…

…'A group calling themselves Citizens for Voting Justice have threatened to picket voting centres in the Red States if Mrs Sally Langston's name remains on the ballot. A post-war veteran among the lead organisers says PTSD is a mental condition that does not marry well with a high-stress job like the Presidency. Research has found that veterans with PTSD are 50% more likely to be unemployed…'


RNC meets with Sally Langston's campaign staff.

"We've been working around the clock to put a positive spin on what's happened."

"Has the brainwashing worked?"

"Voters are concerned about the two women working together when one of them tried to kill the other."

"They don't have to work together. Richard Nixon didn't, with Spiro Agnew."

"If we're talking murder, it's rumoured that President Andrew Jackson threatened to kill Vice President John Calhoun during the nullification crisis, when Calhoun supported South Carolina's intention to secede from the United States."

"We're trying to avoid reinforcing the view that Sally tried to kill Mrs Grant."

"How is the PTSD angle working?"

"People are worried about Sally's ability to do the job."

"We'd like to reassure them, but the shrinks are noncommittal."

"We need a miracle."


A couple of days later, one senior RNC advisor contacts another trusted senior advisor ...

"Looks like we've got a miracle."

"What the hell are you talking about?"

"I've got message from a Big Pharma company. One of their PTSD drugs has done wonders in overseas drug trials. Might be just thing we need to help Sally."

"What's the problem?"

"The drug is on the FDA's priority approval list and they need it fast-tracked …"


Breaking News…

'Republican candidate for President Sally Langston is reportedly responding well to a new drug for PTSD recently launched on the market. The drug has reportedly yielded positive results in clinical trials conducted by XYZ Big Pharma in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa.

Spokesperson for XYZ Big Pharma; 'We have had fantastic results in clinical trials on orphans in India. The drug received accelerated approved by the FDA as a breakthrough treatment...'

...A lead medical researcher, "It's early days but Mrs Langston is responding well to treatment …'


RNC Headquarters

"No one's heard of this wonder drug. Are you sure it's safe?"

"Quit looking a gift horse in the mouth."

"How soon can we trot out our candidate for the cameras?"

"The doctors say it's early days. But she's stopped throwing things."

"That's a relief. Because every troll in this country is sharing that image of Sally Langston throwing a jug at Olivia Grant."

"I've had the National Trust for Historic Artifacts wanting to know how the RNC intends to compensate the nation for potential damage to priceless statues, furniture and artwork in the Oval office."

"As long as Langston takes her pills, the Lincoln bust should be safe."


Breaking News…

'…The share price for XYZ Big Pharma has skyrocketed since last night, after it was revealed the drug has shown promising results in the treatment of high-profile PTSD patient, Mrs Sally Langston... Mrs Langston remains the Republican candidate for President of the United States... Governments in the Eurozone and Australia have begun negotiations with the company for generic production of the medication, as well as moves to list it on taxpayer-subsidised schemes for prescription drugs. This will give greater public access to the drug, which currently retails at $1000 a dose in the United States. If Australia were to succeed in getting the drug listed on its Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, it would cost around US$20 for the average Australian, or between US$4-5 for a retiree on benefits…'


A senior member of Sally's medical team and whistleblower from XYZ Big Pharma meet with a senior RNC advisor, in the blind spot in an underground car park.

"They don't want us talking about this. The medication isn't working."

"Has she turned violent again?"

"Worse."

"What? Is she dead?"

"As good as. She's in a coma and needs help breathing."

"Damn! How long were they going to keep that a secret?"

"For as long as possible. Or until the international negotiations are signed, sealed and delivered. They're negotiating the investor-state settlement clauses, with the help of the State Department and the International Trade Administration."

"Minimising damages and making sure any legal disputes remain secret from the public."

"That's about the size of it."

"With the government involved, there's more than our profits on the line."


Senior RNC advisor meets another trusted senior RNC advisor

"The media circus expects us to present Langston, fit enough to be President."

"At least she won't be throwing things."

"Langston is a vegetable, and we're on record saying she's on the road to recovery."

"The public will believe Sally's on the road to recovery when they see her."

"Jeez Louise. Did you hear a word I said? Sally is in a coma!"

"Which Sally?"

"What?"

"Which Sally? We've got two – the real Sally Langston, and the other Sally who was hired to impersonate her."


There was a knock on the door of Sally Mae's hotel room.

"Room Service!"

Recognising the voice of the guard at the door, Sally Mae came out of the en suite with a towel wrapped around her head. Dinner was being served early today. Not that she was complaining. She had nothing else to do. She hadn't been able to escape her hotel room, since leaving the hospital. Not with the media ready to pounce the moment she ventured outside.

Sally Mae opened the door, to see the security guard standing next to an unfamiliar waiter and an all-too familiar dinner trolley.

"Evening, ma'am. The chef's made something extra special for you today."

Sally thanked him, honestly overwhelmed at the care she was receiving.

Once the waiter had departed with a generous tip, Sally headed for the en suite again. Then popped her head out of the doorway. A phone was ringing but it couldn't be her phone, which was most certainly water-damaged and possibly incinerated. The ringing came from the dishes that had been placed on the table.

Lifting covers at random, Sally Mae saw a phone nestled in a bed of lettuce.

"Crazy," she muttered, but reached for the phone anyway and flicked it open. "Hello?"

"Sally Mae?"

"Who's asking?"

"Sally Mae Reardon from Longford?"

Sally Mae fell silent, shock coursing through her.

"Ms Reardon, you arrived in the United States from the Irish town of Longford, 36 years ago and you never left. You are an undocumented, and therefore illegal, immigrant. The United States of America deports illegal immigrants."

Sally sank into a chair. "Who is this?" she whispered.

"That is not important. All you need to do, to avoid indefinite detention in an Immigration and Customs Enforcement Centre, is to assist us with a very delicate matter. It is paramount that you do as you're told and only what you are told. If you disconnect this call, you will be arrested and ultimately deported from the United States."

There was a long pause, then Sally Mae whispered, "What do you want?"

"My offer is conditional on the basis that this conversation, and all subsequent events leading on from this conversation, remains confidential. You cannot breathe a word of this to anyone or you will be on the first flight home, never to return. Do you understand?"

"Yes…"


Breaking News…

'…A spokesman for XYZ Pharma says their star patient Mrs Sally Langston has almost recovered from the trauma she suffered. Mrs Langston was diagnosed with PTSD after she attacked Vice Presidential candidate Olivia Grant with a water jug. The media has been invited to meet with Mrs Langston at the treatment centre tomorrow…

'…Meanwhile, it has been revealed that the trauma event which caused Mrs Langston's hospitalisation was due to insurance fraud. Mrs Langston and Mrs Grant were both onboard a superyacht for a fund raising event, when a stockpile of military-grade bombs inside the yacht, detonated. A trial currently underway in a Texas courtroom has revealed the explosions were organised with the intent to commit a state and federal crime…'


"Sally tried to kill us. Are we all meant to have amnesia about Sally being in cahoots with everyone else involved in this crime?" Fitz muttered.

"Most of that is a state secret." Olivia switched off the news and slipped her arms around Fitz, in a tight hug.

"If Sally is declared well enough, will you remain on the ticket with her?"

"I've been thinking about that."

"What have you decided?"

"It's best to keep your enemies close."

"Liv, she tried to kill you. There's nothing to stop her trying again."

"No, but the same goes for Edison. Either of them can become President and neither can be trusted."

"You're saying we won't be safe, one way or another."

"Yes."


Breaking News…

The treatment centre where Mrs Sally Langston is undergoing treatment for PTSD, has just announced donations worth $50 billion from private benefactors, to expand the number of existing beds, and upgrade inpatient facilities…

…'Meanwhile, the media was treated to a brief question-and-answer session with the medical team and Mrs Langston. We asked Mrs Langston about her treatment and how she feels about her odds of being the next President of the United States. The full segment will be televised after the News at Nine…'

…'In other news, a hotel in downtown Houston was the scene of a deadly shootout last night, between three fugitives on the run, and police. Two guests and one hotel employee were killed in the incident, with eleven reportedly injured…'


The Langston Media Circus.

The doctor in charge: "Mrs Langton's recovery is nothing short of miraculous. She has responded better than expected to the new drug. I reckon it is her fighting spirit that has got her this far. She has fought her way to achieving this incredible recovery in such a short period of time…"

Sally speaks: "I thank the Lord for this miracle. The Lord knows I have not been an easy patient. [Trickle of laughter]. This experience has made me even more empathetic to the trauma suffered by our veterans. I was deeply paranoid, and quick to trigger a violent reaction if I felt threatened in anyway. I do however forgive myself for those reactions as I had, only hours before, survived a life-threatening event. I know there are concerns about my mental capacity to be the next President of the United States. I would like to remind the public that being in the vicinity of enough bombs to destroy a superyacht is not an everyday event, not for a Presidential candidate or even a President. I am now back in control of my emotions and as my first course of action, I will apologise to Olivia, for taking my trauma out on her, when she herself had suffered the same fate…"


Huck urgently buzzed a nurse.

A few minutes later, Olivia arrived in his room. "What's wrong?"

"That's not Sally Langston."

Olivia looked towards the frozen segment of news on the television monitor.

"That woman is not Langston. Sally Mae Reardon has a skin tag under her left ear lobe. So does the woman on the screen."


Olivia left Huck's room and called Sally Mae's hotel.

"Mrs Grant, the guest in Room 346 is missing. We had a police incident here last night. The guard hired to protect Ms X at your request was killed in the shootout. We had to evacuate guests from the rooms overlooking the main street. None of our staff, remember seeing her after the evacuation…"


Olivia called Zeke.


President Zeke called the treatment centre, and patched immediately to the CEO.

"Mrs Langston is doing very well."

"Well enough to have visitors?"

There was a pause, then a confident, "Uh…were you planning a visit, Mr President?"

"Is that a problem?"

"Mrs Langston did have a strong reaction to your presence the last time you saw her."

"When she was suffering from PTSD. Now that she's recovered, she should be okay about seeing me."

There was a longer pause. "Of course, Mr President. We look forward to your visit."


President Zeke arrives with a retinue of Secret Service agents.

After a brief tour of the facilities, captured by news crews organised by the centre's publicity department, Zeke was escorted into Sally's room.

"Mr President, this is a surprise!" Sally smiled.

Zeke smiled back. "A good one, I hope."

"Why of course. I am honoured as always by your presence."

"I am glad to hear you say that, especially after my last visit."

"I do apologise for that afternoon. I was clearly not myself."

"It sure does look that way."

"I am much better now. I hope we can let bygones be bygones."

"Hell, I ain't one to hold a grudge. To prove it to you. I got you a little gift. Hope you don't mind, if I get one of my agents to give it to you?"

Sally smiled. "Oh, I don't mind at all. I love surprises."

A red-headed female agent stepped forward and held out a gift wrapped parcel the size of a jewellery box.

"It's a voting pin from 1915," Zeke murmured watching Sally unwrap the box.

"'Votes for Women'." Sally held up the pin for the cameras. "I will treasure it. Even though I do recall that Congress denied women's right to vote that year."

Zeke smiled. "The women who came before did not let that stand in their way." He paused before adding, "Abby helped me choose the pin."

"I thought you would like it," the red-headed agent said.

Sally's smile widened. "Why thank you. I guess I am a role model even for the Secret Service."

"Don't you recognise me, Sally?" The redhead asked.

Sally frowned. "I...can't say I do. Were you... assigned to me at the White House?"

A brunette stepped forward. "Do you remember me?"

Sally paused, looking like a deer in headlights.

Zeke said almost kindly, "This is Abby and Quinn, Olivia's associates. The real Sally Langston knows them very well. Which begs the question, who are you?"

"Cut! Cut! Cut!' The PR lady who'd been part of the throng following Zeke, almost yanked the nearest camera out of a crew member's hands and started to shoo everyone out of the room.


Once the door closed, Zeke turned to the patient. "You are Sally Mae Reardon."

Sally Mae looked relieved as she gave a slight nod.

"I don't believe you organised this charade but why did you agree to it?"

Sally Mae told Zeke about the phone call, and how she had been smuggled out in her dressing gown, in the middle of the night, during a shootout in front of the hotel. She had arrived at the treatment centre in an unmarked car. After that, she'd been prepped for the media, and subsequently, President Zeke's visit. "Will I be arrested and sent to ICE detention now?"

"No." Zeke stood. "Not if you cooperate fully with the Justice Department's investigations."


President Zeke has an off-camera meeting with the executives and senior medical personnel at the treatment centre.

"Do we need our lawyers?"

"I can delay this meeting, until you and your lawyers are prepared to answer questions before a congressional inquiry."

"Our treatment centre has entered into a bilateral non-disclosure agreement with XYZ Big Pharma."

"You have a duty to disclose now the cat's out of the bag. I didn't invite the news cameras in here. You did. Now someone better talk, because the public is waiting…"


President Zeke has an in-camera video conference alongside centre management, speaking to XYZ Big Pharma executives, and the company board of directors.

Zeke: "Your golden goose is cooked. She's in a coma."

XYZ: "We were told the patient fell and bumped her head."

Medics: "We made no such report."

Zeke: "The Surgeon General will organise an independent examination of Mrs Langston, to confirm her injuries."

XYZ: "She was given the wrong dosage."

Medics: "On the contrary, Mrs Langston had an adverse reaction to the medication, which was administered exactly as prescribed by your organisation."

XYZ: "Someone miscalculated the dosage."

Medics: "We've been doing our own investigations. Three teenage girls at the orphanage in India are on life support after suffering, similar adverse reactions."

XYZ: "Three out of twenty test subjects. It was obviously an error in dosage. English isn't their first language."

Zeke: "Who involved Sally Mae Reardon in this fiasco?"

Medics: "The RNC brought her in as a stop-gap measure."

XYZ: "To stop the house of cards from tumbling down…"


President Zeke calls on the RNC, meets with a couple of senior advisors.

Zeke: "You knew about this."

RNC 1: "We knew Sally was recovering but not at the speed the public expect."

Zeke: "Sally's on life support."

RNC 2: "We wanted a plan to avoid a wipe-out the next election. It was a long shot."

Zeke: "The intent to deceive is a criminal act."

RNC 1: "It comes with the territory. Politics is not for the faint-hearted. Langston is a threat to Oliva Grant, but Grant is seen as a threat to the American way of life. The party faithful have been organising anti-left education sessions titled 'Socialism: wrecks nations and destroys of societies'. They see socialism as communism; a lesser wolf in sheep's clothing, but still a wolf."

RNC 2: "Socialism is a threat to our individual freedoms and our God-given rights to free enterprise"

Zeke: "What you're saying is that the committee would prefer a potential murderer or known imposter, over Olivia, who's been vilified in the party room, by projecting the fears of the 1% on the 99?"

[Silence]


President Zeke fronts the media in the White House Press Briefing Room.

"…I know you have a lot of questions. What I'll say next should provide some answers. Mrs Sally Langston is in a coma. We are conducting an independent investigation to find out what caused her condition. When we find out more, we will let you know. Trade negotiations between XYZ Pharma and other international bodies have been suspended pending the outcome of the investigation. Medical trials using the PTSD drug on other patients have also been suspended. Two senior RNC advisors who have admitted to prior knowledge of Mrs Langston's condition, are under investigation on their intent to commit fraud on the voting public."

Media: 'Who will represent the Republican Party at the next Presidential election?'

Zeke: 'The Republican National Committee will be making an announcement after making that decision.'

Media: 'With Sally Langston on life-support and in no position to continue the campaign, will the RNC committee nominate Mrs Olivia Grant to take her place?'

Zeke: 'That's a question for the RNC.'

Media: 'If Mrs Grant runs for President, who will be Vice-Presidential candidate?'

Zeke: 'Part B of your question depends on part A.'


Breaking News…

'…Following President Zeke's press briefing, the Republican National Committee has confirmed Mrs Olivia Grant's nomination. Mrs Grant will replace Mrs Sally Langston as the Republican candidate for president at the upcoming elections. It appears not everyone is happy with the RNC decision to nominate Mrs Grant. Several injunctions have been filed in Federal court to prevent Mrs Grant representing the party, for President...'


The court hearings begin…

Citizens against Communism v Olivia Pope Grant – 'A Communist Cannot Run for President'

Plaintiffs: 'We are filing a motion to reverse the RNC decision to let Mrs Grant run for President.'

Judge: 'On what basis?'

Plaintiffs: 'The Communist Control Act of 1954 signed into law by President Dwight Eisenhower.'

Defence: 'The Act was ruled unconstitutional by Arizona in 1973.'

Plaintiffs: 'The Supreme Court has not ruled that it is unconstitutional.'

Judge: 'Is Mrs Grant a paid-up member of the Communist Party of the United Sates?'

Defence: 'The Communist Party of the United States have provided an affidavit confirming that Mrs Olivia Pope Grant is not, was not and has never supported the Communist Party financially or politically.'

Judge: 'Has Mrs Grant declared herself to be a Communist.'

Defence: 'Mrs Grant is on record declaring the opposite, that she is not a Communist.'

Judge: 'Can the Plaintiffs prove Mrs Grant is a Communist?'

Plaintiffs: 'Mrs Grant went to China…'

Judge: 'Last I checked, every President since Richard Nixon has visited China in an official capacity. None of them are on record as being Communists. Got anything else?'

Plaintiffs: 'According to Media Reports…'

Judge: 'Is the media here to give evidence?'

Plaintiffs: 'No.'

Judge: 'Besides media reports, do you have any proof that Mrs Grant is a Communist?'

Plaintiffs: 'No.'

Judge bangs his gavel: 'Case dismissed.'


The court hearings continue…

Republicans for Sally Langston v RNC – 'The RNC cannot fill a role that has not been vacated'

Plaintiffs: 'Number 9 of the of Republican Party Rule Book states that the RNC can fill a candidate vacancy on the national ticket. They cannot create a vacancy. Mrs Sally Langston has not withdrawn her candidacy.'

Defence: 'Rule 9a of the Rules specifically state and this is a direct quote of the text - The Republican National Committee is hereby authorized and empowered to fill any and all vacancies which may occur by reason of death, declination, or otherwise of the Republican candidate for President of the United States or the Republican candidate for Vice President of the United States...''

Plaintiffs: 'Mrs Langston is not dead. Nor has she declined her nomination.'

Defence: 'Mrs Langston is on life-support. She is not able to withdraw her candidacy.'

Plaintiffs: 'In medical terms, Mrs Langston is alive. A medical report conducted in the US and UK in 1985 found that 20% of hypoxic–ischaemic coma patients made a full recovery. Here are the report findings, and the statement by XYZ Big Pharma that the Mrs Langston is in a vegetative state due to a drug overdose.'

Defence: 'The independent inquiry into Mrs Langston current state is still ongoing. It cannot be concluded that Mrs Langston is a hypoxic-ischaemic coma patient. Nor can it be concluded that Mrs Langston will be included in the 20% of patients who make a full recovery as opposed to the 80% who do not.'

Plaintiffs: 'While Mrs Langston is medically alive, we cannot rule out the possibility that she will recover.'

Judge: 'What is the 'otherwise' definition of the Rule?'

Defence: 'Everything that falls between death and declining.'

Plaintiffs: 'There are no clear guidelines to what 'otherwise' entails.'

Judge: 'But there are clear definitions that a candidate maybe chosen with a majority of the vote. Did Mrs Grant receive a majority of votes within the committee?'

Defence: 'Yes'

Judges bangs his gavel: 'Case dismissed.'


Breaking News…

'…Republican Party members are demanding proof of vote from the RNC, as evidence the majority voted for Mrs Grant. They claim committee members were told to vote for Mrs Grant, even if she was not their first choice to replace Mrs Langston. The party at large are now calling for the 168 committee members to reveal their vote in a publicly televised count to reassure the party that Mrs Grant is their true representative or to reconvene the convention to allow the 2472 delegates to re-cast their votes…'


RNC hold media conference after the mammoth task of getting convention delegates to re-cast their votes.

"… Following the impasse where we couldn't get all 168 to go public with their vote for Mrs Olivia Grant, we convened an emergency vote of the convention delegates. I have today the results of that vote."

[Pause, followed by throat clearing]

"... I have to say this has never happened in the history of a Presidential election – but the majority has chosen Sally Langston to run for President."

Reporter: "Did you say the delegates have voted for the incumbent - Sally Langston?"

RNC spokesperson: "Yes, that's what I said."


In the 'United Nations' TV room at a maximum security prison, Juan Garcia, Abdul Hassan, Joshua Jonathan Jones and Hollis Doyle watched the proceedings.

"Did they just vote for a dead woman?"

"She ain't dead yet."

"But she's as good as."

"Why did they even put her name up for a vote?"

"That's the million-dollar question."

"Man, this voting business is crazy!"

"It's a business."


RNC media conference continues…

Reporter 2: "How many votes did Mrs Olivia Grant get?"

RNC spokesperson: "Mrs Grant did not receive any votes…"

Reporter 2: "None of the delegates voted for Mrs Grant? Not one?"

RNC spokesperson: "She didn't get any votes because she wasn't on the ballot."

[There was a clamouring of questions, with all the reporters shouting questions at once.]

RNC spokesperson [once everyone had calmed down]: "There was a glitch. It's a new electronic voting system and it somehow brought up the original convention ballot instead of the updated version. We suspect it was human error but we'll be investigating the matter as a priority."

Reporter 3: "Will there be another vote?"

RNC spokesperson: "We can't have another vote when there's a malfunction in the system."

Reporter 4: "So the delegates want a candidate, who is incapacitated, to take the Presidential oath?"

RNC Spokesperson: "We expect Mrs Langston to be well enough to take the oath herself."

Reporter 5: "Is that a medical certainty?"

RNC spokesperson: "We cannot be certain until the investigation into her treatment is concluded. In the meantime, Mrs Grant – as the nominee for Vice-Presidential candidate – will stand in for Mrs Langston until Mrs Langston is well enough to carry on those duties herself."


Jerry turned to Rowan: "Is Mom still running for President?"

Rowan nodded. "Olivia gets to run for President without actually being Presidential candidate."

Peter frowned. "Aunt Liv has to be both Presidential and Vice-Presidential candidate?"

Rowan gave a wry smile. "Very apt. Yes, that's essentially what's going to happen."

Karen shook her head. "That's crazy."


A/N: This story pales in comparison to what's really going in US politics. Hoping for the best for the US, and the world.

BTW, I have taken so many insane liberties in this chapter that I was going to say it could only happen in a parallel universe... but not after the last two weeks! For the smidgen of factually based info, see references below

Could America Elect a Mentally Ill President? - Politico

Brace for a Voter-Turnout Tsunami – Atlantic

Preparing for a Disputed Presidential Election:An Exercise in Election Risk Assessment and Management - Edward B. Foley (Law commons)

Goldwater rule – Wikipedia

How Does PTSD Affect Employability? Institute for Advanced Medical Research

What Happens If A Presidential Nominee Can No Longer Run For Office? FiveThirtyEight

Ámerica v Socialism': conservatives rage against the left and plot new red scare – The Guardian

Fast Track, Breakthrough Therapy, Accelerated Approval, Priority Review – FDA

Lies, damned lies and drug trials – New Statesman

Questionable marketing tactics are a major problem with pharma – The Pharmaceutical Journal

White, Irish, and undocumented in America - CNN

What Happens When an Undocumented Immigrant Is Caught - NOLO

Election Litigation: Case Studies in Emergency Election Litigation – Federal Judicial Centre

Communist Control Act of 1954 - Wikipedia

State laws and party rules on replacing a presidential nominee, 2016 - Ballotpedia

The Prognosis of Medical Coma – Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry

American Presidents and Vice Presidents Who Hated Each Other - Cheatsheet