Disclaimer: Shondaland/ABC owns these characters. But I've taken the Gladiator oath as a writer: #OLITZ4LIFE #JAMMMmmmmm #100%
Dead-Mellie and NO-Joke: Public Service Announcement for any accidental non-Olitz readers
Day One
Commander-in-Chief means business. President Sally Langston declares Martial Law, suspends Habeas Corpus, claims it is to protect the American public from her predecessor; declares he is 'unstable' and has used 'criminal connections' to commit the murder of a Federal employee.
First Lady Olivia Pope-Grant removes family from White House; leaves for Vermont. Unnamed sources say she didn't want to share the Executive Residence with the man who tried to 'drown' her. Daniel Douglas-Langston, now First Husband, is due to move in tomorrow. White House chief usher, butler quit. Household staff walk out, flies with First Lady to Vermont. Cook, butler, maids, gardeners are brought in from Number One Observatory Circle.
Day two
Residents protest in Washington DC; police chief refuses to make arrests. Pentagon chief tells President it is an act of treason to set military on American citizens on American soil. Suggests work-around by getting Canada or Mexico to annexe the United States.
First Lady Olivia Pope sues President Langston over the 'rendition' of her husband; the slander and defamation of the Grant name; and the unjust incarceration of her associates and President Grant's friends. She claims Mrs Langston is furthering her own political agenda by maligning her husband. She is being assisted by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). As a preliminary measure, the FBI is forced to set up a live video link twice a day allowing President Grant, still at an unspecified location, to speak to Mrs Grant and their children.
Day Three
President Langston declares all protestors 'enemies of the state'. Pentagon chief resigns. Deputy gets promoted. New Pentagon chief says government has the right to kill an American citizen on American soil with the use of drones under the National Defense Authorization Act. The Act also provides for a US citizen to be detained on US soil under the legal framework of 'armed conflict', instead of a criminal justice system. Federal and state law courts inundated with law suits against President Langston.
First Lady Olivia Pope-Grant speaks to the gathered protestors, urges them to remain calm with DC police chief at her side. The chief said he called Mrs Grant following her 'invaluable assistance' last year, in preventing a riot when the Klu Klux Klan came to town. The DC Mayor later met with Mrs Grant to thank her for getting the crowd to take their protest off the streets of DC and into the 'e-mailboxes' of elected officials in Congress, State and local governments, as well as filing citizen suits in Federal Court.
Day Four
Congress divided on President Langston's actions; brawl breaks out on floor of both houses. Video of the punch-up goes viral in Taiwan, Ukraine, India, Bolivia and Somalia.
The First Lady arrives on Capitol Hill; enters House of Representative chamber after scuffle between pro-Langston Republicans and everyone else. Takes the stand at Speaker's Rostrum, where her husband gave his SOTU speech a couple of months ago, to address both houses of Congress. Advocates against sanctioning President Langston's arbitrary move on Martial Law; and having her husband, President Grant, declared unfit. Speaks amidst boos and shouts to 'get her out' as well as cheers and applause from the galleries. More scuffles breakout. Meanwhile White House chief of staff Cyrus Beene is released from hospital, announces he is taking an indefinite leave of absence.
Day Five
Pro-gun policies by President paves the way for guns in church, schools. President Sally Langston reverses Executive Order on Gun Safety. Georgia passes gun laws allowing state residents to carry concealed weapons in bars, churches, government offices and schools. Anti and pro-gun advocates cause Social Media meltdown with increase web traffic to protest legislative changes, as they don't feel safe taking their protests to the street.
First Lady Olivia Pope-Grant does the talk-show circuit, reminds pro-gun advocates that her husband was not about taking away their right to own guns; he was ensuring their right to own guns safely and to protect their children from being shot dead by the improper storage and sale of firearms. Mrs Grant asks 'if you had suffered the trauma of getting shot, isn't it reasonable to do everything in your power to protect your children?' Most audiences agree they would.
Day Six
Proving that she is BFF with Big Business, President Langston says she intends to reduce 'tax burden' on wealth-generators for the nation; lower labour costs by reducing minimum wage to make America more competitive; and increases subsidies for oil and gas. Occupy Wall Street movement gets second wind, protestors block traffic in Manhattan's financial district.
First Lady Olivia Pope and White House chief of staff, Cyrus Beene speak to Occupy Wall Street protestors about President Fitzgerald Grant's initiatives to tackle child poverty among working families. Mrs Grant-Pope and Mr Beene were joined by a group of White House interns, led by TJ Broadhurst (son of financier Samuel Broadhurst) who spoke of President Grant's barely-publicised action in putting all White House interns on payroll, through a corporate-sponsored funding scheme that wouldn't burden tax-payers. TJ says President took immediate action after indigent interns complained about the difficulties of their unpaid work experience.
Day Seven
President Langston orders protestors out of Manhattan CBD. New York Governor refuses to evict protestors, police side with Governor until Big Business steps and 'donates' $300,000 via the Department of Homeland Security for an armoured vehicle. Retired marine chief raises concerns about police being turned into a 'domestic army' to control citizens.
Policeman fires into the crowd, live ammunition not rubber bullets. First Lady Olivia Pope-Grant, bringing refreshments from local slow-food vendors, was unhurt. The First Lady's bodyguards, believed to be ex-Secret Service agents, were on hand to offer First Aid to five critically injured protestors. The police officer who sparked the incident later claims he felt threatened by a protestor making faces at him. Protest organisers accuse Homeland Security of murder. Families of the injured protestors file class action injury suit against Manhattan Police Department.
Day Eight
The TMG Party start rallies around the country in support of President Langston. The supporters are immediately arrested by police under the President's emergency laws preventing the freedom of movement, assembly and association. President Langston authorises their release, faces another public backlash and fresh spate of discrimination lawsuits.
First Lady Olivia Pope makes public statement, calling for the release of her husband. To date, no results of his psyche evaluation have been released. She says the enforced separation from family and friends, as well as his incarceration in an unknown location, constitutes cruel and unusual punishment for crimes he did not commit. She adds that President Grant shows signs of anxiety and depression, and a steady decline in his physical health in their daily discussions. She reiterates that this is heartbreaking for the kids. Parent groups across the country rally behind the First Lady.
Day Nine
President Langston assures key allies around the world that she is handling a delicate domestic situation within the guidelines of the US Constitution.
The United Nations General Assembly calls an emergency special session today, after the 15 member states of the UN Security Council fail to reach agreement on action to be taken against its current chair, the United States. A surprise speaker at today's meeting was First Lady, Olivia Pope-Grant. Mrs Pope-Grant addresses the assembly on the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which the United States has ratified in such a way as to have no real impact to its domestic policies and legislation. She warns of an impending global crisis when the 'world's policeman' or 'police woman' has run amok within national boundaries - 'We have laws to protect our citizenry from Presidential power rampages, but right now those laws are being ignored. The US does not have laws to protect the world's citizenry from a US President; the only moderating influence is Congress and if President Langston isn't listening to Congress, then you have reason to worry'. After speech, the member states in Africa and South America join Russia and China's censure of the US for civil and political violations. The EU nations, including the United Kingdom, Australia and Canada abstain.
Day Ten
President Langston places First Lady Olivia Pope-Grant under house arrest.
First Lady Olivia Pope-Grant speaks to the world's media and the public via live video feeds from her home in Vermont; accuses the acting president of impeding her right to free speech – which is a violation of the First Amendment to the Constitution. Lodges citizen suit to have writ of Habeas Corpus reinstated.
Day Eleven
President Langston seeks injunction to shut down Skype, Twitter, Facebook. Social media bosses file counter suit against President Langston for tortious interference, aka intentional interference with contractual relations.
First Lady Olivia Pope-Grant unifies a global audience via social media to her cause. Protestors gather outside US embassies and consulates worldwide.
Day Twelve
President Sally Langston tries to get the Department of Homeland Security and NSA to shut down Fitzgerald 'Jerry' Grant IV twitter account, after the North Korean Leader invites Michael Jordan and Jerry to 'escape to safety' in Pyongyang on his private jet.
First Lady Olivia Pope-Grant and her stepson, Jerry Grant, have a live conference call with North Korean Leader and Michael Jordan. Television networks complain of a sharp drop in audience numbers due the unfolding real-life drama which is currently taking place on Social Media platforms. Social Media stock prices go through the roof.
Day Thirteen
President Langston declares First Lady is a 'terrorist' for conspiring with a known dictator in the Axis of Evil. Sends in army to have Mrs Pope Grant arrested under the National Defense Authorisation Act. Army, police unable to get through as thousands of people gather on Vermont estate. Media reports that public carrying more weaponry than security personnel, military-grade weapons can now be legally bought online under President Langston's ongoing de-regulation of gun safety laws.
First Lady Olivia Pope Grant mingles in the crowd to thank her supporters, while gently advising that guns make her children nervous. She recommends non-violent resistance. Crowd hands over weapons to Mrs Pope-Grant's security detail, headed by Tom Larsen. Mr Larsen assures that guns will be returned to owners when they leave the estate. Local businesses donate food, including jam, tents, blankets and port-a-loos as protestors plan to stay put until President Grant is returned to office.
Day Fourteen
President Langston accuses First Lady of inciting civil disturbance when minimum wage workers across the country stage walk-outs, to take part in a Billion Worker road trip to join Occupy Wall Street protest. Employers threaten sackings. Immediately face product boycotts from consumer groups across the world. Social Media donations page for America's beleaguered workers attract millions of dollars in minutes.
Chief of staff Cyrus Beene speaks to the gathered protestors in Manhattan, with his husband James Novak and daughter Ella, by his side. Mr Beene tells those gathered that he believes in the great American dream of power, prosperity and a good work ethic. James Novak takes over the microphone and speaks about social justice and ethical prosperity. He highlights the strides made by President Fitzgerald Grant in bridging the gap of inequity. Discussion boards erupt with observations on the lack of diversity in the Republican Party vs the abundance of inclusivity in President Grant's personal life and his inner Cabinet.
Day Fifteen
President Langston meets with Big Business to hear complaints about stalled factory production lines, scarce tourism, export boycotts and import blockades which are causing profits to haemorrhage. She assures them she is doing everything in her power to sort these issues.
First Lady reminds American people that 1% of the country may hold the majority of the nation's wealth, but the remaining 99% have its heart, its strength and its dreams, and to persist in their aims to have ALL Constitutional freedoms restored, not just the ones convenient for Big Business
Day Sixteen
President Langston is unavailable for comment as Federal Court declares Martial Law unconstitutional. US Attorney General refuses to appeal. Writs of Habeas Corpus brought before the courts are upheld. President Langston faces avalanche of compensation claims. Treasury says budget estimates didn't estimate this fiasco for current fiscal year. Senate Majority Leader Edison Davis says President Langston needs to stand down
First Lady Olivia Pope-Grant briefly celebrates her 'release' at the 'Festival of Freedom' with the thousands of uninvited guests in her backyard. She then leaves for Washington DC to lobby the government for the release of President Grant; organises press conference at Olivia Pope and Associates, for her associates, Senator Zeke and his partner to speak to the press about the ordeal of being denied 'due process of the law'.
Day Seventeen
President Langston denies links to US attorney Patrick Dent as more evidence surfaces of his involvement in the kidnapping and attempted murder of Judge Claudia Liston's grand-daughter during the injunction hearing for the Gun Safety Executive Order. It has also been revealed the Gun Alliance receives funding from several influential private citizens, including Mr Daniel-Douglas Langston, the President's husband. Sources reveal that Mr Langston is the founder of a gun club to which Mr Dent belonged.
First Lady Olivia Pope-Grant arrives at the White House; greets waiting protestors who cheer her arrival; meets with President Langston; tells waiting media that the whereabouts of her husband are still unknown; arrives at Congress, speaks to key dissenters of President Langston's current policies, including Senate Majority Leader, Senator Edison Davis.
Day Eighteen
President Langston meets behind closed doors with White House legal counsel, tries to contact key allies in the Republican Party, after evidence surfaces of Patrick Dent's pattern of violence against male lovers. Abused victims speak out. Victims say gun club a cover up for 'hook-ups' between members and their 'honorary guests'. President Langston says it's 'blasphemous' to imply that her husband is an 'abomination to the natural order of life' i.e. 'gay'
First Lady Olivia Pope-Grant flies to Roswell, New Mexico; believes President Grant is being held at a classified FBI location that has been traced via the daily phone conversations the President has with his family.
Day Nineteen
Presidential candidate, Governor Samuel Reston of Maryland speaks on the steps of Congress, adds his voice to the chorus of well-known politicians who are calling for President Langston to step down. Meanwhile, President Langston denies close ties to anti-gay lobby group Global Unity for Families. Claims evidence of generous donations, to the organisation's research and development projects, are 'fake'.
Protestors gather to keep vigil alongside First Lady Olivia Pope Grant, outside the 'secret' FBI interrogation centre in Roswell, demanding the release of President Fitzgerald Grant.
Day Twenty
Evidence released to the media that Acting President Sally Langston's funding has gone towards one specific Global Unity R&D project, developing a drug to control same-sex attraction. Global Unity believes homosexuality is an 'illness' that requires ongoing treatment. Product XY is currently being evaluated for sale, by the Centre for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER), but research-evidence reports supplied by the drug company to CDER omit one crucial aspect revealed by the tests. One of the side-effects evidenced in test subjects is a tendency towards psychopathic behaviour.
More protestors join First Lady Olivia Pope Grant in her vigil, waiting for her husband President Fitzgerald Grant to be released; Mrs Grant is gets mail from the White House, contents examined by her protective agent Tom Larsen reveal letter and a couple of USB sticks.
Day Twenty-One
President Langston steps down her 'acting' duties at the White House
President Fitzgerald Grant III is released from FBI custody
A/N: Apologies (#9726345954976) to all the constitutional, legal, business, law enforcement, intelligence (even basic intelligence, not just super spy, secret service) experts, who KNOW that this chapter could NEVER have happened the way it did. I'm happy to be corrected on how this should have happened!
My point in writing the way I did was:
1) To mix my usual over-the-top BS hypotheticals with real events that have occurred around the world and in the US (yes, Georgia did pass a law to allow concealed weapons into Church and schools; and yes, there really is a National Defense Authorisation Act which apparently says it's legal for the government to kill an American citizen on American soil with a drone).
2) Next reason: To imagine scenarios when people in power actually felt the (non-electoral) power of the people in the most powerful/influential country on earth
3) To subject the dominant group (note: dominant, not prolific, not majority) in a very simplistic fashion (!) to the effect of their own rules. Why? One of the courses I'm doing right now is called employment relations (it's about human resource and management strategies in the workplace). For one of my recent assignments, I read that employers are micro-chipping ordinary workers to keep track of their whereabouts (OMG! WTFFFFF?! Even dogs only get traced when they are lost and found. But workers – 24/7!) and I wondered how management would feel about being subjected to these same invasions of privacy/dignity. I have read a whole bunch of other stuff that has made me open up a second blog to eventually share with people. (At the moment, I'm just re-blogging stuff I can reference for assignments!).
For those of you who have asked about my Scandal Tumblr – it's SCANDAL-MANIAC (with a 'c' on the end). I had a bit too much fun with 'Paint' the first couple of days (Paint? As in PNG file, not even JPEG or GIF?) but I've curbed those kindergarten tendencies now.
You'll find this note on the blog with my reference links ;))))
BTW, there used to be a short-lived TV show called Roswell…where apparently aliens were kept in secret!