ACT I
Scene 1
Paris, A courtyard
MACKENZIE
Pray tell, what's the affair that brought them here?
Have you had word what might their business be?
VINCE
I swear, no single breath has reached my ears
Of what made them the spacious ocean cross.
In fact, no word was spoken ever since
We reached these shores, that might have said they'll come.
MACKENZIE
I do suppose I'll have to go and see.
Enters alley
JIM
We felt the need to tell you to the face
The dreadful news we were sent here to share.
MELANIE
Like a mute army it has crept 'pon us,
No way was there we could have known of it.
Enter Rod
ROD
Can this conversation now be safely joined?
JIM
We beg another minute for ourselves.
MACKENZIE
Do bear in mind that he's my Chief of Staff.
The President has suffered from a stroke.
ROD
Have we learned of the disease's full extent?
MACKENZIE
From what I heard the damage is extreme.
Like lightening has it thrown him to the ground.
Say, Jim, when will we hear of how he fares?
JIM
Two times the hourglass should be turned, or three.
From what it seems, the doctors will succeed.
MELANIE
Just don't let it escape your memory
That what we talk of here with ease and jest
Lies heavily on poorest Bridges' chest.
For months will he not be his former self,
And full recovery is far from sure.
JIM
As I learned from the doctor's words so far,
No warning's ever given 'till too late.
When then it breaks within the head with force,
Alas, the same will soon be split with pain.
The eyes, they said, betray their master's mind,
As will the brain, and memories will fade.
With sufferings like mentioned here, I fear
That President he can no longer be.
MELANIE
T'would be a case for the Amendment 25;
And as Vice President your chance to strive
To finish what he had begun before.
MACKENZIE
So tell me, Melanie, what happens now?
Is it my turn to speak the oath's words,
Or have you something else in mind for me?
JIM
Madam, with pain I break the news to you
That this was not what we came here to say.
Our message was to ask you to step down.
MELANIE
You see, your resignation, it would mean
That Nathan Templeton would now be free
To –
MACKENZIE
Just hold your tongues whilst I make sense of this.
Of his succession am I well aware,
What flees my mind is my advantage, though.
What strange, deprivèd forces made you think
That him in office's what I want to see?
JIM
Your need for freedom is too strong for us:
Of neither party can you claim support.
In times of trouble, as we have them now,
The State should be the task of one of ours'.
ROD
Good Sir, grant me a moment's pause of speech.
Back then, when times were still well as they should,
It was agreed, as I recall quite well,
That Mackenzie's the one to follow suit.
MACKENZIE
What makes me wonder, mind, is this:
Is this the message as received from him?
JIM
All words were spoken in his own intent.
MACKENZIE
And still, the sense of it escapeth me.
Have you been told so by him face to face?
MELANIE
As you might see, the words we spoke were few.
The time was short, and help he needed fast.
JIM
The thing is, Madam, as you no doubt see,
That now, with peace at stake in the whole world,
While many states regard us as a foe,
'Tis highly unwise to present to them –
MACKENZIE
A woman, say you, that cannot decide,
And will in all things show her weakest side –
Whilst on the other side is Templeton,
Who, as we know, would set all Hell a-foot.
JIM
And yet, Madam, I must insist that you
Will test your conscience in this case and -
MACKENZIE
I fear what you forget, my man, is this:
That your insistence on my ways is naught,
And that suggesting how to take my drink
From you side would be well above your place.
That said, how shall I then proceed from here?
What law or wording's there that I could cite?
ROD
Hold on and think: they cannot ask you this!
JIM
The best approach would be the truth, methinks.
Claim that your morals would never allow
For you to follow the path that he chose.
MACKENZIE
'pon which, as you would surely like to see,
I'd ban my life to paper with a quill,
For all to see and yet for none to care.
JIM
One hour 'till we can be up in the air.
MACKENZIE
I see. Well, once we will have left the ground
The Chairman is who's ear I first will seek.
JIM
Of the Joint Chiefs … Madam!?
MACKENZIE
Your ears are good, indeed that is the one.
Scene 2
Air Force 2
ROD
I hear the call has been set up for you.
MACKENZIE
Have you heard news from hospital as well?
ROD
They're still at work, but one hears hopes are high.
MACKENZIE
And yet I see the public does not know.
ROD
One must admit the lid is excellent.
The press has not yet heard a word of it.
Pray look at this; I had some files sent here.
MACKENZIE
I will, I swear, it's just my mind's so full.
It pains me that there's no commitment from the French.
We'll have to wait for other days to come.
ROD
Don't get me wrong, I feel your pain, I do.
Was it not me who saw you work at this?
I know how close 'tis to your heart, and yet
I think, I fear! you saw right from the start
That you will get no help in this from them.
And I must warn that if you take the oath
This cannot be what first comes to your mind.
MACKENZIE
You know that if indeed I take the oath
Her life will be much shorter than we thought.
Into her execution they will rush;
Oria's life will end under my watch.
ROD
But think –
MACKENZIE
I've thought enough!
Have you not heard how death will come to her?
Up to her neck they'll bury her in sand;
And torture her 'till a stone brings her end.
Should this the first thing be while I'm in charge?
What of the twins; are they on their way home?
ROD
The Secret Service has them underway.
Enter Jim
JIM
Madam, the Chiefs await you on line three.
MACKENZIE
Good soldier, show me where our carriers are.
And you, good General, I bid good-day!
Quick, tell, have you heard of the evil fate
That's gripped the life of our President?
GENERAL
I hate to say that I'm aware of it.
Have you had any news of how he fares?
MACKENZIE
We pray for him and hope the best, but still –
Should trouble show its ugly head to us
Or should his pitiful fate leak too soon,
I wish to heighten our land's defense.
And also, I'd like to keep our ships alert,
For one might never know when it's too late.
GENERAL
Madam, doubt not that I shall get it done.
JIM
Wha - ? May I ask what you intend through this?
MACKENZIE
And let our ships sail to where trouble waits.
From what I see, the Truman's in the Med.
GENERAL
She met with other nations' sailing men
To hold a peaceful manoeuvre this week.
MACKENZIE
Tell them how deeply we regret, good man,
And if they ask, we need her somewhere else.
Tell me, though, do our ships have rescue teams?
GENERAL
The finest one's aboard the Tarawa.
MACKENZIE
I thank you for your labour, General,
And shall now leave you to your numerous deeds.
JIM
Do tell though: what should I to Bridges say
When he awakes and finds the ships alert?
MACKENZIE
My feeling tells me he won't have to ask.
I'm sure a man as great as him will know.
Scene 3
An airport in D.C.
VINCE
Ma'am, bear in mind the notes that Kelly wrote,
We still need to look over them and talk.
MACKENZIE
Just hand them here, and I shall see them through.
VINCE
And I beg you not to take your eyes off …
They walk away
JIM
I hope you do not dwell in idle thoughts
That this might have any long-term effect.
ROD
I don't think I can make much sense of this.
JIM
It may well be that this is her farewell,
What do I know? But what she did up there
When she arranged the troops just as she liked
I was reminded of a coup d'état!
ROD
I'm well aware what you are going through,
That times are harsh, and fear is great, I'm sure.
But be reminded that your choice of words
Should be more careful than it ever was.
JIM
She never was on our side, was she?
And neither on the other, I recall.
It's best for everyone if she steps down.
And even better if she does it now!
ROD
What you forget is what I'm here to do:
To keep Mac's interests at heart, mind you,
Just as the state's, which here, I think, are one.
Scene 4
Vice President's Residence, kitchen
HORACE
It has been written down in ages old
That his successor should be you; it's law!
MACKENZIE
You see, I wish it were as short as that.
But in this world, no one is satisfied
Until the rules are sealed to them as well.
HORACE
And will you see the President himself?
ROD
When it seems right and he feels fit to speak.
MACKENZIE
My dear, no need to tell me what you think.
REBECCA
I never meant to worry you, I swear.
And never shall I be but dutiful.
MACKENZIE
Don't blindly follow duty's call, my child.
I won't ask to pretend what you don't feel.
REBECCA
If that be how you feel, I'll voice my thoughts:
At first, the people were by Bridges told
What he believes and strives to do for them.
It's this that they gave to their voice, to him.
HORACE
And what you mean to say by this, I'm sure
Is that they chose what you believe as well.
REBECCA
What I intend to say by it comes here:
The people chose what they thought best for them,
And if that best you cannot give, I fear
That best you should refuse the oath to give.
MACKENZIE
And you, my youngest, what's your thought in this?
AMY
Oh say, will your face join the well-known ones
That please the eye on paper-money's sides?
MACKENZIE
I think I am afraid to say, my love
That each bill is well gracèd with a face.
But if I work the hardest that I can,
The chance exists a new one might be made.
Enter Vince
VINCE
The staff's assembled and awaits your call.
MACKENZIE
Just do remember that no one may know
Of what we spoke in here, no one may hear.
Let us then go and talk it out, dear friends.
Scene 5
A study
STAFFER
The first thing that should meet our eyes right now
Is to make sure our country's safe tonight.
ANOTHER STAFFER
What I have thought about – please hear me out! –
Is if the Speaker should have been informed?
ROD
That is the worst thing we could do, by Jove!
What does however need our minds' attend
Is how we bring Nigeria to an end.
STAFFER
For if indeed you take the oath, Madame,
There is no right, 'twill all be wrong, you'll see.
If you proceed to save her life that's doomed,
All the lands might is used to save just her.
ANOTHER STAFFER
But if you don't, her life comes to an end
The likes of which I wish I would not know.
Enter Rebecca and Amy
Rod takes a phone call
REBECCA
We wish to give our greetings for the night.
MACKENZIE
Good night, and may the angels give you rest.
ROD
Be in my heart whilst in sleep's arms you dwell.
AMY
My heart's full of my love for you, good night!
Exit Rebecca and Amy
MACKENZIE
I want to see to it with my own eyes
That we won't have to fear for harm tonight.
ROD
The President's awake, he asks for you.
