What every President knows

The Briefing

"I don't want to be President." Steven rubbed his left arm.
He was the President's son and rightful heir to the Presidency.
"You don't have a choice. The people need order and a President."
his Secretary of State explained.

"The people just tore my dad to shreds. There's a mob out there
crying for my blood and an end to the Presidency.
What can I do?" Steven poured some bourbon.
"Believe in your authority. The military is with you." the
Secretary of State, Kaia, put her cell phone to her lips,
"The President is coming out on the balcony to speak."

"THE BALCONY! Are you nuts!
I am not!" Steven took a swallow and walk away.

The secret service dragged him to the balcony doors.
"No!" Steven shouted and pushed back..
"You must." Kaia replied and commanded the secret service
to toss the President onto the balcony.
He stumbled to his feet grasping the standing microphone.

There was sporadic gun fire, between the military and the people.
"My people!" Steven began and then ducked the shots fired at him.
"My people." he continued from a crouching position.
"I will set you free. I will redistribute the wealth.
I will give you a living wage." Steven tossed back a grenade that
had landed on the balcony.

"I am not like my father! I will abolish slavery."
Steven hesitated as the gun fire slowed.
"You have the right to free education and health care.
I will fight for you. .. But, you must go back to your
camps or I will not be able to spare you."
Steven took a breath and looked up at the helicopter gunships.

There was a moment of silence and then the helicopters open fire
on the rioters. Steven peered nervously over the railing.
The uprising was over. Camera men ran out onto the balcony
to record the heroic President's inaugural speech.
Steven stood stiff backed gripping his microphone and
bellowed, "I will make America great again!"

The was no applause.