One Small Victory

One Small Victory

“We interrupt this broadcast. President Jason Murphy has been seriously wounded. Police have a suspect in custody. His wife, Patricia, accompanied her husband on this campaign trip to Utah, where he has been gathering strength for a second term as President. We will interrupt this program as this story unfolds.” The most important part of the entire deception was that President Jason Murphy was in critical condition. The Vice President Madeline Concha was rushed to Air Force One from her speaking engagement. There, everyone awaited the outcome of the surgery taking place at the University of Utah Medical Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. Pat Murphy took Madeline Concha’s hand in hers as she began: “Jason had a contingency plan, Madeline; you are now President of the United States. Judge Mildred Martin will swear you in; she was the only judge available on such short notice. Jason is going to survive, at least that is what the doctors are telling me. He is paralyzed from the waist down; his words are slurred, however his mind is working well. You'll be his eyes and ears and his spokesperson. This information can not be disclosed.” Madeline, her eyes filling with tears, did understand. Jason Murphy knew there would be assassination attempts; he was not a popular man. He was involved in a war he did not want to fight, the economy was in a downward spiral, and food prices were out of sight. He was doing his best, but he knew these things could happen. He took Pat into his confidence the moment he was elected, and then Madeline Concha, his newly elected Vice President. “Mrs. Murphy, Judge Martin has arrived and is ready to swear Miss Concha in. Madeline Concha stood up, her legs barely able to support her as Pat Murphy, tears streaming down her face, prayed that Jason would make it out of surgery alive. Pat Murphy then went into her private area of the plane, and she returned with the family bible. Madeline Concha, placed her right hand on the bible as Judge Martin began: “Please repeat after me: “I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United and will do to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.” Just as the swearing in ceremony was finishing, Pat Murphy’s cell phone chimed, the voice at the other end informed her Jason Murphy had come through the surgery, he was paralyzed was from waist down, his speech pattern was difficult to understand but he was alive. Edgewood Clinic in the foot hills of North Dakota seemed to be the closest facility. Security needed to be heightened, before the president was brought there. Pat Murphy, her eyes red, her red hair in disarray, entered Air Force One and later in the afternoon; a bronze coffin covered with the American flag that covered the bronze casket. Thomas J. Murphy, Jason’s younger brother took Pat’s hand as they disembarked from Air Force One. Madeline Concha, President of the United States had an armed escort of Marines as she turned her tear stained eyes toward the camera. Pat Murphy strode into the White House, it seemed so lonely without Jason, she was coping as best as she could, she had to spend the rest of her life living with deception. She thought of Jason, laying in the hospital bed hooked of to machines, possibly for the rest of his life. She, sat alone in the Lincoln bedroom, history taught her that Abraham Lincoln was the greatest president the country had ever known. She considered, how she was going to return to Edgewood Clinic, she wanted to be there when Jason woke from the induced coma he was in. She called the hospital in Utah, Jason Hightower she was told; was recovering nicely and was expected to leave the hospital for Edgewood Clinic in a few days. Pat, smiled finally Jason would begin rehabilitation; the doctors thought a full recovery was now possible. President Madeline Concha, sat quietly, contemplating the news that Pat Murphy had excitedly informed her, that Jason Murphy was on his way to Edgewood Clinic where he would undergo speech therapy, and physical therapy, although he was paralyzed from the waist down, he survived, Madeline knew she would remain President, but that Jason would be advising her. She felt as if she were a wooden puppet on a string. Thoughts flew around in Madeline’s head for several moments, when the red phone rang; she knew it was Russian President Karmanov, what could he possibly want? The red phone was used in time of emergency only. She picked up the phone:

“Hello President Karmanov, how can I help you?”

“The Iranians are bombing all ships in Straight of Hormuz, including Russian ships. They must be stopped!”

“I know our countries have been bitter enemies, but if the United States does not help us,

the oil in both our countries will be gone within months. It is in the best interest of

our countries, to work together.” Madeline’s eyes grew larger, this was her first crisis, she began by saying:

“President Karmanov, I will do my best. I will order part of our aircraft carrier group to the straight, we’ll bomb them quickly.” Her mind began to fly in several directions. She had the authority to bomb Iran, that had been in place when Jason Murphy was still president:

“President Karmanov, I will order the bombing of Iran, the Israelis will participate in the bombings. The Iranians must be stopped at all costs. I need your assurance that Russia will not aid Iran.”

“I will not allow that to happen President Concha. We must defeat them now.” Later the afternoon of the 15th; Madeline Concha called Jason Murphy, praying he was coherent:

“President Murphy, President Karmanov called on the hotline, apparently the Iranians attacked two of their oil container ships. I plan to bomb Tehran, and several other cities. Do you think that will suffice?” Michael Murphy cleared his throat:

“That should be effective and will suffice for the moment. Are the Russians willing to give us aid in stopping Iran?” Madeline thought for a moment:

“Yes, I believe so.”

President Murphy simply replied:

“Bomb them.” President Madeline Concha ordered the bombings to begin. Michael Murphy attained a small victory, he had a long road back to recovery, he knew now he was going to make it. Tears streamed down his face, as he realized he had been blessed, that he was alive. Pat Murphy, sitting next to Michael, smiled; he was asleep, she knew he was going to make it. He returned to office a year later, with Madeline Concha as Vice President again.