27-02-2004, 09:44
"...after being trapped for approximately 7 weeks under the rubble. In the capital today, demonstrations continued at the election result. With key states still in the balance, activist groups on both sides of the political divide are crying foul about alleged irregularities in the voting procedure. A press conference has been scheduled for 10PM, at which time we hope to provide more news on this issue."
As the CNN anchor moved onto the next story, the man sank back in his chair and took a long drag from his cigarette. More election violence was hardly unexpected, after all, this had been the tightest contest in anyone's lifetime. Reason would prevail as it always had. A sudden change in the tone of the anchor made him sit up and take notice.
"Ladies and gentlemen, we have just received disturbing news. Tanks have been sighted outside the White House and Capitol building. It appears that a coup of some kind is underway. We will stay with this story until it becomes clearer what is going on...what?...OK, we'll throw to it now...the Majority Leader is apparently addressing the media at the Capitol now, so we'll cross live and pick up his address."
The screen changed to the Capitol, seat of so much of American political power. The Majority Leader, Senator de Lay, was standing on the steps to the building and addressing a small crowd of reporters. He was clearly pleased with the situation.
"My fellow Americans, today marks the beginning of a new era. The Supreme Court has just announced that it will hear no more challenges to the vote counting in Florida. We therefore declare the Republican candidate, Governor Bush, the President of the United States. The tanks and military personnel you see alongside me are merely here to prevent our democratically elected President from any harm. They will not be turned on freedom-loving Americans. The new President will be sworn in tomorrow. He and his Administration will answer questions at that time. Thank you."
The man switched his television off in a state of shock. A coup! Here in America! Well, maybe it would still sort itself out. He could only hope and pray that it would.
As the CNN anchor moved onto the next story, the man sank back in his chair and took a long drag from his cigarette. More election violence was hardly unexpected, after all, this had been the tightest contest in anyone's lifetime. Reason would prevail as it always had. A sudden change in the tone of the anchor made him sit up and take notice.
"Ladies and gentlemen, we have just received disturbing news. Tanks have been sighted outside the White House and Capitol building. It appears that a coup of some kind is underway. We will stay with this story until it becomes clearer what is going on...what?...OK, we'll throw to it now...the Majority Leader is apparently addressing the media at the Capitol now, so we'll cross live and pick up his address."
The screen changed to the Capitol, seat of so much of American political power. The Majority Leader, Senator de Lay, was standing on the steps to the building and addressing a small crowd of reporters. He was clearly pleased with the situation.
"My fellow Americans, today marks the beginning of a new era. The Supreme Court has just announced that it will hear no more challenges to the vote counting in Florida. We therefore declare the Republican candidate, Governor Bush, the President of the United States. The tanks and military personnel you see alongside me are merely here to prevent our democratically elected President from any harm. They will not be turned on freedom-loving Americans. The new President will be sworn in tomorrow. He and his Administration will answer questions at that time. Thank you."
The man switched his television off in a state of shock. A coup! Here in America! Well, maybe it would still sort itself out. He could only hope and pray that it would.