EPISODE 3 – DC-USA, 2068
FADE IN:
EXT: WHITE HOUSE & CONGRESSIONAL OFFICES in DC – DAY
A sunny day in the nation’s capital – Bird’s eye camera loops around White House and then closes in on one of the Congressional buildings windows –
INT: DAY – OFFICE - of 2 term Progressive Party Senator and presidential hopeful LATEESHA JONES, a mixed race (Black & Mexican), handicapped, gender fluid a-sexual, devout Christian/Buddhist/Taoist - is having a meeting with two trusted, key members of her staff JOHN & NANCY. A lobbyist BRAD representing the Fossil Fuel industry will shortly join them.
JONES
I really appreciate the amazing effort you two have made along with the rest of the team in these last few months. Juggling our day-to-day government business along with the busy campaign schedule has been very challenging to say the least!
JOHN
Yes, yes it has Senator, but you know Nancy and I are both adrenaline junkies and I think I can speak for both of us saying we truly believe you are the best and necessary choice to be the next president of the United States.
NANCY
Yes and especially at this critical time where all the progress our country made over decades has been almost completely undone during just one term of this horrendous reality TV star president! You know We got Chu’ Senator Jones! (High fives)
JONES
Yes we have been through a lot of stuff together over the years and you two are my trusted eyes and ears in this crazy town. So why do we have a meeting set up with a lobbyist from the Petrol industry – basically the enemy?
JOHN
Exactly – you know the old expression ‘keep your friends close and your enemies closer’? Well this is one of those type meetings.
NANCY
We will do the old good cop/bad cop where you of course play yourself – the Senator known on record to despise the petrol industry and everything it represents and we will play the naïve assistants who believe all the bs he will try to sell us so…
JONES
So he slips and gives us some important info about the evil oil guys’ agenda we don’t already know – yeah, I get the playbook. Very good – he will be here soon. In the meanwhile lets go over the protocol for the CRD DC gathering in September.
JOHN
Well everything is in place but of course the devil is in the details. We are still trying to get the famous poet Tito Williamson and the world musician G-Clef to confirm…
NANCY
And two-term president Baurmeister as a speaker at the endorsement reception after the event is a go. Her people just confirmed this morning. And the caterers were told to have vegan and gluten free options at the buffet…
JONES
Excellent, and what about the order of speakers – should we have Mr. Palenti end the engagement or kick it off?
NANCY
I think you should end it as we discussed before, because bottom line, this march and the reception is really about getting you elected president. Otherwise nothing changes.
JOHN
We should just keep the reception speeches short and sweet because after the long march and with the day’s many speeches and performances in front of the Lincoln Memorial, people are going to be fatigued.
JONES
Agreed – but this march is not just about me. It’s American citizens’ rejection of the unconstitutional infringements on their rights and freedoms through the Draconian legislation passed by this corporate puppet administration.
NANCY
True Dat’ Sister Friend! (High fives – Door Knock Sounds – John opens door)
PETROL LOBBYIST - BRAD - ENTERS:
BRAD
Good Afternoon Senator Jones – hello John annnnnnd Nancy – right?
JONES
Yes that’s correct. Look, I don’t mince words so what brings you here Brad? You represent whom exactly?
BRAD
Yes Senator, I know you from some of your impassioned speeches on the floor. You definitely mean what you say and say what you mean! I represent the Fossil Fuel Industry, the FFI, a consortium of several of the biggest petrol and coal companies still left and as you know fossil fuels still supply around 35% of our nations energy needs, up 10% since President Faice took office.
JONES
Brad – you know I know all this, so please get to the point. The recent 10% rise in the use of fossil fuels has a direct correlation to the great flood events and the current tent city crisis with 25 million plus homeless citizens.
BRAD
Well Senator, the debate is still out on exactly how and why the flood event occurred… (Cut off)
JONES
When 99% of the best climate scientists in the world working with AI super computers all agree on the data – the debate was over long ago. I suggest you get to the reason why you’re here because I feel my patience is wearing thin.
BRAD
Yes, well um… Our organization is prepared to assist you in your bid for the presidency. As you know we actually donate to all the top runners in all parties, because we believe we can find common ground with any candidate. After all, we all want what’s best for America. Our recent increase in fossil fuel production has created 20,000 good paying jobs so far and…
JOHN
This is true Senator. And they do donate to every top candidate from all parties. Obviously to cover their asses to have some influence over whoever wins the elections – am I wrong Brad?
BRAD
I would not say it like you just did but yes – we like spread our chips across the table because of the fickle nature of the American electorate. Hard to tell who will win since elections have been so close, for so long now.
NANCY
You mentioned on the phone that you would be willing to pay for all the media advertising? That’s a lot of money and is only legal again because of the current administration’s weakening of the State Sponsored Election Act of 2031.
BRAD
Oh yes – and even more behind the scenes support if you want – cold calling centers and paid door to door “volunteers” (does hand quotes in air). Whatever you need – we are here for you!
JONES
That’s what concerns me Brad – why are you “here for me”? (Does quote hands sarcastically) I am totally anti-fossil fuel industry as my 25-year voting record clearly demonstrates.
BRAD
Yes – we know that but as you and your team know every election is won by razor thin margins and so every vote counts. Commercials during prime time VR TV and side panel ads in all the social media outlets do make a difference. Decades of scientific research have proven the power of repeated advertising on the general public’s decision-making process. And as you know this media saturation costs a fortune nowadays. And as you are famous for your grass roots campaign financing, accepting no donations from corporate interests – we know that you could use some extra resources to work with being these are very hard economic times for your strapped middle class base donors, many of whom live in the tent cities.
NANCY
That is all true Senator and we really could use more resources and media saturation based on the relaxed election laws.
JONES
Okay Brad – let’s say I did agree to accept donations from your organization – what is the quid pro quo Faustian bargain?
BRAD
Well, ha, um – Senator, of course we would not expect anything from you but would only hope that your administration would allow us to continue and even expand our fossil fuel production to create more jobs, for our country’s energy independence and national security.
JONES
I expected that – what else Brad?
BRAD
Well, uh since you are being receptive, some companies in our consortium are planning to advance some of the Geo-engineering solutions to Global Warming that were banned decades ago but seem relevant again based on the current crisis, with the recent temperature increases and return of constant extreme weather events.
JONES
Hmmm… anything else Brad?
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