Madam President ✓

8. Madam President

Tanya

"Madam President, I need you to come with me now." Agent Wei holds out a hand for me to shake. I stare into space, frozen, knowing that I cannot possibly save this country. Hell, I know nothing about how the White House works behind the scenes.

I take a single deep breath, trying to steady myself while thirty different people stare. I will be stuck with this job until I can appoint a Vice President with more experience.... Which'll probably be a while given that half of the qualified people are dead and the others have said they're done with politics forever.

  "Okay." I finally nod my head and glance sideways. "My daughter?"

  "Will be taken to the residence where she'll be under twenty-four seven protection." Agent Wei repeats- trying to be patient while the shock is still fresh in my mind as we speed walk down the long hallway leading to an elevator with "RESTRICTED" on a giant sign above it.

"And my staff?" I ask.

  "They're already here but they're going through security right now so it should be approximately five minutes before-"

  "Tanya?" A familiar voice calls my name. "Tanya?"

  This time my sigh is out of relief from knowing she's alive. I turn around, and see my communications director in a sitting area, peeking her head around the corners trying to find me.

  I go to her. Agent Wei pinches her own arm hard, frustrated.

  "Melissa-" Before I have a chance to get the next sentence out, she throws her arms around me. Agent Wei steps forward. I wave her off. Melissa would not hurt me even if she wanted to- which is pretty often. "Where are Carlos and Walter?"

  "Carlos's watch set off the metal detector and Walter's earring did too. They're just getting an extra pat down and everything but their clothes confiscated."

  "Ahh, the joys of trying to get into the White House." I sarcastically mumble. "Melissa.... Do you know?"

  "Know what?" She raises an eyebrow, confused. "Nobody could've missed the bombing. My cousin in Bristol said he heard both of them."

  "Yeah I figured that but.... I am the only known survivor."

  Her eyes widen. "So wh... what.... What are you saying?"

  "I am the president of the United States."

  She leans against the wall, taking this new information in and shaking her head. "If.... If you're the president of the United States that means.... that means the entire presidential line of succession and all of congress is presumed dead which.....essentially made you the acting speaker of the house... which put you in the line of succession?"

  "Correct." I nod. "Melissa... what is that?"

  My line of sight falls over the two ID lanyards around her neck.

  "Oh, they acted like they weren't sure which one to give me so they just did both: A guest ID and a staff ID. I should've known with that last one I'm... I'm sorry Madam President."

  "No-" I shake my head. "Don't call me that. This place could use a little normality. Speaking of staff I'd like to talk to you guys together-"

  "Melissa holy shit I thought they were gonna arrest us both just for wearing jewelry-" Carlos says, catching up to her with Walter trailing behind. "Madam President.... I am so sorry I didn't-"