The Last of Us: Chronicles

The South American Visit

Chapter 2: The South American Visit.

Washington, D.C. - May 13, 2013, 8:00 AM

President Jordan Christopher Brown entered the Oval Office with a sense of urgency. The room, filled with its historic grandeur and iconic decor, felt like both a sanctuary and a pressure cooker. His aide, Maria, was already there, waiting with a stack of briefing papers.

"Good morning, Mr. President," she said, handing him the latest briefing on their upcoming visit to South America.

"Good morning, Maria," he replied, taking the documents and glancing through them. "Anything urgent I need to know?"

"The briefing covers your meetings with President Fernández in Argentina, the economic summit in Brazil, and your speech in Chile. Everything is on schedule, but there are some security concerns and logistical details you'll want to review."

President Brown waved his hand dismissively. "Thank you, Maria. I'll go through it. That will be all for now."

Maria nodded and left the room, closing the door quietly behind her. Brown rubbed his forehead, feeling the weight of the day ahead. The South American visit was crucial, a diplomatic effort to strengthen ties and address pressing economic and environmental issues. But the constant pressures of the presidency were taking their toll, and moments of solitude were rare.

He sat down at the Resolute Desk, a symbol of power and responsibility, and began to read through the briefing. His mind wandered momentarily to his family. He missed the simple days before the presidency when life was less complicated. With a sigh, he refocused on the task at hand, determined to make the upcoming trip a success.

Austin, TX - May 13, 2013, 7:00 AM

Joel Miller woke up to the soft glow of morning light filtering through the blinds. He stretched, feeling the familiar creak of his joints, and swung his legs out of bed. The house was quiet, a peaceful stillness that he cherished. He made his way to the kitchen, the smell of freshly brewed coffee already in the air.

He poured himself a cup, the warmth seeping into his hands as he took a sip. The rich, bitter taste was a welcome start to his day. Joel carried his mug to the living room, where the television was quietly humming in the background. He settled into his favorite armchair, flipping through the channels.

The news was filled with the usual mix of politics, weather, and human interest stories. A segment caught his eye: the President's upcoming visit to South America. Joel watched as the anchor discussed the itinerary, the potential impacts, and the significance of the trip. It seemed a world away from his own life, yet he couldn't help but feel a connection to the broader currents of the world.

He switched to an old TV show, something comforting and familiar. The characters and stories were like old friends, providing a sense of continuity and nostalgia. As he sipped his coffee, his thoughts drifted to Sarah. She had school today, and he needed to make sure she was up and ready soon.

The sound of footsteps on the stairs caught his attention. Sarah appeared, still groggy from sleep but with a smile on her face. "Morning, Dad."

"Morning, kiddo. How'd you sleep?"

"Good," she replied, yawning. "What's for breakfast?"

"How about some pancakes?" Joel suggested, setting his coffee aside and standing up.

Sarah's face lit up. "Yes, please!"

Joel chuckled and headed to the kitchen, Sarah trailing behind him. He enjoyed these moments with her, the simple routines that brought a sense of normalcy and stability. As he mixed the batter, he listened to Sarah talk about her plans for the day, her excitement infectious.