1966

Chapter 13

Oval Office

White House

Jackie had got out of hospital but she was told to rest. While she was resting, Jack decided to work down at the Oval. The phone rang. Jack, who was stressed and worn out, picked it up reluctantly. "Hello?" He asked. "Jack..." he heard a Southerner's voice down the other end. It was Lyndon. "Hello Lyndon" Jack sat back, knowing this would be a fight, he would need to win. 

"Listen, I want to apologise. I'm sorry for doing this to you. I didn't know how much Jackie meant to you" Lyndon tried to sound sympathetic. Jack wasn't having any of it! 

"Oh listen Lyndon!" Jack said angrily. "Don't give me your shit. Of course you knew how much Jackie meant to me, she's my wife!" Jack roared this time, like a lion. He heard Lyndon laugh at the other end. "If that is the case, then why did you philander and cheat? Hmm? Because you hate her" Lyndon this time, truly was evil. 

Jack's hand trembled. He was really tempted to throw the phone down and walk away but he knew he had to finish this. He could stop nuclear war so he could definetly end a war with the VP. "What did you just say?" Jack whispered. Lyndon repeated his last sentence. "YOU SON OF A BITCH!" Jack screamed. 

Lyndon was in his hospital bed laughing. "Jack, of course you hate her" Lyndon tried to convince him. "If I hated her, why did I marry her?" Jack smiled as he dissed Lyndon. On the other end, the VP got so angry over such a small amount of words. He threw the phone down. Jack laughed. One part of the argument done. 

Yellow Oval Room

When he returned to the Residence, Jack explained everything and told Jackie what Lyndon said wasn't true. Suddenly a news bulletin came across the TV. 

This is a special bulletin from CBS News. We got live to Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas, Texas. Where the Vice President Johnson is being hospitalized. He wishes to give a special announcement to the nation. 

Jack sat back. His hands covering his face. "Oh shit" he whispered. Jackie cuddled him. "Let's just wait to see what Lyndon has to say" Jackie assured him. Jack agreed. 

"Hello good American people. I have done some terrible deeds in my life and now I have come to my senses that I wish and deserve to be punished". Jack was stunned! Lyndon was actually saying that?! "Therefore, I shall resign the Vice Presidency, affective at noon tomorrow. When asked whom my successor shall be, I wish, with the President's permission, to appoint his brother Senator Edward Kennedy". 

"Teddy?" Jackie asked. Jack shushed her. He was desperate to hear this. "I understand his brother Robert is comfortable as the Attorney General and probably wants to leave politics, not take a higher position in the business. I appoint Senator Kennedy as my successor. Thank you". The programme that Jackie was watching came back on. 

They sat for a few minutes in silence, trying to take in what Lyndon had just said. Suddenly Jack rushed to the phone. He called Bobby and Teddy and told them the same message: "Meet me in the Oval!".