Everyone, including the president, is seated inside of the Situation Room with the exception of Maria Sterling. Anxiety has the upper hand on several of the faces around the table. The president doesn’t normally call for “must-attend” meetings.
A Secret Service agent escorts Sterling in five minutes after the hour. “I’m sorry I’m late, sir,” she says to the president. “My apologies to you all. An important phone call.” Maria looks like she didn’t get a moment’s sleep last night, the president notes.
“Well now, with everyone here, let’s begin,” says President Egan, steeling himself for what he will say next. “In front of each one of you are reports detailing an accumulation of factual information which has caused me to reach the decision I’ve made. I suggest you take ten to fifteen minutes to read your file and then we’ll discuss what I am about to do. When this meeting adjourns you’ll leave the material right where you found it. The reports will be shredded by the Secret Service.”
The president, deep in thought at first, finds himself scrutinizing each face around the table, taking mental notes on what he suspects each person is thinking. And watching the clock.
At the end of the fifteen minutes, he states, “As president of the United States of America, I am going to prepare this country for a war which appears imminent with Iran.” He pauses, then adds, “I’d like your comments.”
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