A deep voice cuts into the entire broadcasts nation wide.

“We interrupt this program with an important national announcement.

“AND NOW, live, FROM THE WHITE HOUSE and the US NAVY BAND”…

It opens with a chorus line from Cabaret and the president lip-synching:

"Money makes the world go round the world go round, the world go round".

Then with all his usual back up staged bobble-headed people behind the podium:

“Every day’s a TV sound, a TV sound, A TV sound. Just a death or two won't mind or three won’t mind. I'm the president so great’s my mind, great’s my mind.

“We've insured a baby boom, a baby boom, and all the oldies will be gone real soon, be gone real soon. No more issues with Social Security doom, with SS doom."

He bows.

With a smile he adds, “Just remember, come this November, I took no responsibility at all. It wasn’t me that caused these people to die and care less for you than for I.”

"YOU WILL APPLAUD" sign appears off screen but the camera happened to slip.

Audience in the press seats behind him claps and nods approval; his bobble heads dance their way off stage smiling

Rick always had an interest in writing, art, science and history. He studied at The Art Students League in NYC and picked up a degree in History and Asian Studies from Rutgers University.

He began writing short stories and poems about 12 years ago and has published 3 children’s books and illustrated one book of poems. He also translated the poetry for a Chinese-American poet.

Rick has been published in Aphelion-webzine.com, Orion’s Arm.com, Short-Humour.org.uk and a few stories in the anthology Flash of Aphelion and a new one in Rogue Planet Press, "Fantastacal Savannahas and Jungles" anthology

He is a business owner and a technical/engineering recruiter for working in the Washington DC metro area.

Find more by Richard Tornello in the Author Index.

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