Episode 13 - CYA (Cover Your Ass)

Episode 13 – CYA (Cover Your Ass)

FADE IN: DAYTIME – OVAL OFFICE DC

President DICK FAICE is in meeting with a top advisor HENRY in regard to recent death of fellow advisor KEVIN RALPHS. They are watching a news report on the latest crime findings on INN network.

INN REPORTER

The perpetrators in the Ralphs murder case have struck a plea deal for a charge of involuntary manslaughter that carries a lesser sentence. They have given up the name of a Trevor Williams, taken into custody on a million-dollar bond. Mr. Williams is now an ex-employee of Oil tycoon Charles White. Mr. White’s lawyers have released a statement saying that Mr. Williams is no longer an employee of the Corporation and send their condolences to the Ralphs family. The White Corporation also once employed Kevin Ralphs before his last job working as a data analyst for the president. The story put forward by the defendants was that Mr. Williams hired them to beat up, but not kill Mr. Ralphs. The murder was an accident based on Mr. Ralphs’ extreme asthma reaction during the violent altercation. The motive is not clear but in an exclusive interview with Mr. White here on INN yesterday, he denied any involvement and hinted toward a possible love triangle with his daughter Amelia as well as professional jealousies going back years that boiled over in a desperate, petty attack by hired thugs. The crime itself is still under investigation and time will tell if evidence of such a broken heart revenge scenario is true. That’s all for now, here at the Capital’s federal Court House.

FAICE

Hmmm… So you cleared all our logs of any recent meetings etc. with White – right?

HENRY

Yes sir Mr. President. Even have our people deleting security camera footage.

FAICE

I don’t want to know the details Henry! Just get it done! I have nothing to hide but better safe than sorry. White threw this Williams fellow under the bus. He was obviously planning something big that got leaked to our Kevin. We now know they are old college acquaintances and Mr. Williams did have an affair with Amelia, but I don’t ever recall Kevin mentioning Amelia in romantic terms, but it seems they did have a date set up the day after he was killed. Whatever the scenario – we lost an excellent, loyal and hyper smart advisor.

HENRY

Yes Mr. President, I concur. He will be missed. The staff are still quite upset.

FAICE

I knew White would go too far and something would backfire! I’m glad I never agreed to any particular plan. White is now a liability and our once mutually beneficial relationship is over.

HENRY

But Sir – he made the biggest donation to our first successful campaign, as well as to key Senators during the last midterms. Do you think severing the relationship is the best path forward?

FAICE

After the murder of one of my top advisors and possible scandal that may blow up and drag me into it if his machinations are ever revealed? Yes – the decision is final. We will adjust and create new and better relationships with the tech donors. They actually have more money at their fingertips than the dying fossil fuel energy sector anyway.

HENRY

That may be tricky as most of the tech industry leaders are liberals. I am not sure we can get as much…

FAICE

Let me worry about how much Henry. They may be liberals, but they are also full on capitalists and never liked the super high tax rates that they paid for decades during the Green New Deal era. Our administration brought the taxes down to the lowest they have been since the early 2000s. The way I see it – they owe us big time and I’m going to call them on it. We can’t afford to let this White mess - mess up our chances of getting back in office for another 4 years – can we?

HENRY

No Mr. President – we cannot, and I am confident you will get the resources needed to get the job done.

FAICE

Thank you, Henry, – that’s the vote of confidence and loyalty I need right now – no looking back. Onward to victory!

HENRY

Yes Mr. President – four more years!

Meanwhile – Simultaneously - CHARLES WHITE was watching the same report on INN from his house office along with new employee TODD RIVERS.

CHARLES

Seems our cover up plan is proceeding nicely. Have you wired the money to the two thugs’ overseas accounts? Did you make sure to give the love letters sent to Amelia I intercepted from Kevin Ralphs years ago to our lawyer - and the security footage of Trevor and Amelia getting it on in my kitchen?

TODD

Yes sir Mr. White, done, done and done.

CHARLES

Good. Just so you know – I don’t however feel good about throwing my own daughter under the bus along with Trevor, but my little empire is at stake, which she will inherit and benefit from regardless of whether she ever forgives me or not. She won’t be implicated anyway – I’ll make sure of it. I do love Amelia, but I also love my freedom and quality of life and will do whatever it takes to maintain them until my last breath.

TODD

Yes, I understand Sir – I would do the same if I were in your position. I’m just glad to have moved up in the ranks of the corporation and have a chance to serve its legendary leader.

CHARLES

Yes, well, use this sloppy blunder by Trevor as a lesson Todd. I know you have no addiction issues because I had you checked out before giving you the position. I only let it slide with Trevor because his deceased parents were good friends.

HENRY

I already erased all the history of recorded meetings with you and Trevor but actually discovered the last conservation with Amelia that reveals that she did not like him in the least and wanted him to buzz off or else. Would you like to listen to it before I erase it?

CHARLES

Was there anything said about me?

TODD
Only that Amelia was reluctant about taking over the family business and for Trevor not to tell you about their affair.

CHARLES

I already knew all of that and it will be after I‘m dead if at all that she runs the corporation based on what has transpired. So, no I don’t need to hear it – just delete it – ASAP. We can’t have proof that she detested Trevor floating around – would not support the love triangle narrative.

TODD

Yes Sir. Just so we are on the same page - you want me to carry on with the social media attack ads against Palenti and Jones for president, but no more contact with any militias and shady characters to disrupt the march – correct?

CHARLES

Yes, that’s correct. That’s the current playbook. The original plan is out – too risky now because of the ongoing investigation into that unthankful, righteous punk Ralphs death. We’ll help that two-faced Dick Faice win again in spite of his not returning my calls. It’s the lesser of evils – a disgruntled associate Republican as president is still much better than a Socialist in the white house.

TODD

Amen to that sir. Shall I order your lunch?

CHARLES

Yes – I will have the usual. That’s all for now.

TODD

Yes Sir.

Todd exits office.

FADE OUT: