The Vances Stumble F3
The Earth Tilts
Part 3
The Unthinkable happens.
The final chapter in a fantasy series about a few days that immediately follow the worst time in American history. And we wrap it up with some superior guitar work.
In Part 1: We lost 47
In Part 2: Usha took charge
The meeting with Pope Leo did not go well. President Vance had hoped to cozy up to his eminence and regain the support of Catholics back home - and around the world. Even he admitted that lecturing the Pope on theology was probably not a good idea.
Pope Leo greeted JD with his usual courtesy. But there was a coolness in the room. Regardless, 48 was optimistic - briefly.
Until Leo asked JD:
”Have you come to confess your sins, my son? Have come to ask God for forgiveness in supporting genocide in several countries? Are you here to confess and admit to protecting a pedophile to achieve your political ambitions?”
JD:
”No sir. I just thought we could start fresh, clean slate our relationship. My wife thinks we could be friends based on our mutual admiration of St. Augustine. We could explore some aspects of his life together. Then we would have a hand shake photo op. What do you think?”
Leo:
“I think…you are destined for a fiery for Hell reserved for those who callously murder and betray the word of the Lord. You just don’t get it, son. Ambition has become your master. Your ego has killed what little goodness your Maw Maw had instilled in you.”
He continued:
“I am consulting a council of Cardinals as to whether you shall be excommunicated due to your multiple sins. We will notify you tomorrow.”
The press and photographers were dismissed with a “no comment until tomorrow”.
JD was shocked and furious.
“Tell the pilot and flight crew to prepare for takeoff. Take us to India, now!”
India had been Usha’s idea (of course). JD had established some minimal ties to Pakistan’s diplomats during the Iran Debacle. While his efforts to broker a deal for the US during 47’s chaotic campaign of “civilization bombing” had yielded little, he knew some names. And now that he was president, he was ready to compete for that Nobel Peace Prize that has eluded his predecessor.
India and Pakistan were moments away from launching nuclear missiles at each other. Forever, Modi and his ilk had persecuted Muslims. Pakistan had had enough. The rhetoric was so hot and terrifying that even an effort by a young, naive and arrogant US President was welcomed.
But it was not to occur. Air Force One, a generally regarded superior aircraft, went down in the mountains of the Hindu Kush. Residents in Chitral Town saw an explosion near Tirich Mir. It was too early to determine what caused the crash. But the event was so important and disturbing, that adversaries in the region halted hostilities for now…
The irony of causing a ceasefire in this manner was not lost on the press punditry.
JD was hanging upside down in a tree - his parachute entangled in its branches. Usha looked up from below with amusement. She had guided herself to an open area and dropped to the ground like a well trained Army Ranger while JD had been kicking and screaming in terror - convinced he was about to die. He would not. Usha yelled up to him: “Take the knife and cut yourself free! Focus, Grasshopper, Focus!”
The assumption by all was that the Vances had died in the fireball that was once Air Force One. How could anyone survive such a crash?
President Vance had nominated Peter Thiel to be his VP. But the idea was so polarizing that his nomination had languished and had been stalled for weeks.
There was no Vice President of the United States. The Constitution spoke clearly about what would happen next.
The Speaker of the House of Representatives would assume the presidency. Upon confirmation that President Vance must be dead, Melanie Stansbury of New Mexico became the 49th President of the United States. In the back rooms, even many Republicans were relieved. 47 had been a tough boss. But 48 had promised to be simply unbearable. There was a collective international “Phew”.
Stansbury had won a hard fought battle to become the Democratic Party’s standard bearer. It was her forthright and powerful speaking skills that set her apart.
Democrats were ready to assert themselves with impact. They realized they needed the right people to deliver the fresh messages of their revitalized and more powerful party. Articulate people to present their agenda to Americans who were aching for new and sensible ideas.
49’s pick for VP was a done deal in a day. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear was sworn in before the New Year. Melanie was firm in her beliefs and policies. But she also saw the wisdom of regional balance and the value of a Democrat who could gain the confidence of the people in a red state. He would be key to explaining the practical programs she would present to Congress and all of America. All.
As Usha and JD battled their way through the Kush, she was acutely aware that they could be walking into Pakistan or India. JD’s careless off the cuff remarks about Muslims recently had soured Pakistan’s population on him. She would feel safer finding their way to her ancestral home. She marveled at how he could alienate so many different people at the same time. Perhaps 47’s influence could be purged over time.
Then they got lucky, again.
A very old but fit looking man appeared before them. “Greetings. You are like birds from the heavens! You must be here for a reason. First, water. Then a bite of naan. Don’t talk. Save your energy. We have a long walk ahead of us.”
The building and the grounds were simple. Very old, yet well maintained. It was said that this was where Jesus spent the “lost years”. Where he embraced Sanatana Dharma in ways that illuminate the true universal nature of his mission. Jesus went to India during his mysterious teenage years and beyond, where he mastered yoga and Vedic wisdom.
JD Vance was nothing if he wasn’t flexible. He had been called a chamaeleon. Born in Ohio, he pretended to be a “hillbilly”, had multiple name changes, switched political thinking to what would help him gain power. And he had morphed from an Evangelical to an Atheist to a Catholic with ease. Perhaps it was time to change again. Perhaps this near death experience was a message to embrace a new life.
Usah broke the ice on the subject as they sat calmly - far away from everything they had known. “Maybe we should find a new path? Pope Leo has cast you out of your church. Most of America doesn’t like us. We have made some mistakes, JD. We have let our lust for power and importance control us. What if we just let it go? The world thinks we died. What if we were reborn? You could study and become a maharshi!”
Usha managed to send for the kids. The story was that her parents were moving back to India to raise them with extended family. The Vance name would be a stigma in America for generations. The kids were thrilled to be greeted by the Mom and Dad they thought had perished.
Peter Thiel promised not to spill the beans. He converted his wealth to crypto and rupees, establishing his businesses in a country that welcomed his wealth. India didn’t care about the charges being sought by the new DOJ. He set up the Vances with enough resources to establish new identities. He never spoke with them again.
JD grew out his hair. His mentor had taught him how to use bronzer. He professed to be a dharma seeking wise man. People came to visit. Just to sit with the man who had come from the sky. Finally, he had found respect. He took a deep breath. Ooommm.
”Being liked is better than being a president. For sure. Thank you Usha. You are so wise.”
”Of course, I’m a woman.”
Part 3 concludes the Vance Experience.
Next Up:
The Blue Earthquake - The United States of America is Reborn
Bill, it's brilliant. I love it. Let's make the movie.
I love happy endings.