Breakfast in the Oval Office

[Richard Patterson]

June 6th, 2023
1025 hours

Rick sat down in the chair that so many great men before him had sat in. He felt almost out of place in the legendary room. It was hard to believe that this, this Oval Office in this grand White House was his for the next four years. The past few months had been a blur. His friends in the Senate had nominated him for President; he'd accepted, named the incumbent President as his running mate, and won by a landslide. And now he had to lead the United States into World War III.

How could it have come to this? The great nation had seen so many wars before, including the two devastating World Wars. Rick's grandfather and great-grandfather fought in both wars, the former would tell him stories of his exploits during the war, telling him that war was the closest thing to hell that man could experience while living. Rick had found this to be true on his various tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan. To watch a man be torn apart by an explosion, or see his body pumped with bullets was enough to drive a man insane. Isabelle was the only one who allowed him to get back his sanity.

He remembered the day they met quite well and quite fondly. It was in summer of 2005. Rick was at a base in France to re-cooperate after his last tour of duty in Afghanistan. He'd been granted a 48-hour leave and was entering a cafe in Paris when he bumped into a stunningly beautiful woman. For the first time in his life, he was tongue-tied. The woman smiled patiently at him, and it was then that he offered to buy her a glass of champagne. She accepted, and later on he asked her on a date. Three years later, they were married.

They had a teenage son named Henry and 2 five year old twin girls named Anne Marie and Charlotte. Rick's family had gotten used to life in the White House quite well, but Rick was still a little overwhelmed about his new role. But he knew what needed to be done, and that he couldn't let the UPN invade. Right off the bat he had decided that he'd take every necessary precaution to prevent that.

And so, six days after taking office, he'd summoned his Vice President, Eishenhower Jr., to come and see him. He'd talked to the man frequently throughout his campaign, but this was their first one-on-one meeting as President and Vice President. Rick was looking forward to starting his work--the first step would be to consult with Eisenhower. They'd agreed to meet at 1030 hours in the Oval Office for a breakfast meeting.

Rick tapped his fingers on the desk and withdrew a cigarette from the pack in the front pocket of his pinstriped suit. It was early for smoking, and his wife would get after him for this, but it was a habit he'd had since his days in the Navy. He wasn't addicted, he smoked only in moderation. It calmed his nerves, relaxed him. He'd need a lot of that in the road ahead.

[Giovanni Facilli]

A singe, Silver Corvette Stingray drove down the streets of Washington D.C, taking the side turns and curves that went with the city, passing by monuments and statues, ranging from the World War Two Memorial, To Arlington National Cemetery. The car’s speakers were playing songs from year’s bygone, including the song “Maybellene”, from 1957. The driver rolled the Window down, and rested his hand on the side of the car door as the car drove towards the White House.

The driver could now be recognized with the Tinted Window rolled down; it was none-other than the Former President of the United States, turned Vice President, Mr. Dwight D. Eisenhower II. Much of Washington, and perhaps the United States, were still trying to figure out what his official title would be. Mr. President? Mr. Vice President? Mr. President Turned Vice President?

He preferred them to call him Mr. Eisenhower. Dwight listened as the song switched to one a bit older, One “Ain’t that a Shame”. He looked around, and slowly pulled his car to a stop as it pulled up to the White House Gates. He smiled at the Guard, and pulled out his Identification, showing it to the guard, who smiled back. Identification wasn’t really needed for Dwight, all of the World Knew who he was, but it was a rule, and rules are rules.

Dwight drove his Corvette through the gate, and down the long driveway, parking it in its nesessary spot, before picking up two packages from his passenger seat, and carrying them with him as he got out of the car, and closed the door, putting the keys in his Pocket. He looked down at the Packages, One was rather thin, and the other one was larger, but each were wrapped with brown paper, and Twine.

He carried the boxes in his arm as he walked down the stone path that led to the Entrance of the White House, and looked around as the door was opened for him by a Marine. He saluted, and stepped into the White house, looking around the hallways, and smiling at people, Saying “Hello to you Too” as numerous people smiled at their former boss while they passed by him, working on their list of duties that never seemed to end.

Dwight walked down a few hallways, and up a few set of stairs, before he entered the hallway that made him feel right back at Home. The White house had, after all, been his home for Eight years, and it was a rather quiet home to live in, if one can say that. Dwight had no children, Only a Wife that went on numerous goodwill trips.

Dwight arrived at the door that led into the Oval office, and Knocked on it with his free hand twice, before moving it down to the Doorknob, and Opening it. He stepped into the room, and closed the door behind him as he looked around the office. The room wasn’t really different than it had been when he was office, aside from the busts of politicians he’d admired and paintings he’d bought for it replaced by pictures and models of Planes of the Second World War.

Dwight smiled as he noticed Richard Patterson, the President He’d been replaced by, sitting at his desk. He walked over to the desk, placing the two packages onto it, before shaking Richard’s hand as he said “Nice to see you again, Rick. I see you’ve settled into your new office quite Fine. My wife and I got you a few house-welcoming gifts.”

He picked the packages up, and placed them closer towards him, before looking around, and pulling a chair closer to the desk, and sitting down on it. He looked around, and watched, waiting for Richard to open the packages. “So, What’s for Breakfast?”, Watching the smoke that rose from his Cigarette.

(FYI, the packages are four bars of decorative soap, and a Wooden Model of the ‘Flying Pancake’ experimental plane.)

[Richard Patterson]

Rick didn't have to wait long for his Vice President to arrive. The older man knocked on the door twice. "Come in." Rick answered in his trademark voice--deep, slightly nasal with a bit of a lisp. He could be gentle and intimidating when he wanted--he had the skill of an actor. No one could tell what he was thinking--except Isabelle, who always seemed to know.

Dwight D. Eisenhower II was much admired by Rick. To him, he was a legend. His grandfather, Lieutenant James Patterson, had fought in the war, and spoke highly of Eisenhower. He hadn't met him, but he did go to his inauguration. Rick was honored to have the grandson of such an instrumental historical figure standing in his office.

Rick rose to greet his Vice President. "Good morning, Ike, nice to see you again too. I trust you had a good night's sleep?" he asked politely as he shook Eisenhower's hand. Rick smiled broadly, a rare sight. "Gifts for me? Why, you shouldn't have." He picked up the package and began to open it. He discovered that the gifts were four bars of decorative soap ( Isabelle will love that ) and, to his delight, a model of the Vought V-173 or "Flying Pancake", an experimental WWII fighter plane. His face lit up once more, this time like an excited kid. This would be an excellent addition to his growing collection of plane models from the war, most of which were hanging around his office. A picture of his grandfather hung on the wall next to the window. In the office was also a mannequin with full paratrooper gear ( his grandfather, Jimmy Patterson, had served in the 101st ) as well as many models of battleships and aircraft carriers.

He grinned at Eisenhower. "Thank you , it was very thoughtful of you both. Please pass on my thanks to your wife as well." He sat back down in his chair and gestured to the man before him.

"Please, sit down, make yourself at home." Once Eisenhower had done so, Rick reached into his pocket and withdrew a pack of cigarettes. "Cigarette?" he offered. To answer Ike's question, he replied, "Whatever you'd like. The kitchen'll make anything you'd like."

"Ike, besides to have a little friendly conversation, one of the reasons I called you here was to discuss the impending threat of the UPM. We need to-" Before he could finish, the door to the Oval Office was flung open, and a little girl with golden blonde hair styled in a bob ran in and hugged Rick.

"Good morning, Daddy!" Rick's young daughter greeted him.

He laughed before kissing her on the forehead. "Good morning, Anna Marie."

Anna Marie suddenly noticed that they were not alone. She caught sight of the vaguely familiar man sitting across from her father before shying back into Rick's arms. "Who's that, Daddy?"

"That's Mr. Eisenhower, remember? You met him last year." he answered with a smile. "Right now, we're having an important meeting. Tell Mr. Eisenhower, 'Good morning.'"

"Good morning, Mr. Eisenhower." Anna Marie said timidly.

Just then, Isabelle entered the Oval Office. "Anna Marie, you know better than to come in when Daddy's having his meetings." Her unique voice had the traces of a European accent, something Rick loved about her--her voice. "Oh, I'm sorry, darling, she got away from me." She then smiled at Ike. "Good morning, Mr. Eisenhower."

[Giovanni Facilli]

Dwight smiled as he watched Richard’s reaction, and knew he’d picked a good gift, his wife always picked good gifts, but for him to pick a good gift was very rare. Dwight listened as Richard began, talking about the problem that the United States currently had with the United Peoples Movement. They were advancing on all fronts, from all sides, and couldn’t be stopped.

As he was about to continued, Ike could hear the footsteps of a small child, and they soon grew louder as it was revealed that Richard’s young daughter entered the room. Ike smiled as she gave her father a hug, and was instructed to tell him hello. Ike smiled, saying “Hello to you too, Anne Marie.”

He turned around towards the door as he heard another pair of foot-steps, more of an older womans, and misled as the wife of Richard appeared, quickly rushing over to her Daughter. She noticed Ike, and smiled, before saying “Good Morning, Mr. Eisenhower”.

“Good morning to you too Isabelle”. He watched as she quickly directed her daughter out of the room, Eisenhower watching them as they left the Office, closing the door on their way out. Dwight looked back at Richard, rather puzzled, saying “They left awful fast..”

He blanked out for a moment, before returning his attention to Richard, saying “Yes, On the note of the UPM, it seems that we’re going to have to hit them back, and hit them back hard. We should begin naval invasions and the sort in the Pacific, but it seems that the only real hope we have for Europe at the moment is the Italians.”

He paused, he hated to admit it, but the Italians were powerful, and they were the last beacon of hope in the darkness that was eating Europe. “We’ve got to pressure them continuously to join the war, because at the moment, and I REALLY hate to say it, we have no possible way we can send troops to Europe when we’ve got a fleet on the edge of Alaska ready to invade North America. Perhaps you could have a meeting with their Emperor, Guesseppe Franco? Perhaps they could offer you a tour of their capital, it’s a very impressive and beautiful place, designed after Albert Speer’s design for Germania. I might also suggest, buying him a gift? He is easily impressed by those things. I hear he likes the old band ‘The Doors’.”

He stopped as he heard the door open once more, and Ike turned around, looking at a familiar man, One of the men that worked in the White House Kitchen while he was President. “How are you doing, Frank?” He asked.

“I’m good Mr. President, Or should I Refer to you as Mr. Vice President?” The man, apparently named Frank, asked.

“Call me Mr. Eisenhower.” He replied.

“Alright, Mr. Eisenhower. May I ask what you two will have for breakfast?” The man asked the two.

“I’ll have a bowl of corn flakes, a cup of coffee, and four orders of bacon for myself, Please.” He asked.

“No milk with those corn flakes, You’re coffee should be Black, and well-done bacon, if I remember correctly, Right Mr. Eisenhower?” He asked.

“That’s right. Same thing I had every morning.” Ike replied. He listened as Richard ordered his food, before watching as the man walked out, shutting the door behind him.

Dwight turned his attention back to Richard, and crossed his arms, looking at Richard, waiting for him to say something.

[Richard Patterson]

Rick laughed a bit at Ike's comment on how fast his family had left. "Anna Marie simply finds my meetings quite boring. She's listened in on a few before, but not for very long." he said with a shrug. "As for Isabelle, I'm sure she wants to get back to redecorating." he added with another chuckle. "Though seriously I think it has to do with my smoking."

The President nodded at Ike's suggestions. "Yes, I agree. We need to take the fight to them. And not just a petty bombing, but a full-scale invasion." Australia had been taken by the UPM, the islands of the Pacific were vulnerable. Something needed to be done, and quick.

"Right...but the Italians don't seem to keen on getting into the fight just yet. I think they're biding their time, watching our every move to see which side is stronger. They'll become allies with that side, and when the war is over they'll reap the benefits. Take the spoils." He paused to take a long drag on his cigarette.

"'The Doors'? Hmm...I'll keep it in mind." Rick answered, sitting up a bit. "In any case, I do need to talk to him. Perhaps I'll invite him here...I believe he did say he was interested in seeing America...maybe I can give him a tour of my hometown." Rick's hometown, of course, was New York City. He was born and raised there, coming from a well-to-do family. After his Navy career he became a lawyer, and rose up to being the richest man in the city, and eventually the state.

The door opened a few minutes later, and a man from the kitchen named Frank walked in. Ike, of course, knew him, having been the previous president. Rick watched as Ike ordered his food, and when he was finished, he said, "I'll have bacon, scrambled eggs, and sausage with a cup of decaf."

Once Frank had left, Rick turned to Ike again. "We also need to do something about the situation in the Phillippines. Somehow we need to get the UPM the hell out of there so we can focus on an offensive."