60
If there was anything stupider and more self-serving on this planet than politicians, Dr. Donald Stephenson couldn’t imagine what it might be. To be pulled away from an important trip to California for an urgent meeting with the president of the United States was the height of folly. He had real work to do. Certainly, the president’s national science advisor could have taken care of the chitchat without bothering him.
He shoved his bag onto the platform that funneled carry-on luggage toward the x-ray screener, removing his laptop, shoes, belt, and watch as he followed the line forward.
“Boarding pass in hand, please.”
Dr. Stephenson scowled at the NTSA nobody, who awaited him on the other side of the LAX metal detector, then reached into his pocket to pull out the first-class boarding pass, holding it up to within an inch of the man’s eyes as he stepped through, gratified with the look of annoyance on the fellow’s face.
As Dr. Stephenson stepped away to retrieve his articles that had just passed through the x-ray screener, his cell phone rang. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled it out, glancing down at the caller-ID. Of course.
“Excuse me, sir.” The NTSA man was back in his face. “I’m sorry. All cell phones must go through x-ray screening. I’ll have to take that back through.”
Dr. Stephenson shrugged, handing him the ringing cell phone.
The NTSA man looked at the cell phone and then at the metal detector, a puzzled look on his face. Then he stepped back through the detector, which beeped loudly as he did.
As he placed the phone in a small round tub, the phone rang again.
“Why don’t you answer that for me,” Dr. Stephenson said. “Oh, and while you’re at it, tell the president why you feel it necessary to keep him waiting.
Glancing down at the caller-ID, the NTSA man saw just five capital letters, POTUS. The acronym, so common among the branches of government, jumped out at him: President of the United States.
When he glanced up again, his eyes caught the cold eyes of Dr. Stephenson, eyes that perfectly matched the cold grin that had spread across the scientist’s narrow face.