story1

February 2002.

A Pretzel Drama

Author's Note: I'm thinking of writing for the TV show The West Wing. You may have seen it? This is my test piece for the show. Actually, this is just the hot opening scene, something to hook the viewers.
"No!" said Laura.
"Please?" said George.
"No," said Laura. "You know what the doctor said about pretzels!"
"Fine!" said George. "I'll just watch the Super Bowl without pretzels!"
"Ok!" said Laura. "I'll just do some reading in the Oval Office. Have a nice time watching the game!"
George watched Laura leave the room.
"Agent Bill," said George to the nearby Secret Service agent. "Could you secure the carpet over there? I think its got a bit of a wrinkle to it." While the Secret Service Agent was distracted, George sneaked over to a little cabinet, and grabbed a tiny bag of pretzels. Suddenly, Laura entered the room. "Oh by the way, George, can you give me the latest documents from General Franks. I have to do some analysis to prepare a war plan."
George quickly hid the pretzels inside his comic book. "Oh ok," said George. "Can you have your plan on my desk by tomorrow, so that I can tell it to the generals."
Laura left the room, and George sat down to watch the game. Covertly, he munched on the pretzels, so that Agent Bill would not see him. However, he was no match for the keen-eyed Agent Bill, who spotted what he was up to. "Sir, drop the pretzel! You know you're not supposed to be eating that!"
Shocked by Agent Bill's discovery, George started to choke. Agent Bill jumped to attention. He talked into his radio. "Code Pretzel. Repeat, we have a pretzel emergency." Ten Secret Service agents leaped into the room.
They tried the Heimlich manuever, but to no avail. "We can't get the pretzel out!" said Agent Jim. Meanwhile, George was turning red.
"We need Dr. Fred Freddson, the renowned Philadelphia doctor with a specialty in pretzels!" said Agent Jim. "He's the only man that can save our President!"
Agent Bill said. "We'll pick him up in an F-16, he should be here in minutes!"
"Notify the Vice President of the situation," said Agent Jim. "Looks like we may have to transfer power."
"Right!" said Agent Bill. He talked into his radio. "Get Dick!" he yelled. "What do you mean, you can't find him." Agent Bill turned to Agent John. "They've lost the Vice President. They forgot where they were hiding him. Agent Chuck says he left the VP in a closet, and Agent Rob says he left the VP in the basement."
"Damn," said Agent Jim.
"I know," said Agent Bill. "And everyone else in the line of succession is watching the game, so we can't reach them."
"Damn!" said Agent Jim.
Just then, Laura walked in. She saw the situation immediately. "I guess I'm in charge of the country now," she said.