Scene 1
8 PM Washington DC, 7 AM Beijing Red phone rings in the Chairman's residence. Two interpreters standing by--not needed. The US president calls the chairman: "I want to work with you to prevent nuclear war." I believe that the only chance we, you and I, have to prevent the destruction of civilization is for you to accept my offer of the United Stats. I intend to give China the United States of America, at the earliest possible moment you can accept it. What do you think?"
Chairman: "Understood. I see the logic. What are your conditions?"
President: "Few. Only what we think are essential for it to work out--for the new China to hold together. Everything is up for discussion. We are committed to this working out for you."
Chairman: "Who knows about this offer?
President: "A small team that has been preparing the offer for over a year." "Everyone here is sworn to absolute secrecy. Forever, if China turns the offer down. Or until China chooses to make their acceptance public."
Chairman: "Let's set up backchannel communication. I will select a group to understand your offer and its feasibility here in China."
President: "Agreed."
Scene 2 More than a year before The Call. 9 AM, after breakfast in secure viewing room in an undisclosed location. All the main characters are gathered at the direct request of the White House. They understand that the meeting is a secrete and they have no idea what it is about. They watch "Nuclear War" a movie/documentary based upon Annie Jacobsen's book of the same name.
Reactions shared. Lunch. Afternoon with the experts from the movie and more. Presentations. Q & A. Discussion: what should/could we do to prevent this. Oath of secrecy not to discuss this meeting. Working group identified (also a secret not shared with the whole group, only with it's members.
Scene 3 Six months before viewing room meeting. Oval Office President and the producer of "Nuclear War" movie. President: "We would like to engage you to write and produce a fictional three season TV Series to explore, in full public view, some radical ideas. This TV Series is key to our plan to eliminate nuclear weapons globally. Done well and with a lot of luck it opens closed doors. Done poorly it is just another money making TV series. Will you join us and take the project on?"
Scene 4 Six months before the Oval Office meeting Oval Office (or more secure room) Secretary of State and the President Secretary of State: "I have an idea that could become a plan with your support. The idea could lead to the elimination of all nuclear weapons from the planet and could also address climate change, economic instability, and national dept. Do you have a few minutes for me to sketch it out? President: "Of course."
Scene 5 Second call with President and Chairman Red phone 7 AM Beijing, 8 PM Washington, DC
Chairman: "Mr. President, we are interested. Can we know your conditions and analysis of feasibility?"
President" "Yes, of course. We will send documents securely." "One other thing, we would like China to help write and produce a three season US TV Series that introduces the key concepts and scenarios to the public. We want to be sure that it is acceptable to you and in fact supportive of the transition. Can we count on you?"
Chairman: "Yes."
Scene 5 DARPA, MIT and British Analyst discuss their last year's collaboration in modeling THE SCENARIO.