The Kid Who Became President Read Online Free PDF Page A

should be aware that outside the White House are a series of five-thousand-pound concrete barriers that should stop any suicide truck bomb. If they don’t, the White House is surrounded by an eight-foot iron fence. The gates are crashproof. If an enemy somehow made it past the fence, there are pressure sensors on the lawn. Ground-to-air missiles are hidden nearby. If we give the order, the missiles will be launched and will destroy a tank. We also have dogs that sniff for explosives. And all guests entering the White House must pass through a metal detector.”
    â€œIs that it?” I asked.
    â€œNo, sir. If an enemy submarine was hidden off the East Coast, it could launch a nuclear missile that would level Washington in six to eight minutes. We have satellites orbiting hundreds of miles above the earth with cameras so powerful they can photograph objects on the ground the size of a large horse. If our satellites detect missiles heading for the White House, you will be led to the bomb shelter in the basement under the East Wing.”
    â€œWhat if somebody attacks on very small horses?” I quipped, trying to get Agent Doe to laugh. He didn’t.
    â€œMissiles are more likely, sir. If there is time, you will be evacuated. We will get you to a 747 jet at Andrews Air Force Base that has been specially reinforced to absorb the heat and impact of a nuclear blast. It is on alert twenty-four hours a day. In the event of a nuclear war, it will serve as the temporary headquarters of our government.”
    â€œSo I could watch as Washington gets blown to bits?”
    â€œNo, sir,” Agent Doe replied. “The plane has no windows.”
    He pointed to a red telephone on the desk.
    â€œSir, this telephone is the hotline. It is a two-way system that links the White House and the Kremlin in Moscow. If there is an international crisis, the leaders of both the United States and Russia can communicate directly. You do not have to dial. Just pick up the receiver and there is an instant connection. Hopefully, this will reduce the risk of war because of a misunderstanding. Any questions, sir?”
    â€œDo you carry a gun?” I asked.
    â€œCertainly, sir.”
    â€œDid you ever shoot anyone?”
    â€œI have never fired my weapon, no, sir.”
    â€œDo you know jujitsu and kung fu and stuff?”
    â€œYes, sir.”
    â€œCould you, like, paralyze a guy in ten seconds?”
    â€œThree seconds, sir, if necessary.”
    â€œWow! You have the coolest job in the world.”
    â€œSome would say the same of you, sir.”
    â€œCan you show me how to do that? Paralyze a guy in three seconds?”
    â€œI will have to check regulations, sir, to see if that is allowed. Right now, there is one more thing to go over. I have to show you how to use the football. Where is it?”
    â€œFootball?” I asked. “What football?”
    â€œThe football,” he said, his voice rising with urgency. “The brown briefcase you were handed right after you were sworn in. We call that the football.”
    â€œOh yeah!” I recalled. “The briefcase. The president gave it to me.”
    â€œWhere is it, sir?”
    â€œI, uh … guess I left it at the podium.”
    Agent Doe grabbed for his walkie-talkie like he was reaching for his gun.
    â€œCode red!” he barked. “Repeat! Code red! We have a fumble situation! Repeat! Fumble situation! Live ball near podium at Capitol Building! Code red! Return immediately! Urgent!”
    Instantly, a siren went off outside. A bunch of cars gunned their engines and screeched away. Agent Doe spat out a curse word in his disgust and immediately apologized to me.
    â€œI’ll go back and get it!” I said frantically. “I can skateboard over there in a minute.”
    â€œYou’re not to leave this room!” Agent Doe warned forcefully. “This is a matter of national security, sir. If the football has fallen