The President's Brain Is Missing Read Online Free PDF Page A

time. But as you can see, it’s possible.”
    â€œI don’t understand why you didn’t tell any of us,” Alex said.
    â€œTell you what?” Stein said. “That I secretly wrapped the President’s brain in a hole ripped out of spacetime? Alex, first I want you to imagine how that conversation would have played out with Dave. Then I want you to imagine how it would have played out with the President. He’s deeply suspicious of the idea that the Earth revolves around the Sun and not the other way around. You know that.” He pointed to the television. “Now I won’t have to explain it. The benefits are obvious.”
    â€œExcept that I’ve been kidnapped off the street and hidden away in a room with a man with a gun,” Alex said.
    â€œOh, that,” Stein said.
    â€œYes, that,” Alex said.
    â€œI am sorry about that, Alex,” Stein said. “You found out more than I would have given you credit for, faster than I would have expected. If you had told Dave about Louis Reynolds and his family, my involvement might have come out too soon. So all of this was only a precaution.”
    â€œI’m not sure I believe you,” Alex said.
    â€œHere’s how: Right now you’re underneath the East Wing of the White House,” Stein said.
    â€œBullshit,” Alex said.
    â€œWelcome to the bunker,” Stein said. “A small corner of it, anyway. Which you are of course free to leave. In fact, you should probably get back to your desk. Dave’s been screaming for you since the assassination attempt.”
    â€œOh, crap,” Alex said, and started looking for his cell phone.
    â€œHere,” Stein said, producing it from one of his pockets.
    â€œYou took my phone?” Alex said, taking it.
    â€œYou needed your rest,” Stein said. “Now, Alex, whether you tell anyone about what happened to you today is up to you, although of course I hope that you won’t feel it’s necessary. Also, given what’s happened today, you’ll understand when I say that even if you do discuss it, it’s likely to get lost in the shuffle.”
    â€œProbably,” Alex said.
    â€œAnd besides, I brought you a cheeseburger,” Stein said.
    â€œOh, well,” Alex said. “That makes it all better.” He got up from the cot, and wobbled.
    â€œEverything all right?” Stein said. He had walked to the door and turned back to catch the wobble.
    â€œI’m fine,” Alex said. “Just a little light-headed.”
    â€œThat’s to be expected,” Stein said. “All things considered. Give it a day or two. Your head will feel totally normal by then.”
    Alex looked up. “Wait. What’s that supposed to mean?” he asked.
    Stein smiled and walked out the door.

Copyright © 2010 by John Scalzi
    Art © 2010 by Carl Wiens

Books by John Scalzi
    THE OLD MAN’S WAR SERIES
    Old Man’s War
    The Ghost Brigades
    The Last Colony
    Zoe’s Tale
    OTHER NOVELS
    Agent to the Stars
    The Android’s Dream
    Fuzzy Nation (forthcoming)
    ANTHOLOGY
    METAtropolis (ed.)
    NON-FICTION
    The Rough Guide to Money Online
    The Rough Guide to the Universe
    The Rough Guide to Sci-Fi Movies
    You’re Not Fooling Anyone When You Take Your Laptop to a Coffee Shop
    Your Hate Mail Will Be Graded: A Decade of Whatever, 1998-2008