PresidentsInterstellarVisit

“Jeffrey get me Zircule, if you can. If he is not available now see if you can schedule an appointment for a realtime chat,” said the President of the United States.

“I have a few minutes now Mr. President, I am currently in a lunar bulldozer pulling down some enjoyable civic contribution time,” said Zircule. “I really enjoy the way we run the bulldozers in formation and work our way down through the regolith in symmetrical patterns. It is almost like making a large printout of an integrated circuit or subatomic machinery for engineering students to read with their telescopes.”

The President stared at the transceiver for a few seconds. Remember! Alien! He reminded himself emphatically.

“Are you there Mr. President,” inquired Zircule.

“Ah yes, Zircule. I am here. I called to see if you would be interested in playing some golf with the Vice-President, my National Security Advisor, and myself this weekend,” said the President.

“Golf is the Scottish war club game?” inquired Zircule.

“Close enough,” laughed the President. “We no longer make war with the clubs but it did originate in Scotland.”

“I would love to but perhaps I could get a rain check?” asked Zircule.

“When would be a good time in the future?” asked the President invitingly.

“Alas, I need to maintain a certain flexibility and I am currently overbooked,” said Zircule. “Would you consider taking an interstellar jaunt with me for a couple of days? I have a couple of classes scheduled nearby with glass blowing and blow guns. I am certain we could get in a few more students or even have some additional classes scheduled depending upon the number of secret service agents who came along.”

“Well the protocol for visiting other nations has loosened quite a bit in recent years,” the President admitted. “I would have to leave the Vice-President behind so he could takeover if anything happened to me, but the rest of us could come. When would we be talking about?”

“Get back to me on when you can block out 5 days and I will get the classes and travel scheduled accordingly,” said Zircule helpfully.

“Let’s make it next week, Sunday through Thursday, count on me, the National Security adviser, and 24 secret service people,” said the President decisively. “Oh yeah! My wife and another 12 secret service people if that is possible.”

“It is possible Sir. Anyone else, any reporters or press secretaries?” queried Zircule.

“Let’s let them cut and paste from the transceiver records,” said the President. “This is a good job but I need a little kickback time occasionally.”

“Very well, Mr. President,” acknowledged Zircule. “I will get our classes scheduled for 45 people. I include Jim Kern, Nathan Stonebraker, Jesse Baxter, John Pierson, and Katie Hawkins as they were originally scheduled to come with me. Gone intersteller is the message Jim plans to leave on his desk and in the sentient upload network. If you could have the Secret Service do their background checks it will make life easier for all of us. I will get back to you with the exact itinerary from pickup at the White House to delivery back to the White House.”

“Better make that Andrews AFB. The Secret Service is very touchy about air space these days,” said the President.

“Andrews it is,” acknowledged Zircule.

“Very well, I look forward to your call,” said the President of the United States.

The Pathfinder