Summary

Part 1 – The President has a restless night, knowing he is morally culpable for what has happened. He realizes he did not anticipate Ackerman being so cruel and forceful with the photograph, or Anderson taking his own life. The President knows that Ackerman must be destroyed, but it will be difficult because Ackerman is loved by COMFORT. Any hope for party unity has died with Anderson. At the same time, the global situation is increasingly desperate. The Communists are on the rise; the Russians are talking about a moon landing; the United States is falling behind. The President knows much must be done, but he also knows his health is in serious condition. Only his wife, his physician, and his press secretary know about the blackout he suffered in the Oval Office two months before.

Yet the President knows he...