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Anyone looking in at the President from the opposite side of the glass doors leading into the Rose Garden would have correctly assumed she was upset. A new wave of construction was underway to install thin screens made of Kevlar in an effort to fully enclose the Rose Garden. Marshall Hail’s continual drone invasions had caused increased measures to be undertaken to ensure the President’s safety.
Less than one year ago, at the beginning of her term, she had loved reading in the garden amongst the roses. Now, during a single month, she’d had two unsolicited visits from Hail’s drones that had prompted the construction of additional security measures consisting of a glass roof installed over the Rose Garden. Since that hadn’t slowed Hail from visiting her with drones, a protective see-through screen was being applied to all sides of the garden, hanging from the glass top all the way down to a new cement footer poured around the circumference of the garden. As Weston watched the installation of the panels, she hoped there would remain an outdoor feeling.
Behind the President stood Patrick West. He was responsible for White House security and was also the head of the United States Secret Service.
West tried to console the President saying, “I’m sorry, but I just don’t see any other option.”
The President said nothing. Three of the four sides had already been draped with see-through Kevlar screens. She watched the workers as they prepared the last screen panel for installation.
The President sounded one part sad and one part angry. “I guess it’s for the best. It’s the way the world is headed with drones that can fly just about anywhere they want.”
Silence fell over the room. The only sound was that of men screwing the last screen panel into place.
The President asked West, “Do you think this will do the trick? Meaning, do you think if I challenged Hail to breach the Rose Garden he could land another drone on my table?”
“I don’t think that would be a good idea,” West responded without elaborating.
The President turned to look at him. “And why not, Patrick?” Her voice was conversational, infused with just a hint of her native Texan accent. She had a wisp of a smile on her strong face.
West didn’t know how to interpret the look.
He said, “I just don’t think challenging Hail is a good idea. God only knows what measures he might take to win that challenge.”
The President shot back, “Isn’t anticipating what action he would take part of your job?”
West winced at the question, yet immediately replied, “At some point, I think we all need to question Hail’s stability. After all, he’s had some life-altering traumas and is operating as a lone wolf. In my world, a lone wolf is dangerous. You certainly don’t want to go poking one with a stick.”
The President smiled knowingly and said, “I believe you don’t have confidence in your little screen setup. Deep down, I think you believe Hail can still get to me. Is that your issue?”
“Not at all,” West said defensively. “But anytime you build defenses, there is always the balance between functionality and livability. After all, we could have built reinforced concrete walls 4 feet thick, but how livable or enjoyable would you find that? And even if we did build a hardened structure there will always be a weapon out there that can penetrate it.”
“But we’re not talking about a missile. We are talking about an annoying video drone that Hail is continually landing on my table. Do you, or do you not, believe the Kevlar screen will prevent Hail from getting to me?”
“Yes,” West replied with confidence.
“Yes, what?” asked the President.
“Yes, it will prevent Hail from landing his drone on your table.”
“That remains to be seen,” the President responded, turning to look out at her beloved screened and enclosed Rose Garden.