THE MOMENT
President Gaffe held his breath as the agents escorted him past the sign and towards a large, metal, secured door. Before he became president, Joseph Arthur Gaffe was very curious about the world around him. Politics wasn't his first choice, but he had a natural aptitude for it. He was a biology major until a friend commented that the President probably knows more than the average scientist. Joseph leaned into his natural talents and discovered that he enjoyed it. He reached a point that could affect real change in the world. But, he never forgot his original goal. This was the moment he'd worked so hard for.
He closed his eyes as the door beeped and began to slide open. He did not want to see it bit by bit, he wanted to take in everything at once. He waited until the door sounded like it stopped moving. And, one of the agents needed to get his attention.
"You okay, Sir?" the agent asked.
"I am," President Gaffe nodded with his eyes still closed. "Just preparing myself," he said. The president took in a deep breath and opened his eyes. He was immediately disappointed. Behind the door was a large white room with a table in the center. A young teenager in a black suit stood by the table and approached the President.
"Welcome, Mr. President," he extended his hand and smiled. "My name is Alvin and I'll be briefing you on everything you need to know about the multiverse today," he said. President Gaffe glanced at his escorts in confusion.
"He's just a kid?" he commented to the closest agent. He nodded and Alvin spoke up again.
"Yes, Sir. But, regardless of my age, this is where I've been assigned," he said. He turned and gestured at the table to offer the President a seat. "Shall we get started?"
The President moved to the table after an encouraging nod from his escorts. There was single black folder on the table notably thick with forms; the President sat in front of the folder. Alvin picked up the folder and carried it to the other side of the table and sat down behind it.
"This Earth is one of an infinite number of alternate Earths," Alvin said. "Now that you're the President, you are entitled to information about how things work; as well as certain bonuses."
"Are the aliens from alternate universes?" President Gaffe asked. Alvin shook his head.
"Aliens?" he asked. "Aliens don't exist, Mr. President," he said. The President turned and pointed at the now closed door he came in through. The two agents were still standing guard at attention.
"The sign said, 'Extraterrestrial Containment Program'," he said. Alvin nodded; but, he also gave a sly chuckle under his breath.
"I'm sure you also noticed that it was a rather old, rusted sign. This division was founded before your Earth discovered the multiverse. Its purpose was to discover extraterrestrial life; but they found other universes instead. Once the B.A.A. explained that aliens don't exist; this base was repurposed."
"B.A.A.?" the President asked.
"Oh, sorry," Alvin's tan face scrunched up when he realized he already made a mistake. He was supposed to explain that first. "The Bureau of Alternate Agencies. We're the agency that coordinates...," Alvin gestured at the two secret service agents. "...all other agencies in every universe." President Gaffe's eyes widened in surprise and he couldn't help but laugh. He looked at the two guards with a broad smile.
"This kid's your boss?" he asked. They gave firm nods but Alvin spoke up.
"They work directly under you," Alvin said. "You're their boss; But, I am technically their superior." President Gaffe rolled his eyes, but shrugged and gave Alvin his full attention again.
"Fine. Alright, so hit me with it, kid. When do I meet the other Presidents, or however this works?" President Gaffe wasn't normally so dismissive. Unfortunately, his disappointment at the lack of aliens affected him harder than he thought. It didn't help his mood that some random kid was apparently the best qualified agent to greet the President of the United States. He'd already lost his patience; but, he still had a job to do. His focus was aliens but Gaffe did want to be a great president on top of that. He began wondering about trade between Earths but Alvin shook his head again.
"You're not required to meet with any other leaders," Alvin said.
"What? Then how do we progress? How do we develop trade and establish relationships?"
"You don't need to do any of that," Alvin said. "The B.A.A. coordinates everything. You're more than welcome to visit other Earths, but it's not part of your regular duties."
"So what is part of my regular duties?" President Gaffe asked.
"Make speeches. Sign whatever we put in front of you, that's about it. You'll have a lot of free time." President Gaffe stood suddenly and with anger. His guards were at his side in a flash but didn't know what else to do other than stand there at the ready.
"The President of the United States is NOT A FIGUREHEAD!" he yelled down at the still seated Alvin. "I'm the most powerful man on Earth," he added with a stern, calmer voice.
"Of this Earth," Alvin added with a smirk. Though he understood the concept of alternate universes, the fact of their existence hadn't registered in his mind yet.
"Huh?" President Gaffe asked.
"You understand you're not the only President, right? There are thousands. If you don't want to participate, you don't have to. The B.A.A. will pull all our resources and disconnect you from the multiverse. Your power only extends as far as this Earth; after that, it means nothing."
Joseph Arthur Gaffe started that day as the most powerful man in the world about to learn the secrets of the universe. It wasn't even lunch time yet, and all his power was suddenly worthless. He definitely didn't like the secrets he'd learned so far.
"I mean, come on," Alvin chuckled. "If you were as powerful as you think you are... if your opinions mattered, the B.A.A. would have given the job to someone experienced. Not a junior agent that's still a high school Freshman."