A Secret Service Question, version 3.0

[Mark Rand]

One of my favorite books is the novel Executive Orders, which features Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan. In it, moments after he's sworn as Vice President, before a joint session of Congress, an aircraft crashes into the capital building and kills everyone there. Jack escapes by simply being out of the blast radius. The problem with this is that the only time there's a joint session of Congress is when The President gives The State of the Union Address. In order for Jack to become President, he has to be the Cabinet Secretary that stays in the White House and watches the speech on television.

 

Let us make the following assumptions:

 

The campaign is set in the Champions Universe.

 

In addition to Sally, Jack Jr., and Katie, the Ryans have an older daughter, Holly, that they adopted, and now trains the big cats for the Ross Brothers Circus.

 

Cathy, a well-respected eye surgeon, has been the eye doctor for several Presidents, and has passed whatever checks the Secret Service requires.

 

Question one, would the background check done by the Secret Service bring Holly's job to light?

 

Several years have passed since then. Jack is now a member of the President's Cabinet and is the one that stayed in the White House.

 

Question two, is he permitted to bring his wife and younger children with him?

 

The plane crash happened. Jack is now President. After being sworn in, and still in shock, his first order is to make Secret Service Agent Andrea Price, one of the few that stayed in the White House the new head of his detail. If Cathy's not there to do so, Jack tells Andrea about Cathy's schedule, the schedules for the three children and about Holly's job. He finishes by telling Andrea that he's extremely sure that, even if Andrea tries to talk her into giving up her job, Holly won't do so because she loves it so much, and, if necessary, Holly will refuse Secret Service protection and rely on circus bandmaster Matt Reese, her lover of five years, the Reese clan, show vet Rumiko Nishigawa, who can telepathicly talk to animals and his a skilled martial artist, as well as her big cats, for protection.

 

Question three, how does Andrea protect Holly?

 

(Note, for your convenience, a partial list of circus employees will be provided in my next post.)

[Mark Rand]

Re: A Secret Service Question, version 3.0

 

Here is the partial listing of the Ross Brothers Circus staff.

David Michael Ross - co-owner, president, producer

Irene Ross - co-owner, production coordinator

Tim Ross - co-owner, vice-president, secretary, general manager

Sarah Ross - co-owner, treasurer, front door manager

James Ross - co-owner, ringmaster, performance director, sideshow announcer

Ann Ross - co-owner, office manager

Barbara Ross Bergman - co-owner, production coordinator

Gary Bergman - co-owner, general superintendent

Mary "Cowgirl" West - (at winterquarters) office worker, (on the road) 24-hour advance agent (Mary always dresses like a working cowgirl.)

Holly Ryan - superintendent of felines

Matt Reese - (at winterquarters) electrical department, (on the road) bandleader (trumpet), electronics maintenance

Fran Reese - (at winterquarters) wardrobe room staff, (on the road) band member (organ & vocals), school teacher

Paul Reese - (at winterquarters) mechanic, (on the road) band member (drums & vocals) school teacher

Jack Reese - (at winterquarters) mechanic, (on the road) band member (tuba) (he also helps his wife, Diana, with her rigging)

Susan Reese - (at winterquarters) wardrobe room staffer, (on the road) band member (euphonium (Susan is legally blind [the normal visual field is 140 to 180 degrees, 20 degrees is the starting point for legally blind, Susan's is 12 degrees] and has a guide dog named Sugar. Susan is also certified as a massage therapist for domesticated mammels.)

Anne Campbell, M.D. - staff physician

Catherine "Cat" Campbell, C.R.N.P. - staff nurse

Rumiko Nishigawa, D.V.M. - staff veterinarian

Diana Vasquez Reese - fifth generation aerialist and human cannonball (Her red, white, and blue cannon has been named American Beauty.)

[Mark Rand]

Re: A Secret Service Question, version 3.0

 

Here's a bit more stuff that the Secret Service could easily discover.

 

Anne Campbell and her daughter, Catherine are highly intelligent women and compassionate when it comes to caring for people. Catherine worked in a level one trauma center before being laid off. Anne, a specialist in internal medicine, had her own practice before selling it. Both think that the health insurance companies are more interested in their wallets than helping people and have said so, in public, a number of times.

 

Rumiko worked at a zoo before it went broke and was given the female black leopard that she'd raised from a baby. That leopard, Ebony, is in the show's menagerie and thinks Rumiko's her mother.

 

Mary West has been a fan of Westerns since she was old enough to sit in front of the television and watch them.

 

The only firearms on the circus are Rumiko's compressed air pistol and rifle (she uses both to dart animals that need it) and Mary's two toy revolvers. (One takes roll caps, the other takes plastic bullets. A quick check of them would prove that they are toys.)

[Mark Rand]

Re: A Secret Service Question, version 3.0

 

Andrea travels to the circus to check things out for herself and, hopefully, talk some sense into Holly.

 

When she arrives, she finds the Oklahoma State Police is already there. After showing her ID to an officer, she's directed to the main office and is given a tour by David Michael Ross, the show's president and producer, who shows her everything.

 

During the first two hours, she watched Holly put her big cats through their paces and noted a woman with long black hair and wearing black clothes watching the session intently. Andrea, wondering who she was, walked over, showed the woman her ID and said, "Hello. It's a nice day."

 

"Yes," the woman said. "It is. I'm Rumiko, the show's vet."

 

"I see," Andrea said. "Is there anything wrong with the cats?"

 

"No," Rumiko replied. "I watch all animal rehearsals and performances. That way, I can catch any medical problems when they show up."

 

"That's a good idea," Andrea said. "What would happen if someone attacked Holly while she's performing?"

 

"If they were foolish enough to physically attack her, the cats would attack without hesitation, if I didn't have time to get a knockout dart into the attacker."

 

"What about an attack with a gun?"

 

"We're always on the lookout for such things," Rumiko replied.

 

"You mentioned a knockout dart before," Andrea said.

 

"Compressed air pistol in my backpack," Rumiko explained. "It's at my feet."

 

"What if an agent wanted to carry it?" Andrea asked.

[McCoy]

Re: A Secret Service Question, version 3.0

 

The problem with this is that the only time there's a joint session of Congress is when The President gives The State of the Union Address.

The only time? Are you sure about that?

[Mark Rand]

Re: A Secret Service Question, version 3.0

 

The only time? Are you sure about that?

I believe so. If there aren't any, I don't know about them.

 

If there are any that occur between mid-March and mid-November, when the show's on the road, the Secret Service will, in my opinion, have more problems planning security, and getting used to the circus, than they would if the incident that made Jack President occurred while everyone was at winterquarters.

[McCoy]

Re: A Secret Service Question, version 3.0

 

I believe so. If there aren't any, I don't know about them.

If there are any that occur between mid-March and mid-November, when the show's on the road, the Secret Service will, in my opinion, have more problems planning security, and getting used to the circus, than they would if the incident that made Jack President occurred while everyone was at winterquarters.

"The parliamentary difference between a joint session and a joint meeting has evolved over time. In recent years the distinctions have become clearer: a joint session is more formal, and occurs upon the adoption of a concurrent resolution; a joint meeting occurs when each legislative body adopts a unanimous consent agreement to recess to meet with the other legislative body."

 

http://www.senate.gov/pagelayout/reference/four_column_table/Joint_Sessions.htm

 

So far, in the 21st century, there have been 13 Joint Sessions or Joint Meetings of Congress, and only 5 have been State of the Union. To be fair, I believe Bush was at all but two of those Joint Sessions (the ones to count the Electorial Votes).

[Mark Rand]

Re: A Secret Service Question, version 3.0

 

"The compressed air pistol?" Rumiko asked.

 

"Yes."

 

"It holds only one shot and isn't loaded," Rumiko said. "The darts are in another section of my backpack."

 

"That's good. Still, I'd feel better if an agent held it while Holly was in the big top."

 

"No problem."

 

"Good," Andrea said. "Do you have any other weapons?"

 

"Yes, a compressed air rifle in a locked case in my semi. Also, almost everyone has a knife, and many tools used on a circus can be used as improvised weapons."

 

"I'll remember that. Are there any other firearms on the show?"

 

"Mary West has two old toy revolvers left over from when she dressed as a cowgirl on Halloween."

 

"I'll have to inspect them."

 

"I don't think she'll mind."

 

"Rumiko, I understand you're telepathic with animals."

 

"Yes. I only use it to let an animal tell me where it's hurting or control an otherwise uncontrolable animal. When I use my power, my eyes glow, as do those of the animal I'm talking to."

 

"Would you ever use that ability to have an animal attack someone mistreating it?"

 

"No. I'd report that person to the circus management. That person would be fired within one minute."

 

"I see."

[Mark Rand]

Re: A Secret Service Question, version 3.0

 

"The parliamentary difference between a joint session and a joint meeting has evolved over time. In recent years the distinctions have become clearer: a joint session is more formal, and occurs upon the adoption of a concurrent resolution; a joint meeting occurs when each legislative body adopts a unanimous consent agreement to recess to meet with the other legislative body."

 

http://www.senate.gov/pagelayout/reference/four_column_table/Joint_Sessions.htm

 

So far, in the 21st century, there have been 13 Joint Sessions or Joint Meetings of Congress, and only 5 have been State of the Union. To be fair, I believe Bush was at all but two of those Joint Sessions (the ones to count the Electorial Votes).

Thank you for the information. I owe you a rep point.

 

As I recall, Jack was sworn in as VP before a joint session of Congress, complete with the Cabinet members, the Supreme Court, and the diplomatic corps.

 

Except for Jack, who was in one of the underground passages, everyone was killed when a passenger jet smashed into the Capitol and its fuel tanks exploded.

[McCoy]

Re: A Secret Service Question, version 3.0

 

Thank you for the information. I owe you a rep point.

As I recall, Jack was sworn in as VP before a joint session of Congress, complete with the Cabinet members, the Supreme Court, and the diplomatic corps.

Except for Jack, who was in one of the underground passages, everyone was killed when a passenger jet smashed into the Capitol and its fuel tanks exploded.

Don't read Tom Clancy on principle, so I wouldn't know. For some reason I thought he was at the Capital Building when a plane hit the White House. Rereading your post I see I was wrong.

[Mark Rand]

Re: A Secret Service Question, version 3.0

 

Andrea waited until Holly finished with her big cats before walking over to her with ID in hand.

 

"How can I help you, Agent Price?"

 

"Your father is now the President, Miss Ryan," Andrea replied. "I'm hoping I can talk you into coming home."

 

"Not a chance," Holly said.

 

"Figured as much," Andrea admitted. "I had to try."

 

"I know," Holly replied. "You'll come up with something."

 

"Thanks for the vote of confidence."

 

"You're welcome," Holly said. "You have until mid-March to figure how you're going to protect me on the road."

 

"Flag's up!" someone yelled.

 

"Lunchtime," Holly said. "Let's eat."

[Mark Rand]

Re: A Secret Service Question, version 3.0

 

At lunch, Andrea noted that two state police officers sat close to Holly, as did a number of circus employees.

 

After lunch, she caught up with Mary West, who showed her the two old revolvers she had in her motorhome. Both proved to be toys. She also saw a pile of masks that Mary had worn with her costumes and an album of photographs. "May I?" she asked, pointing to the album.

 

"Sure," Mary replied. "Our high school mascot was the mustang. One year, for homecoming week, our principal encouraged the students, staff, and faculty to dress up in Western clothes. Gloves, masks, and toy weapons were permitted. It worked so well that we did it every homecoming week until I graduated."

 

"Were you masked?" Andrea asked.

 

"Yeah," Mary replied, "I wasn't the only one. Most of us were."

 

"I see," Andrea said. "What does a twenty-four hour advance agent do?" Mary explained her job in detail. When she finished, Andrea asked, "Would it be possible to have an advance detail of Secret Service agents work with you?"

 

"I don't see why not," she replied. "How many agents would be in the detail?"

 

"Five," Andrea replied. "Why?"

 

"You might want to have two work with me and have the other three be a day ahead of me and the agents I'm with."

[Mark Rand]

Re: A Secret Service Question, version 3.0

 

After leaving Mary, Andrea continued her tour of the circus's winterquarters. She left at 6:30 pm and returned to her motel room. She had a lot to think about.

[Mark Rand]

Re: A Secret Service Question, version 3.0

 

The next day, Andrea returned to the White House.

 

"I know how we're going to protect Holly," she told President Ryan.

 

"Let's hear it," Jack said.

 

"Here's the standard lot layout," she said, unfolding the plans Mr. Ross had given her. "While the show's at winterquarters, the agents stay close to Holly. While the show's on the road, one agent stays close to Holly, one works as a cat groom, and the others are in the big top."

 

"What about the advance detail?" asked Patrick O'Day, a roving inspector with the FBI, who had stopped by to brief the President on the investigation of the Capitol's destruction.

 

"Two work with Mary West, the show's advance agent," Andrea replied. "The other three travel one day in front of her."

 

"Is that enough people?" the President asked.

 

"We're getting an assist from the various state police departments, too," Andrea replied.

 

"Good work," the President said. "Does Holly know about this plan?"

 

"Not yet," Andrea replied. "I'll head back to the circus with my people tomorrow. I'll also remind them that we have no control over the show."

 

"Can you at least make suggestions?" Patrick asked.

 

"Yeah," Andrea replied. "Of course, they don't have to follow them. If you'll excuse me, gentlemen, I have a bunch of names to do background checks on."

[Vanguard00]

Re: A Secret Service Question, version 3.0

 

Question one' date=' would the background check done by the Secret Service bring Holly's job to light?[/quote']

Yep. Her basic situation would be known to them - job, marital status, etc. But they won't run a background check on HER unless her name comes up in a search (criminal databases, IRS issues, etc). They might not go in depth for the kids, but the FBI (it wouldn't be the secret service who runs the checks) would at least want to know if there's any criminal activity associated with 'em.

 

Question two, is he permitted to bring his wife and younger children with him?

Bring them where? The Vice President lives at Number One Observatory Circle. Yes, Jack's family could move in there--it's both expected and appropriate. If you're asking if Cathy and the kids can come to the White House with him, I don't think it'd be a problem, but they'd be restricted to certain areas--public/tourist routes, the office of the VP, etc. No wandering the halls.

 

Question three, how does Andrea protect Holly?

If Holly refuses protection there's not much Andrea can do about it. The best she could do would be to assign an agent or two to keep an eye on things in Holly's general location. They might keep tabs on her, run the protection like a stakeout (from a moderate distance), but I don't believe they're allowed to interfere with a family member's life unless there is clear evidence of danger (by "evidence" I don't mean tangible court-of-law style proof; a threat would be good enough). Now, this might necessitate a full-blown check on the circus and it's employees, as well, to ensure that there is no immediate threats to Holly's welfare or, by extension, the President.

 

The Secret Service is notoriously tight-lipped on means and methods of protection, so internet searches aren't coming up with much.

[Mark Rand]

Re: A Secret Service Question, version 3.0

 

Yep. Her basic situation would be known to them - job, marital status, etc. But they won't run a background check on HER unless her name comes up in a search (criminal databases, IRS issues, etc). They might not go in depth for the kids, but the FBI (it wouldn't be the secret service who runs the checks) would at least want to know if there's any criminal activity associated with 'em.

 

 

Bring them where? The Vice President lives at Number One Observatory Circle. Yes, Jack's family could move in there--it's both expected and appropriate. If you're asking if Cathy and the kids can come to the White House with him, I don't think it'd be a problem, but they'd be restricted to certain areas--public/tourist routes, the office of the VP, etc. No wandering the halls.

 

 

If Holly refuses protection there's not much Andrea can do about it. The best she could do would be to assign an agent or two to keep an eye on things in Holly's general location. They might keep tabs on her, run the protection like a stakeout (from a moderate distance), but I don't believe they're allowed to interfere with a family member's life unless there is clear evidence of danger (by "evidence" I don't mean tangible court-of-law style proof; a threat would be good enough). Now, this might necessitate a full-blown check on the circus and it's employees, as well, to ensure that there is no immediate threats to Holly's welfare or, by extension, the President.

 

The Secret Service is notoriously tight-lipped on means and methods of protection, so internet searches aren't coming up with much.

In regard to the background check on Holly, Cathy will offer to lend them the latest circus routebook and program/photo album.

 

As far as the second part goes, Jack, in this campaign, never was VP. He was the cabinet secretary that stayed in the White House, watching the State of the Union address on TV while the others were in the House chamber. Assuming Jack's family came with him the night the airliner came crashing into the Capitol Building, they'd probably be in one of the White House function rooms, not the Oval Office, Right?

 

As far as the third part goes, the only problem is the number of employees. The Ross Brothers circus employs around 150 people, some of which may work only for a week or two before becoming fed up with either the show, or the lifestyle and leave. One idea I had was to have two female agents assigned to Holly. One would stay as close to her as possible. The other would travel with Mary "Cowgirl" West, the show's 24-hour advance agent, to make sure there are no problems with the lot.

[Vanguard00]

Re: A Secret Service Question, version 3.0

 

Assuming Jack's family came with him the night the airliner came crashing into the Capitol Building' date=' they'd probably be in one of the White House function rooms, not the Oval Office, Right?[/quote']

Almost definitely. The odds of them being even near the Oval Office would be pretty slim, and unless there was a pertinent reason for them to be at the White House itself (short notice, etc) it's possible the Secret Service would have simply taken them to a nearby hotel (or wherever cabinet members go...I don't know that particular info).

As far as the third part goes, the only problem is the number of employees. The Ross Brothers circus employs around 150 people, some of which may work only for a week or two before becoming fed up with either the show, or the lifestyle and leave. One idea I had was to have two female agents assigned to Holly. One would stay as close to her as possible. The other would travel with Mary "Cowgirl" West, the show's 24-hour advance agent, to make sure there are no problems with the lot.

That seems plausible. The amount of employees wouldn't hinder the government from at least ensuring that none of the people were known criminals, though. Cursory checks on all employees would be performed as soon as their name was discovered--just a run through the database, basically. Minor crimes are likely to be ignored (speeding tickets, misdemeanor drug possession, etc), but capital offenses & violent crimes might flag an individual for a more thorough check.

 

What seems likely to me is that one agent would be assigned to Holly--keep an eye on her, accompany her wherever, etc, depending on how close Holly will let the agent get. The other agent would be a 'rover', assigned to keep an eye on the general location in whatever capacity you think is best, but almost definitely in the circus itself. It's doubtful they'd assign an agent as an advanced scout unless it was obviously necessary (potential threat, future location is known threat to security, etc). It's more likely they'd enlist the nearest FBI office and/or state and/or local law enforcement to do cursory checks as soon as the next location was known. That would simply a matter of resources. Note, too, that the Secret Service might learn of the location from having someone's phone tapped or similar method.

 

Remember that the Secret Service doesn't go undercover in the traditional sense, not when on protection detail. They won't dress up as clowns or anything of the sort. Casual civilian clothes, perhaps, but they'll always--ALWAYS--have a radio and a weapon on their person. It's part of the job description.

 

Lastly, I've seen several references to Secret Service personnel under oath refusing to detail activities of those they protect. Immorality, poor judgment, embarrassing situations, etc, are never, EVER made public by Secret Service personnel, and there's legislation in place to ensure that they never have to testify to anything other than security- or crime-related activity. I don't know if you knew that already but I thought I'd throw it in there in case it came up.

[Mark Rand]

Re: A Secret Service Question, version 3.0

 

Almost definitely. The odds of them being even near the Oval Office would be pretty slim, and unless there was a pertinent reason for them to be at the White House itself (short notice, etc) it's possible the Secret Service would have simply taken them to a nearby hotel (or wherever cabinet members go...I don't know that particular info).

 

That seems plausible. The amount of employees wouldn't hinder the government from at least ensuring that none of the people were known criminals, though. Cursory checks on all employees would be performed as soon as their name was discovered--just a run through the database, basically. Minor crimes are likely to be ignored (speeding tickets, misdemeanor drug possession, etc), but capital offenses & violent crimes might flag an individual for a more thorough check.

 

What seems likely to me is that one agent would be assigned to Holly--keep an eye on her, accompany her wherever, etc, depending on how close Holly will let the agent get. The other agent would be a 'rover', assigned to keep an eye on the general location in whatever capacity you think is best, but almost definitely in the circus itself. It's doubtful they'd assign an agent as an advanced scout unless it was obviously necessary (potential threat, future location is known threat to security, etc). It's more likely they'd enlist the nearest FBI office and/or state and/or local law enforcement to do cursory checks as soon as the next location was known. That would simply a matter of resources. Note, too, that the Secret Service might learn of the location from having someone's phone tapped or similar method.

 

Remember that the Secret Service doesn't go undercover in the traditional sense, not when on protection detail. They won't dress up as clowns or anything of the sort. Casual civilian clothes, perhaps, but they'll always--ALWAYS--have a radio and a weapon on their person. It's part of the job description.

 

Lastly, I've seen several references to Secret Service personnel under oath refusing to detail activities of those they protect. Immorality, poor judgment, embarrassing situations, etc, are never, EVER made public by Secret Service personnel, and there's legislation in place to ensure that they never have to testify to anything other than security- or crime-related activity. I don't know if you knew that already but I thought I'd throw it in there in case it came up.

As far as the Ryans being at the White House goes, according to what I remember from The West Wing, Jack has to be there, so that the Secret Service can, if necessary, get him to the Situation Room. Cathy and the kids might be in one of the function rooms while Jack's close to the Oval Office.

 

Holly will accept protection, if the Secret Service agrees not to try and run the circus. She'll let Connie, the agent that accompanies her, get as close as she needs to. In the big top, that means watching from near the back, or stage, door. If Connie wants to get closer, she'll have to wear the jumpsuit the animal caretakers wear and pretend to be one of them. The other caretakers will know she's an agent, but the patrons probably won't.

 

A related question here has to do with the radios Connie and her partner, James Marshall, carry. Since most of the time they're the only Secret Service agents in the area, are they carrying Secret Service radios or ones borrowed from the circus?

[Vanguard00]

Re: A Secret Service Question, version 3.0

 

A related question here has to do with the radios Connie and her partner' date=' James Marshall, carry. Since most of the time they're the only Secret Service agents in the area, are they carrying Secret Service radios or ones borrowed from the circus?[/quote']

Definitely their own equipment. Their local radios will have encryption to prevent casual listening whereas the circus radios' frequency could probably be found/tapped with relative ease by someone who knows what they're doing. Government services have their own special frequencies which are not available to the public per FCC regulation. The frequencies are even higher up the band than local law enforcement and emergency services. The agents will also likely have satellite radios/phones for regular contact with their supervisor/central/whatever, also encrypted.

[Mark Rand]

Re: A Secret Service Question, version 3.0

 

Definitely their own equipment. Their local radios will have encryption to prevent casual listening whereas the circus radios' frequency could probably be found/tapped with relative ease by someone who knows what they're doing. Government services have their own special frequencies which are not available to the public per FCC regulation. The frequencies are even higher up the band than local law enforcement and emergency services. The agents will also likely have satellite radios/phones for regular contact with their supervisor/central/whatever' date=' also encrypted.[/quote']

Didn't think of that.

 

They'd probably have show radios, too. That way, they could call the show's doctor and nurse if Holly's injured.

 

The big top has two entrances. The front door is where the public enters. The back door is the stage entrance. On its left, as you're facing ring number two (center ring) is a seat wagon. On the right is the cat run, when it's set up. Just beyond this is the bandstand, which also houses the big top's puvlic address system, and, externally, the main junction box for the big top.

 

Each seat wgon trailer is 8-feet wide when the seats are closed and 20-feet wide when the're unfolded. This leaves space for people to walk behind them. The one just to the left of the back door is the wardrobe area. When animals are in the big top, the show's vet, Rumiko Nishigawa, D.V.M., who wears black clothing, watches them from here. Circus patriarch David Michael Ross also sits here. His lawn chair is on the near the driver's side of the seat wagon tractor while Rumiko stands near the passanger's side.

[Mark Rand]

Re: A Secret Service Question, version 3.0

 

For those who are interested, here are a few numbers I crunched.

 

According to the circus contracts, some of which are signed years in advance, the lot is to be, at a minimum, 600 feet by 600 feet. That's 360,000 square feet.

 

The big top, stake line to stake line, is 243.5 feet by 124.5 feet. That's 30315.75 square feet.

The big top takes up 8% of the lot.

 

Diana's cannon shot covers 203.5 feet. The measurment is taken, on the ground, from the front bumper of the cannon truck to the center of the net.

[Mark Rand]

Re: A Secret Service Question, version 3.0

 

Connie, Agent Connie Wells, an African-American woman, has decided to follow Rumiko's style and wear black clothes. On days when a jacket isn't practical, she keeps her pistol in a hip pack that's designed to permit a fast draw. Her three radios (circus, regular Secret Service, and satellite) clip to her belt.

While in the tent during a performance, she's decided to stand beside Rumiko.

 

She, James Marshall, and Andrea Price became less concerned about Rumiko's ability to mentally talk to animals when they discovered that it has a two meter range.

 

Rumiko's backpack, with it's compressed air pistol and trank darts (in two different compartments) are within easy reach of either woman.

 

Rumiko's compressed air rifle, on the other hand, is in a locked case in the sleeper compartment of the semi that houses Rumiko's clinic.

[Mark Rand]

Re: A Secret Service Question, version 3.0

 

Just a heads up. In the near future, I'll be posting here, in story form, the day the Secret Service came to the Ross Brothers Circus's winterquarters.

[Mark Rand]

Re: A Secret Service Question, version 3.0

 

"Remember, Holly has the right to refuse protection," Secret Service agent Andrea Price told her two fellow agents James Marshall and Connie Wells.

 

"We know, Andrea," Jim said as he drove his motorhome along the road that split the Ross Brothers Circus winterquarters in half.

 

"The Oklahoma State Police are out in force," Connie, an African-American woman who's braided black hair fell between her jaw and shoulders.

 

"That's good," Andrea said as Jim, following the posted signs, pulled onto a driveway. As they climbed out, a police officer walked over to them.

 

"Help you, folks?" the officer asked.

 

"Secret Service," Andrea replied as all three showed their IDs.

 

"Circus office is that way," the officer said, pointing.

 

"Thank you," Andrea said.

 

"You're welcome," the officer said.

 

Once inside the office, they saw a group of people at desks and a door at the rear. "Yes?" a middle-aged man asked.

 

"We're with the Secret Service," Andrea said, placing her ID on the desk. Jim and Connie followed suit.

 

The man examined them, and said, "Very well. I'm David Michael Ross, one of the show's owners. What can I do for you?"

[Mark Rand]

Re: A Secret Service Question, version 3.0

 

"Now that Holly's father is the President, I'm hoping she'll come back to Washington with us," Andrea replied.

 

"No way," came a voice from behind them. Turning, they saw a tall woman with waist-length blonde hair, a Japanese woman with waist-length black hair and wearing black clothes.

 

Recognising Holly from photographs Cathy'd given her, Andrea passed Holly her ID and said, "I had to try."

 

"I know," Holly laughed before introducing Dr. Rumiko Nishigawa, the show's vet.

 

"Will you let us protect you?" Andrea asked.

 

"Sure, as long as you don't try and run the circus," Holly replied.

 

"Agreed," Andrea said.

 

"Fine," Holly returned, taking a key ring from a pocket and passing it to Andrea. "This is for the motorhome Matt and I share. The license plate number's on the ring."