[Ranma][Fanfic] Modern Dynasty Side Story 2: Too Close to Call ======================================================================= November 7, 2000 "NBC News is projecting that California goes to Vice-President Gore," a tired looking Tom Brokaw said. He sat in front of a map of the United States with each state colored red, white, or blue. California was just turning blue, while Oregon and New Mexico were in white. Just over Tom Brokaw's shoulder, the shattered outline of Florida sat forgotten decked out in blue. "Oregon and New Mexico are still too close to call, but with California's fifty-four electoral votes Vice-President Gore's electoral total is now two hundred and eighty." He looked up from his notes at the camera. "So at this moment, NBC News is projecting that Al Gore will be the forty-third President of the United States." ======================================================================= Modern Dynasty Side Story 2 Too Close to Call Ranma 1/2 characters/situations created and copyright by Rumiko Takahashi/Shogakukan/Kitty/Fuji/Viz - Used without permission George W. Bush created by George and Barbara Bush - Used without permission Albert Gore Jr. created by Albert Gore Sr. and Pauline Gore - Used without permission All real-life characters in this work of parody are not intended to be accurate reflections of their true persona and may not really act like buffoons in real life. Any similarities to their actual personalities and lack of morals or honor are purely coincidental. Modern Dynasty series created, written, and copyright 1998-2001 by Jim Lazar This Modern Dynasty side story is best read after all chapters of my Childhood of a Modern Dynasty series and the first seven chapters of Adulthood of a Modern Dynasty. There are also spoilers for those chapters contained within this side story. E-mail comments and/or criticisms to: jim [at] animeprime.com Make sure to check out my Modern Dynasty website for all released Modern Dynasty stories, graphics files, and other information: http://www.animeprime.com/ff/md ======================================================================= "What a difference a good night's sleep makes," Tom Brokaw said, looking extremely tired and like he hadn't actually gotten any sleep himself, mostly since he had only just dozed off when his producer called him to tell him he was needed back in the studio. But the show must go on. "Many people, including myself, went to bed last night believing Al Gore would be the next President of the United States." He straightened, as if steeling himself. "But this morning all that has changed and NBC News is calling the election too close to call." "Let me summarize events of last night for those viewers who are just waking up and tuning in." Last night, at one fifty-two a.m. eastern standard time, NBC News projected Vice President Al Gore to have been elected the next president of the United States. Shortly after, Governor George W. Bush reportedly called the Vice-President to concede the election." "Sources close to the Gore campaign have told us that Vice President Gore was on his way to make his victory speech when Governor Bush called him back and retracted his concession, stating that there were uncertainties in the election returns that had come to light." The screen showed some workers cleaning up an empty stage in Tennessee and then in Texas. "So both campaigns scrapped plans for a concession or a victory speech last night." "Various newspapers put their front page to bed before it became known that Bush would not be conceding the election." He held up a copy of the New York Times, whose headline read 'Gore Wins!'. Then he followed up with the San Francisco Chronicle's 'Gore declared winner!'. "When it became clear that the election wasn't as clear-cut as we all thought, the San Francisco Chronicle quickly stopped their presses and only about two thousand papers were printed with their original headline. Only time will tell if these papers will become collectors' items, but they do show how a rush to judgment can cause great confusion." He turned towards the camera and tried his best to look apologetic. "For my own part in this, I apologize." ** click ** "Jake Spreckle, MSNBC News reporting from Austin, Texas. James Baker has been asked to address reporters here at the request of Governor Bush. He is expect to explain what..." The reporter turned his head towards the podium as an older man with gray, thin hair stepped up to it. "Ah... here he is now." James Baker adjusted the microphone and then cleared his throat. "Thank you all for coming. As you know, last night the networks projected Al Gore to be the next President of the United States. "Unfortunately, they didn't take the close contest in one large state into account and Governor Bush was forced to withdrawal his concession and has asked me to oversee the situation. "We have also asked for a manual recount of those votes to make sure they are accurate. Although the machine count is usually enough to give an accurate result in most elections, only by a human looking at each vote can the true intent of the voter be determined in such a close race. Florida Secretary of State Kathryn Harris has granted our request and indicated she will personally oversee the recount so that they can be completed as quickly as possible. She even indicated she will extend the deadline if needed." ** click ** "That was James Baker for the Bush campaign earlier today," a young woman with short hair said and turned towards a skinny man with short hair across the news desk from her. "Here with me now is CNN analyst Jeffery Warner. What can you tell us about the situation in Florida, Jeffrey?" "Well, Carol, in a normal election such low numbers wouldn't be a concern, but the Bush team is concerned that Florida's twenty-five electoral votes will go to Gore based on the extremely small turnout in the Florida election." "Why was the turnout so low?" Carol asked, already knowing the answer since it was on the teleprompter. "Well, that is a result of the events of late last year." Jeffery paused and took a deep breath. "With the destruction of most of Florida after the explosion of the First Monolith, most people who once called Florida home have moved away to other states and registered to vote there." "I see." "With reconstruction still underway in northern Florida, there are only a small number of Florida residents still actually living in Florida. Most of the other Floridians have already changed their residency and registered to vote in other states, so the few people still living in northern Florida were the only ones casting their votes yesterday." "Why haven't Florida's twenty-five electoral votes been reallocated to other states then?" "Well, the electoral votes are apportioned based on the latest census. With the results of the two thousand census still not available, the only numbers to use are from the nineteen-ninety census. Unfortunately, in the aftermath of the Buyierfei's devastating attack on the southern United States and with all on the reconstruction of Florida, no one considered that the Presidential election could be affected to such a degree." ** click ** Al Gore was dressed in a dark suit as he stepped up to the podium. Two American flags were set up behind him. "Hello, America. Last night we found out that the election was very close due to some unforeseen circumstances. Although I won the popular vote across all fifty states and have enough electoral votes to be the next president, Governor Bush believes that the Florida's twenty-five electoral votes--which I was awarded as provided by the Constitution--shouldn't be counted when the Electoral College meets." He shook his head sadly, like a teacher scolding a kindergartner for wetting his pants. "Unfortunately, this is not how our Constitution works and what Governor Bush is asking for is to change the rules after the election is over, which--as you know--is not allowed under our great Constitution." ** click ** George W. Bush was dressed in a brown suit as he stepped up to the podium. Three American flags were set up behind him. "My fellow Americans, last night I believe I was elected to be the next President of the United States. I am saddened, that Vice President Gore feels that the votes of three thousand nine hundred and thirty residents of Florida should count more than every other person in America." "I find this outragable. If the electoral votes were reallocatable based on the number of residents who are actually living in Florida and where the suffering refugees of Florida took up residence after President Clinton forced them out of their homes earlier this year, then my advisors assure me that I would have the required two-hundred and seventy electoral votes to become the next President of the United States." "Although we do not wish to settle this in the courts, we have submitted a brief to the United States Supreme Court asking them to rule on the legitimacy of Florida's estimated eighteen-thousand remaining residents deciding such a close election." He tried to look noble, but ended up looking like he was glaring at the television viewers. "I'm also directing James Baker to oversee a recounting of the votes in Florida, so we can be sure that the will of the voters is known." ** click ** A young woman sat at a news desk with an older gentleman. "According to sources inside both campaigns, the call Governor Bush placed to retract his concession started with Governor Bush explaining the situation." The older man nodded. "To which, Vice President Gore reportedly replied, 'Let me get this straight... you're retracting your concession?'. Governor Bush replied in the affirmative." "Gore then added that his advisors assured him that there was no doubt that he would be the next president." "To which Bush replied, 'I'm sorry, but my brother assures me that his state's twenty five electoral votes are not valid'." "And Gore replied, 'Your little brother is not the authority on this'." "The call ended after Bush replied, 'No need to get snippy'." ** click ** A small room was filled with five people, who were holding up small cards and peering at little holes and indentions on the cards. "Gore," one of the men said as he put the latest card on a pile of other cards. "No, that was Bush!" a young man said, looking like he had just gotten out of Yale and flown to Florida in a private jet chartered by the Bush campaign, mostly since he was. "Bush? The chad is hanging near Gore's hole!" a middle-aged black woman insisted. "But there's an indention on the Bush chad!" The scene shifted back to a news studio. "That was a brief view of events today as Florida election officials recounted the ballots along with Republican and Democratic observers." The newsreader looked at his notes, even if his script was actually on the teleprompter. "They expect the roughly eight-thousand votes to be counted by the Friday deadline, but Governor Bush has requested an extension just to make sure all the votes can be counted without any haste that could cause errors to be made. Kathryn Harris has granted his request." He turned towards another camera for no reason. "The lawyers for Vice President Gore have filed suit in Florida State Circuit Court to stop the recounting and retract the extension." ** click ** "I am very disappointed that Vice President Gore has resorted to the courts to stop the recounting of votes in Florida," Governor Bush said in front of five American flags. "With regret, we have decided to appeal the case to the District Federal Appeals Court." ** click ** "Good evening. Since the Bush campaign was first to file a lawsuit with the U.S. Supreme Court-" Warren Christopher began his latest press conference. "-we find it very ironic that they are complaining about our court case that simply aimed to avoid the potential for ballots to be tampered with during the recount." He held up a picture of some brown substance with little flakes of yellow in it. "As you can see from this stool sample of one of the Republican observers, we believe they are removing chads from the counting room." ** click ** "That stool sample was obtained illegally when they bypassed the toilet in the building where the votes were being recounted and..." ** click ** "The original owner of that stool sample relinquished any claim to it when he pulled the handle on the toilet." ** click ** "I have always and will always consider that stool sample my property." ** click ** "My advisors assured me that there was no doubt that I would be the next president," Gore said slowly. Bush sighed into the phone. "I'm sorry, but my brother assures me that his state's twenty five electoral votes are not valid." "Your little brother is not the final authority on this," Gore replied. "No need to get snippy, old man." "At least I know how to pronounce Kuwait." "It's kumquat." "Your old man can't even walk without breaking his hip." "Well... your old man's dead." "You bastard!!" "Sticks and stones will break my father's bones, but names will only hurt me." "That's 'will never hurt me'." "Oh, shove your fancy book learning up your pie hole!" Gore gasped and staggered back. George W. Bush giggled. "I said pie hole." "I'll tell your mother!!" "You snitch!" "George W!! You get to bed now!!" Barbara Bush called. "Awww... Mom!!" George W said, storming away. Vice President Gore straightened his tie and smiled at the camera. "Live from New York, it's Saturday Night!!" ** click ** "And the final tally on the recounted votes and the absentee votes is..." the middle-aged election worker paused. "Three thousand, seven hundred and forty-five for Governor Bush and three thousand, seven hundred and forty-eight for Gore." The assembled reporters all gasped in surprise. "So by three votes, Vice-President Gore retains Florida's twenty-five electoral votes." ** click ** "Today, after she initially refused to do so, the Florida Supreme Court ordered Secretary of State, Kathryn Harris, to certify the final election count and declare Vice-President Gore the winner of Florida's twenty-five electoral votes." ** click ** "After refusing to certify the election results, Kathryn Harris was ruled in contempt of court and arrested today. "After being informed that she couldn't take her makeup with her, she reportedly slugged two prison guards and escaped from custody. "People in the area of the state prison are advised not to pick up any hitchhikers with running mascara or smudged lipstick." ** click ** "Today, the Florida legislature authorized a second set of electors after the Florida Supreme Court certified the election in Vice-President Gore's favor. "No one is sure what will happen when the U.S. Congress is faced with two sets of electors from Florida, but they are sure that it won't be pretty. "And after the ugliness of the Kathryn Harris Revlon heist, this story could use something pretty." ** click ** "Monica Lewinski has agreed to pose nude in Erect Cigar magazine for a six-pack of Budweiser and a stain-proof dress." ** click ** "Senator Clinton denies it, but sources have indicated that her brother-in-law, Roger Clinton, is part owner in a magazine publisher that..." ** click ** "Faced with two sets of electors for Florida, the House of Representatives voted to accept the Bush electors and the Senate split fifty-fifty along party lines about which electors to accept. Not unsurprisingly, Vice-President Gore cast the tie-breaking vote in his own favor. "This leaves the two sides of Congress at odds, with little chance of them agreeing to a resolution to the current constitutional crisis." ** click ** Governor George W. Bush stood in front of a dozen flags and continued his speech with a lopsided smile plastered on his face. "...and since I do not feel it's appropriate for a president to take office solely on the basis of his own vote, I have no other recourse by to appeal the Senate's vote on this matter the U.S. Supreme Court, who our forefathers entrusted with the final say on these matters." He smiled more. "Thank you, and good night." ** click ** Al Gore stood in front of two dozen American flags. "Governor Bush's latest attempt to change the outcome of this election is just drawing out the inevitable outcome." "While I strongly disagree with his bringing the U.S. Supreme Court into this, I will abide by their decision. I only hope that Governor Bush will do the same, regardless of the outcome." ** click ** "Mr. Baker, will Governor Bush accept the decision of the Supreme Court as the final word in this matter?" James Baker shook his head. "It wouldn't be prudent at this juncture for us to comment on that." "What other option do you have if the Supreme Court goes against your case? "We are confident we will be victorious in front of the Supreme Court." "Because there are more Republican nominated Judges on the present Court?" "Don't be silly, we know the Court will decide this case based on the facts in a fair and unbiased decision." ** click ** "I have the following statement to read. The U.S. Supreme Court has reviewed all the evidence and after hearing testimony from both sides has reached the following ruling. "Four justices voted to accept the electors approved by the Senate, four to accept the electors approved by the House, and one justice abstained from voting." The reporters gathered in front of the court admin all gasped at the unexpected result. Some of them started to scream into their cell phones, while others ran towards their camera crew to report. Still others stayed to grab the official ruling document. ** click ** "So what does this mean, Ralph?" A middle-aged man raised his head from the news desk and looked at the way-too-perky female newsreader with his weary eyes. "I don't care any more. I just want this to end." The woman looked around nervously, uncertain how to proceed. The expert always talked at this point leaving her to nod thoughtfully. "Um... well... then if... um..." ** click ** Governor Bush stood in front of fifty American flags, each paired with a state flag. Directly behind his podium, could be seen the state flags of Texas and Florida. This was not by accident, of course. "Good evening, America. "Yesterday, the Supreme Court deadlocked in a decision that would have settled this election once and for all. Although I have no evidence of this, I believe Vice-President Gore was personally responsible for Justice Scalia losing the keys to his car, and thus being unable to vote in this important decision. "I have always and will always respect the rule of law, but since the highest court in the land has been unable to rule in my favor, I have to ask Vice-President Gore to do the right thing and withdraw his attempts to change the results of this election and concede for the good of the country." ** click ** "After hearing Governor Bush's speech today, one close aide indicated that President Elect Gore almost choked on his dinner as he rolled on the floor, laughing." ** click ** "Faced with too many electors and no end in sight to legal challenges, the Electoral College was set to meet today when at the last minute the U.S. Supreme Court finally ruled on Vice-President Gore's appeal of Governor Bush's appeal of Vice-President Gore's appeal of... um... where was I? "Anyway, today's Supreme Court unanimous decision upheld the Florida Law concerning ties in elections. "After arguing about the method of drawing 'lots', the two candidates faced off on the steps of the capitol." "Paper." "Rock! Hee... hee... I win!!" "No, paper beats rock." "No way!!" Vice-President Gore looked towards the camera. "Live From Washington D.C., it's the two-thousand election!" Governor Bush chuckled. "Hee... hee... you blew it. It's live from New York, it's Saturday night!!" ** click ** "Although some past-their-prime Saturday night variety shows have made fun of the situation, Vice-President Gore and Governor Bush have both agreed to draw 'lots' in accordance with Florida law in light of the unanimous decision... finally... of the U.S. Supreme Court." "And the winner is..." -M- -D- January 15th, 2001 Akane sighed as she lowered the newspaper she had been reading and put it into the pocket in the seat in front of her. She and her family were on their way back from the Amazon village after their attempts to hide from a possible New Year's Eve Buyierfei attack became just a great big party. For the Amazons, Saotomes, and Tendos, this meant that the amount of damage was slightly less than a typical Buyierfei attack. She looked to her left and saw Ranko snoozing against the airplane's bulkhead. Looking to her left, she saw Ranma trying to keep Yohachi from pulling off little Daiji's nose. "The Buyierfei have even made a mess out of the American election." Ranma pulled Yohachi onto his lap and looked over at Akane. "Yeah, I know. I'm sure it'll be okay." "I hope so. It's just a bit unnerving that they could affect something as routine as the American presidential election." Ranma smiled. "You never know, maybe the election would have hinged on Florida anyway and the two candidates would have done almost the exact same things in order to become president." Akane chuckled. "Not likely. Nothing like that could have happened in a million years if not for the Buyierfei's attack." Ranma reached across the aisle and took Akane's hand. "It's the third millennium now and still no signs of the Buyierfei returning, so relax." Akane smiled. "You're right, I'll try." Ranma smiled. "Good. This is just a small hiccup, I'm sure the world will get back to normal soon enough." Ranko nodded her agreement. "Yeah, even the American's political system can't get any screwier than this." -M- -D- January 21st, 2001 As two hundred American flags waved behind him, the new President took the oath of office. "I, Albert Gore Junior, do solemnly affirm that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States." -M- -D- President Al Gore's Inauguration Speech - January 21, 2001 "We face a future of happiness and prosperity, but only if we make the right choices now. "Over the past two years, our nation and world has faced a challenge unlike any other in human history. After the Buyierfei devastated Florida and changed the face of the Moon, some people thought we should forego reconstruction in Florida and prepare for their next attack. "We have done both. "My first act as President will be to re-authorize the emergency executive order President Clinton signed in early two-thousand to fund the rebuilding of Florida's infrastructure and make our twenty-seventh state the paradise it once was. In addition, several private companies have already expressed interest in helping the government's efforts. "To me, if we leave it a wasteland would be the same as surrendering to the Buyierfei. "That is something I will not do. "While we rebuild from the destruction caused in ninety-nine, we must also prepare our armed forces to combat the Blackness should it return. Like my predecessor, I will ask Congress to expand the military budget. Never again can we be caught unprepared to fight such demons. "Now is not a time for this country to be divided by political quibbles like the ones that marred this last election. "Now is the time for all Americans to unite. "To rebuild what was destroyed. "To prevent any more destruction. "And to learn from our past mistakes. "It is for these reasons that I propose that the United States, and the world, should embark on a grand undertaking. "The rebuilding and reconstruction of Florida. The Walt Disney Company has already promised the governor of Florida and myself their full support in rebuilding the now-oceanfront Disney World Resort. One small step for the restoration of one small part of our world. "The training and equipping of our armed forces to combat the Blackness, should it return; from basic sword training to the high tech equipment needed for us to defend ourselves the Buyierfei. The steps of many soldiers for the protection of mankind. "And finally... "We must return to a place we once visited briefly many moons ago. "The Moon. "As the halo of debris that now orbits our once unchanging neighbor in space reminds us every night, it's not the same Moon Neil Armstrong visited over thirty years ago. Another giant leap for mankind is needed. "Scientists have already learned many things using Earth-based telescopes and the Amazon.com lunar surveyor that now orbits the Moon, but only with a manned mission to the Moon can we fully explore the new surface and discover what the extent of the Buyierfei's interest in the Moon was. "I feel these three challenges are ones that we must accomplish as a nation, or we will forever be looking at the past and won't be prepared for the future." -M- -D- May 3rd, 2003 "Today our flag loses a star. While I regret the decision to dissolve the state of Florida, the economics and logistics of the reconstruction has forced us to bring the people and resources of Georgia and Alabama into the equation to meet our restoration goals. "I had hoped the infusion of capitol from the sale of the Orlando wasteland to the Walt Disney Corporation would be enough to save this great state, but without a functioning industrial base I have to accept the fact that Florida is no longer viable as a separate state. "As such, I have agreed to the terms of the twenty-ninth amendment to the U.S. Constitution that revoked Florida's statehood. "As my last act as governor of the great state of Florida, I lower the State Flag for the last time." Jeb Bush stepped over to the flagpole and in front of the assembled dignitaries and citizens of the former state of Florida, he lowered the flag. Two soldiers stepped forward and helped remove and fold the flag. Handing it back to Ex-governor Bush, they saluted him. Jeb Bush nodded and turned back to the audience. "Along with other memorabilia, this flag will grace the halls of the Smithsonian Institution as a reminder of the rich history of this great state that is no more." ** click ** "Today, Jeb Bush announced his intention to seek the Republican nomination for the Presidency of the United States. What do you think of this announcement coming only a day after Florida was officially dissolved as a state, Mark?" The camera panned away from the middle-aged woman and settled on a younger man. "Well, he obviously wants to cash in on the publicity surrounding him and the coverage of the final days of Florida." "Do you think he wants to take his brother's place after that unfortunate incident with the bull on George W's ranch?" Mark nodded. "More than likely. The United States isn't ready for a President who was castrated by an angry bull." "Well, that was what George W. was trying to do when the bull gored him." Mark's stern demeanor faltered and he smirked. "I wish you hadn't put it that way." "Huh?" "That the bull GOREd him." The two commentators broke down laughing, forcing the director's jaw to drop as he fumbled for the controls to cut to commercial. -M- -D- April 4, 2005 "With this step-" The English voice paused as a heavy boot set foot on the gray surface. "-Mankind returns to the Moon after thirty-two years." The camera--which was mounted on a small remote controlled rover--zoomed out to show the space-suited figure take some more steps away from the lander behind him. The lander was very lightweight and covered with golden foil like the original lunar landers used during the Apollo Moon landings. But it was over three times as big, more ruggedly constructed, and oblong instead of spherical. The upper section was roughly the size and shape of a small bus, with a series of windows in front arranged around a pack of equipment, at least one of which was a video camera. The most prominent feature of the lander was the 'Microsoft' logo emblazoned across the side. Needless to say, NASA had had to accept corporate sponsorship to pull off the mission. In exchange for an undisclosed amount plus computer equipment and software, Microsoft got its name all over the biggest event of the new millennium. Well, the biggest event thus far. Of course, the landing was inspired by the biggest event of the former millennium. The spacesuited figure looked around the vast plane of gray spread out before him. "It looks calm here, the landing site chosen appears to be free of the sharp boulders and uneven terrain that are evident in the areas that were heavily blasted in ninety-nine." He looked back at the lander and studied the small pits and gouges in the outer metal plating. "Houston, it looks like the lander got through the debris field with only minor impact damage. We'll begin our examination of the area and give a detailed report of the lander's condition as soon as the others join me on the surface." "Roger that, proceed according to plan." "Harry, the LEM looks stable. Begin your E.V.A." "Understood, we'll be..." was the response received, but was interrupted by a loud beep. "Damn! The computer crashed again. Damn Windows two thousand and three! Hold on... Let's see... control-alt-delete..." Microsoft shares plummeted. While he waited for his fellow astronauts, the first figure looked up at the disc of the Earth. "The debris field is obscuring the view of Earth, but it's still a gorgeous sight." He tilted his body up to allow the camera on his shoulder to show the Earth. Small specks drifted by the still blue-green disc that they had left orbit from three days earlier. An even finer dust gave the sky a grayish tint, instead of the dark black that the first astronauts saw from the Moon's surface. -M- -D- Al and Tipper Gore sat in the living room of their home in Tennessee, watching the Moon landing on a widescreen television. "I had hoped to be watching this from the White House," Al said wistfully. Tipper patted her husband's hand. "I know dear, but you brought this country through a troubled time and will remembered for your great work. The economy has never been stronger and you'll always be remembered for taking us back to the Moon." She pointed at the image on the screen. Al sighed. "Well, at least that Texan never got a chance to run again." "Let it rest, dear. President Cheney gave you credit in his speech when the astronauts left the space station on their way to the Moon." "I should have never went along with the Republicans in revoking Florida's statehood." "Dear, you know that the re-allotment of Florida's electoral votes probably didn't make a difference in this election." -M- -D- "My fellow Americans," President Cheney began his speech in front of a forty-nine star flag. "With the safe return of our Astronauts from their very important mission to the Moon, we can now rest easy in the knowledge that there is no sign of Buyierfei activity on the Moon's surface." "Vice-President Jeb Bush greeted the returning astronauts upon their return to the Georgia Keys. He assures me they are healthy and in good spirits." "As I promised during the past election, I would not let the gains of the past four years go for naught. With the threat of the Buyierfei no longer looming over us, I envision a new challenge for America and the human race." "I intend to send a team of astronauts to Mars in the culmination of age old dreams and to extend our knowledge of the universe and our part within it." "Utilizing the infrastructure built to restore NASA's launch ability from the Georgia Keys and expand the International Space Station into a orbital launch platform, I am assured this is an achievable goal in the next decade." -M- -D- July 4th, 2005 "I am proud to be here for the reopening and applaud all the workers responsible for the reconstruction of the former state of Florida and this magnificent resort," Ex-President Gore declared as he slipped a giant pair of scissors over a large red, white, and blue ribbon. "I declare the new Magic Kingdom at the new Disney World Resort open." He cut the ribbon and then smiled broadly as hundreds of kids rushed by him. "Welcome to the happiest place on earth, once again." He put his arm around his wife and squeezed her shoulder. "Let's go check out the new Pleasure Island." "Are you sure? Bill is opening that island." Al Gore shuddered. "Hillary really needs to keep him on a shorter leash or she'll miss out on her chance at the presidency or vice-presidency in two-thousand and eight." Tipper smiled. "I think Hillary has that all worked out already." -M- -D- January 21st, 2009 "Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you the new President and Vice-President of the United States of America, President Hogan and Vice-President Rodham." -M- -D- April 4, 2009 The last thing on Akane Tendo-Saotome's mind as she looked out over the Paris skyline was politics, especially the twists and turns that had shaped America's presidential elections since ninety-nine. She was happily married with four children and a large extended family, the battles of ninety-nine a faint memory that were best left in the past as she celebrated her tenth dual wedding anniversary with a week in Paris. Ranma had wanted to wait until January first to celebrate--that being HIS anniversary with Akane after all--but Akane wanted to enjoy a week in Paris during spring, not winter. She sighed contently as she let the night air fill her lungs, her sheer negligee flapping in the slight night breeze. "It's so beautiful and peaceful here." A pair of arms wrapped themselves around her slim waist. "Yes, but it pales in comparison to your beauty." Akane smiled and sighed contently. Another pair of arms wrapped themselves around Akane. "Paris is only beautiful when you're with the one you love." "The two she loves, you mean." "Yeah, whatever." Akane giggled and slid around to face her two husbands. "See, I told you Paris would be better than going to the new Disney World." Ranma flinched and looked askew at Ranko, who had been the one to suggest Disney World when they were discussing where to go for their tenth anniversary. "I really don't want to go back there, they may try to get me to finish out my contract." Ranko laughed. "That'd just leave me more time to be alone with my wife." "Well, just don't try to monopolize her on this trip. This is a honeymoon for all three of us, you know." Ranko shook her hand to calm down Ranma. "Yeah, yeah... I know. It almost seems like our lives together is too perfect." "You complaining?" Ranko shook her head. Akane smiled. "Speaking of sharing, there's something I'd like you both to try." She grabbed their hands and pulled them into the bedroom, a sultry look on her face. Two loud gulps echoed across the Paris skyline as the French doors to the balcony closed. Moments late, two voices called out. "No way!!" [End - Modern Dynasty Side Story 2] ======================================================================= The author's notes/ramblings: Back when I was finishing up Childhood of a Modern Dynasty, I had always planed that the destruction of Florida would impact the 2000 election for President. Once the real winner was known, I had planned to write a side story that had the other candidate winning due to the low voter turnout in the remains of Florida. But truth is stranger than fiction sometimes. Imagine my surprise when Florida actually affected the presidential election on the same scale as I had planned to write the side story on. I almost decided not to write this side story considering all the real twisted events that occurred in November and December of 2000, but decided it was too good of a story to pass up. Needless to say, this side story became even more ironic and more twisted as the real events unfolded. To really screw things up, I gave them my own personal twist to fit them in with my Modern Dynasty series. Yes, the major events in this story to be part of the Modern Dynasty canon. This includes: who wins the various elections, the fact that the destruction of Florida caused the election to be contested, Florida losing it's statehood, the Moon landing (heck, the Moon landing section in this side story was taken straight from AMD chapter 1), and Akane's tenth dual-wedding anniversary. But I reserve the right to disavow some of the more silly parts of this story (such as Monica Lewinski's nude layout in Erect Cigar magazine and the castration of George W) should these bits of insanity ever come back to haunt me or bite me on my ass. I hope you enjoyed this side story. Someday I may expand on that honeymoon too. ;-) I'd like to thank my pre-readers Michael A. Chase, David Johnston, Thomas C. Kinnen, and Micki Hibiki for helping me find and fix problems with this story. Thank you all. Of course in the end, any mistakes and botched characters are my fault. Revision 0.0 - Rough draft began (December 17, 2000) Revision 0.1 - Rough draft finished (March 18, 2001) Revision 0.3 - Pre-reader draft (March 20, 2001) Revision 0.4 - Almost final version (April 4, 2001) Revision 1.0 - Final version (April 14, 2001) Revision 1.1 - First RAAC posting (April 26, 2001)