Do you want to check over these appointments, Mrs. Augustine? Not particularly. Oh all right, Elizabeth, let me see them. Yes, yes. What about this United Jewish Appeal luncheon tomorrow? Do you think I really have to attend?

How can I tell you that, Mrs. Augustine?

I suppose you can’t, can you. It’s just that there are so many decisions to make and it would be nice to have someone help me make a few of them. The small ones, at least.

I understand.

Do you? Then give me your opinion on the UJA luncheon. Should I attend?

Well, yes, I believe you should It was scheduled three months ago, remember. And after the President’s press conference this morning, it might create the wrong impression if the First Lady were to cancel out.

You’re right, of course. Elizabeth?

Yes, Mrs Augustine?

About the press conference. What did you think of the President’s remarks on Israel?

Oh, well, I’m sure he didn’t mean them as they were interpreted by the press.

Certainly he didn’t. It’s just that he’s been under a terrible strain recently. We’ve all been under a terrible strain these past few months.

Yes, I know.

Why do you say it like that?. So gravely, with that troubled look in your eyes.

I’m not troubled, Mrs. Augustine.

But you are. You’ve been my confidential secretary for a long time; I know you fairly well. Something is bothering you.

It’s… nothing I can explain, exactly.

I’d like you to try.

Well, it’s just a feeling that something is… wrong here in the White House.

Wrong?

Yes. It’s like an undercurrent, a feeling of… oh, this sounds melodramatic, but a feeling of strangeness, of impending tragedy.

Tragedy? What sort of tragedy?