“True, but what can we do about it?” Tony Jackson asked.

Waldorf suddenly signaled with a chopping motion of his left hand, and the two immediately stopped their conversation.

“What can I get you, gentlemen?” asked the waitress.

She was medium height, a little on the chunky side and with short, spiked blonde hair. The stud pierced into the center of her tongue gave a slur to her speech and Stanley wondered if she was going to start drooling.

“Nothing,” Stanley said contemptuously.

“I'll have a Diet Coke,” Tony said.

Clearly disappointed with the minimal order, the waitress left to fill the order.

“I don't know, but something needs to be done,” said Stanley.

“What if we were to go to the newspapers? I know a guy at the Washington Times who would love to be the first one to get this information. By the time Williams found out, it would be too late. They couldn't fire us, or the cover-up would look even worse,” Tony suggested.

“True, that might be a good idea,” Waldorf agreed, “but I want to talk to Williams before we do anything. Maybe he knows more than he's said, but I think it's imperative this information comes out.”

After thirty minutes of further discussion, it was agreed that Waldorf would approach his boss in the morning and learn whatever he could.

At 0830 the following day, Administrator Williams was seated at his desk drinking his morning coffee when Stanley walked in and closed the door.

“You got a minute boss?” asked Waldorf.

Williams looked up, irritation visible on his face. There wasn't much in the world he liked less than being interrupted in his office by an unexpected visitor.

“You've got one minute. I've got stuff I'm working on,” answered Williams.

Waldorf slumped into a chair. “Tony Jackson and I have been talking about this comet. We have a big problem with information this critical being kept from the public,” he explained.

“You think we should just tell everyone that the world is coming to an end? Can you imagine the chaos? There'd be panicking, riots, people would stop working. The whole infrastructure of the country, no, of the entire world, would collapse! Do you think that's a good idea? This way at least people can enjoy the last few years they have, instead of living in panic and fear!” shouted Williams.

Waldorf had never seen the boss react this way, but he forged on. “People still have a right to know. Tony wants to go to the media, and I agree with him.” As he spoke, he saw the color drain from his boss's face and the anger on his face disappeared, replaced by worry.

There was a long pause before Williams spoke again. “I'll make a deal with you. Keep this quiet for one more week. I'll make some calls to the people who are dealing with this thing and tell them we need some answers. I promise I'll keep you informed. Deal?”