By the next morning, all over the world, as if by some stroke of magic, there was a veritable forest of posters, billboards, bumper stickers, and yard signs, all printed in red letters that proclaimed “Yes to UP!” and “I Support the Union for Peace.”

UPON HIS RETURN TO THE WHITE HOUSE, Mark Beaulieau accepted the hearty congratulations of the White House staff and a group of Capitol Hill dignitaries who had gathered to offer their praise. He then entered the Cabinet Room, where he received a standing ovation from the men and women around the big table.

“Thank you, ladies and gentlemen,” he said as he took his seat. “I know that the events of the past few days have left us all a bit rattled, so I will make this meeting very brief. I want to thank each of you for your dedicated service to my predecessors. You’ve been stalwart in this time of great crisis, but I feel that the United States needs a new sense of direction. As of this moment I am asking for the resignation of each of you, along with all other government personnel who served at the pleasure of the previous heads of state. Your resignations will all become effective as of nine o’clock tomorrow morning.”

“But, Mr. President,” the secretary of energy, Marsha McGovern, spoke up, obviously alarmed by this turn, “so many resignations can only lead to chaos in the government. The people will be horrified, and there will be many more problems than you can imagine. There must at least be a reasonable period of transition. You simply cannot do this.”

“Thank you, Madame Secretary,” the president said, “but I believe I have all the bases covered for a very smooth transition. There is one last thing, however,” he continued. “I would like Secretary Augustus and Secretary Wong to continue in their present posts, if they will agree to do so. Gentlemen,” he said to Wong and Augustus, “we can talk now. Thank you, ladies and gentlemen. This meeting is adjourned.”

Al Augustus moved quickly to the front of the room. “Mr. President, this is sudden. But if you’re making such a big change, why have you decided to keep Jimmy Wong and me on the cabinet?”

“Because, Mr. Secretary, you have the loyalty of the armed forces, and Secretary Wong is important to me for our continued good relations with Asia.” Beaulieu looked from one man to the other. “Will you stay?”

“Of course, Mr. President,” James Wong said.

“I will as well, Mr. President, if you wish,” Al Augustus said. “Do I have authority to continue to deploy resources for the ongoing crisis management operations?”