The governor of DC and his wife came out. His wife spoke for a few minutes then the governor spoke, praising The Spiritists for their assistance to the local authorities during the recent troubles on the west coast.
"We are disappointed, however," he continued, "about what their argument with ABC over Late Night Live has done to an important part of the American economy. It just so happens that Daniel Wells has dropped by and though he is not scheduled to perform I invite him to come out and speak for a few moments. I sincerely hope those in the audience will understand and let Mr. Wells make his comments."
There was a sudden murmur in the crowd. The cameras turned to show The First Speaker and his party leaving the theater. Many others were rising, following them.
"Ladies and gentlemen," the governor called, "please, please stay! Show a little common courtesy. Let the man have his say."
A plain clothes man tried to block The Speaker's way and one of his body guards drove him aside. Suddenly other DC policemen appeared with assault rifles. One of them stepped in front of The First Speaker.
"No! No!" the governor called, "No violence! If they don' t have the courtesy to be decent human beings let them go." More and more of the audience began to file out, until over two thirds of the theater was empty. The scene changed to someplace outside the theater. Somehow Daniel Wells had gotten ahead of The Speaker and approached him. One of his guards tried to stop him, but a policeman intercepted him. Wells grabbed The Speaker's arm. The Speaker then turned and struck him soundly. Wells reached out again and The Speaker again struck him.
"Leave him alone you bastard!" someone in the crowd screamed, "He's a human being! He has a right to touch you. Don't hurt him just because he wants to touch you!"
Again Wells reached out for The Speaker, and this time The Speaker struck him with such force that he knocked him down. Police officers rushed forward and dragged Wells off. They argued for several moments and then motioned The Speaker on his way.
"ARREST the bastard!" people were screaming in the crowd, "ARREST HIM!"
But Samuel knew the police couldn't. Wells had had a peace bond served on him. He was not supposed to approach The Speaker or try to touch him at any time. He had been told The Speaker would defend himself if he did.
The judge had ruled he had a right to do so, if Wells wouldn't leave him alone. The angry crowd pushed towards the Spiritist's vehicle, but the police drove them back.
Back in the theater the governor spoke to those who remained. "What is this country coming to," he complained, "when brutality like this is allowed, when an actor can't express his art without innocent people being destroyed because people take totally unreasonable offense? I have opposed the new laws permitting such brutality as we just witnessed. I am sponsoring legislation that will prohibit people from assaulting others simply because they want to touch them. People have a right to express their feelings in different ways. Some people NEED to touch others, and those that take offense to a simple touch MUST be made to see reason. And just because a man practices a different lifestyle and pokes a little fun at people who are far too serious and demanding, two great American institutions should not be destroyed. Reason has to return to The United States. Let us continue with the performance for those who have had the decency to stay."
"Woo!" Samuel remarked, "That man ain't gonna get reelected!"
Samuel was right. The next day the president announced she was removing the governor of The District Of Columbia from his post and appointing a replacement until the next general elections.
"It's without doubt," she commented, "the whole situation we saw last night was coldly calculated to force The First Speaker into the actions that he committed. Some people do not like the fact that The Spiritists do not believe in individuals of the same sex touching. Some consider this foolish, but the courts have clearly stated that under the guarantees of religious freedom they have a right to have their wishes followed.
CHANGE legislation designed to change the laws so those that do not respect their wishes may do as they please, will be vetoed. When a man says "Do not touch me," and another man refuses to obey his wishes, that man has every right to defend his person.
Too many people in this country have been brought up to believe that they can do exactly what they wish to other people, even if they disapprove. New laws have gone into effect assuring that they will not be allowed to do so. Those laws WILL be protected!"
"World's changing!" one of the train's passengers commented after the president's speech. "You know I feel sorry for Wells. You can't help it. The man's troubled. But somewhere you've got to draw the line, you've got to say enough! And The Spir sure as hell do that!"
"And how!" Samuel agreed.
Sue Ling chuckled and Sarabelle joined in. When they finally rolled into Bangor, Maine, the party arrived to take Sarabelle away, Samuel was a little sorry to see her go. But when he saw the way the man that picked her up looked at her, he knew she'd be o.k..
They drove north, reached Sue Ling's house, and her parents insisted they stay the night. The next morning Speaker Polley pulled into a small park. At the foot of the hill was a ferry terminal.

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