With The Odds On Our Side
by O. Allos
O. Allos, meaning "the other one" in Greek, is a pseudonym. I can be reached at oallos@netstorm.net. I was born in Greece and did not move to the U.S. until I made sure I was old enough to be served wine with my dinner at restaurants. I miss the Mediterranean waters, swimming in the sea being one of two physical activities I never thought of as anything but pure fun. I am still single at an age when statistically I should have been married and already divorced.
I am a chemical engineer and a faculty member at a large mid-Atlantic University, where I am involved in both teaching and research. I have published numerous engineering articles with more mathematical equations than words, while spending much of my free time reading fiction of many kinds. I particularly enjoy science fiction, often of a darker nature, and stories about alternate realities/histories. Stories would often spontaneously spring to mind, but I did not take the time to put them down on paper until recently. It can be hard work, but also a lot of fun, and I am looking forward to the work and fun involved in finishing a novel. oallos@netstorm.netO Allos can be contacted at
"The enemy President looks calm enough for a man expected to be dead within minutes," said the first CNN commentator.
"All his life he beat the odds," the second man said. "Let's not forget that he can survive, although he's facing the longest odds that the United Nations Charter allows, 10 shots to 1. President Clinton can take 10 shots at him before he gets his chance to shoot back. The odds that he will be the winner at the end of the first round are just 1 in 37."
"That's why there's been only one other challenge against the United States since the UN Charter was ratified in 1945," the first man said. "The UN Security Council would give the longest odds against almost any nation choosing this way to resolve a war with the US. And since the challenger gets shot at first, both the enemy leader gets killed and they lose the war instantly."
In the televised scene from the UN Headquarters in New York, the two Presidents were seated across a table. The UN Secretary General was ceremoniously placing the single bullet in the traditional Colt six-shooter.
"I've always wondered," the second man said, "what possessed Ho-Chi Minh to issue the challenge in 1969. Granted, their situation was bad, but did he really hope to beat the odds?"
"I guess we'll never know," the first man said. "But the film of Nixon blowing Ho's head off on the fourth shot is the most widely seen image of a US President and it has served well to make our enemies behave."
"Until now ..."
Secretary Annan had spun the barrel and passed the gun to Clinton. He pointed the gun at the enemy steadying his elbow on the table. Annan asked the enemy President if he wished to surrender and accept defeat. The man took his time. He expertly cut the end off a Cohiba cigar and lit it.
"His last pleasure," said the first commentator.
He declined. Clinton aimed right between the eyes and pulled the trigger. No bullet. The enemy didn't flinch. Annan took the gun and spun the barrel. He gave it to Clinton and asked the enemy again. He declined and Clinton took a second shot, but still no bullet.
"Eight more shots," the second commentator said. "You know, the only time that a challenger would have had a good chance was right after the Soviets got their hydrogen bomb. The Security Council would have given them fair odds. Many people think that if Man-of-Steel Stalin had lived another year, he would have challenged Eisenhower."
"Well, we'd still have gotten good enough odds for Ike to have at least two clear shots at Stalin first. And of course, Ike would have taken any shots against himself like a man and play the odds. The Soviets were not doing bad enough to take the risk then. By the time their economy collapsed, they'd get poor odds against us."
Clinton had now taken his sixth shot and still just a click. The enemy was puffing at his cigar. A close-up of Clinton's face showed perspiration. By the time he took the ninth shot his hand was visibly shaking.
"Well!" the first commentator said, breaking the silence that had descended in the last few minutes. "Do you think we are in trouble?"
"Let's keep calm, the odds are still way in our favor. Even if the tenth shot is blank, all that the enemy gets is one shot, and then Clinton has ten more."
The tenth shot was on an empty chamber. Annan spun the barrel and gave the gun to the enemy President. He did not rush to point it at Clinton.
"You know as well as I do Mr. President," he said to Clinton, "that I've beaten the odds." He puffed at his cigar. "I only get to shoot once, but it will not be an empty chamber. I feel it in my bones. I think you feel it as well. You'll die and your country will still lose the war. Why not surrender?"
Annan asked Clinton if he cared to surrender. Clinton did not seem to be able to answer. The enemy pointed the gun at Clinton's head.
"No-one will blame you Mr. President," the enemy said. "I'll open the gun and show them there was a bullet in the chamber. And after you are out of office, you can dump Hillary and have all the fun you missed at the White House."
Kofi Annan asked the question again.
Fidel Castro cocked the gun, smiled and said, "come on Mr. President, what say you?"
Bill Clinton licked his dry lips ...