CHAPTER FORTY NINE
The following day the prime minister was becoming increasingly frustrated at the president's wandering gaze and incoherent speech. He was causing such a hindrance that White genuinely felt like shooting him.
"The goddamn mushrooms have stolen my hair again," he shouted.
"Mr President..." began the vice president.
"Sarah, put that spoon down."
The PM stared in total amazement as the vice president reached behind him and removed a USB stick from his neck. The president slumped to the floor. The aid walked over to the sofa, picked up a cushion, and placed it underneath the president's head.
"Sorry about that. An early experimental implant, he won't let us upgrade it. When he gets that bad we have to reboot him."
"What the fuck?" said the Prime Minister, accurately summarising everyone else's questions.
The V.P. sighed.
"I suppose we've been lucky to get away with it this long. He had quite a severe stroke many years ago, before he was elected, and we gave him an implant. Although it was our latest design at the time, we're way behind you and Europe in these matters and... well, frankly it doesn't work properly. To be honest it's getting to the point where we're thinking of removing it, publicly announcing that he's had a stroke and putting him out to pasture. Anyway, can we get back to the talks now?"
With a rather bemused air they all gathered themselves but before they could refocus on their discussions a T14 agent ran in.
"You have to turn on the news. Iran are threatening a nuclear strike if we don't give those prisoners back."
The foreign secretary let out a shrill laugh.
"Looks like we picked a fucking good day to be in a bunker, doesn't it?"
The Memory Man: T14 Book 1 Page 49