YOU'RE FIRED! A STORY IN 250 WORDS

As an exercise in self discipline I've decided to write some stories in as close to exactly 250 words as possible with the additional fiat that they cannot go over 250 words.

Here's the latest.  Hope you enjoy the twist.

 

The two men, the President and the Russian Ambassador, had met more than a hundred times; some meetings documented, most not.  This was the first time ever in Hawaii.   “Never,” the ambassador mused, “Has he been this way with me.  Something is seriously wrong.”

“Mr. Ambassador,” the President stormed. 

“No arm around the shoulder, no affectionate questions about my family?”

“I have issued an executive order providing me authority to respond to your cyber activity in undermining our election processes and institutions.  Be warned.  I will use that authority immediately.”

The ambassador blanched.  This was serious indeed.

“Tomorrow I will announce sanctions against the GRU and the FSB, against a number of your countrymen, and against the companies we both know supported your cyber operations seeking to influence our elections.  We will also expel a number of Russian nationals and will require you to cease operations immediately at two of your compounds.”  

“But Mr. President…”

“Don’t Mr. President me,” the POTUS interrupted.  “You forced me into this.  I’ve never seen such incompetence in my life.  How could your people have allowed themselves to be found out?  I was told your people were the best, that they knew how to influence an election quietly, that success was inevitable, that no one could possibly detect your activities.  Now I’m forced into this.  A monumental failure!  What happened?”

“We are as puzzled as you are, Mr. President.  It all worked so well in California!  Why there and nowhere else?  Is California so different?”