Andrew carefully laid the Vice President down on the gritty bathroom floor. It took him only a few moments to change shoes with the Vice President. Andrew was already dressed in exactly the same suit and tie so that the switch could be made in as little time as possible. The only thing that he couldn't replicate was the transponder built into the heel of the Vice President’s left shoe and so a quick swap ensured that both visually and electronically, Andrew was now the Vice President of the United States.

Andrew stood up and looked at himself in the grimy mirror. Multiple several-hour surgeries had made him look exactly like the man lying unconscious on the floor and for the past six weeks, a vocal coach taught him how to speak and sound just like him.

He practiced flashing the world renowned smile in the mirror and then suddenly doubled over the sink. The breakthrough pain was getting more severe each time. With one hand gripping the side of the rust stained sink he reached into his pocket and pulled out the bottle of fentanyl tablets. Andrew stared at the large red warning letters on the bottle in his trembling hand. He actually laughed out loud as he read that among the dangers of overdose was a high probability of death. This warning label did not apply to him. He would be dead in less than half an hour anyway.

He popped the top of the bottle with his thumb and let go of the sink long enough to pour the remaining four tablets into his waiting palm. One by one he nestled the tablets into his cheeks just behind each molar. They dissolved quickly and he glanced at the sleeping body on the floor. A wave of emotion flooded over him and he instantly snapped to attention. With a fluid practiced motion, his hand jerked to his brow in salute.

“United States Army – 5th Special Forces Group. Captain Andrew Stovall at your complete disposal. It is my distinct pleasure to die in your place Mr. Vice President.”

The sleeping man never stirred, never even reacted to what Andrew had just said. He released his salute and let his hand drop to his side. The shaking was subsiding and that meant it was time to fulfill his duty. The public would never know of the sacrifice he’d made for his country. But then again, the cancer would have taken him in less than six months anyway and he didn't do this for a medal.

He did this because it had to be done.

He did this because he believed in the oath he had taken to protect the leaders of this great nation.

Andrew pulled open the bathroom door just enough to slip out into the hallway. It wouldn't be a good idea to have anyone outside this door look in and see his doppelganger lying prone on the alternating black and white discolored tiles.

The concerned face of Carlos Jimenez, Special Agent in Charge, was the first thing Andrew encountered in the hallway.

“Are you alright sir?  You were in there quite a while.”

Andrew immediately employed his six weeks of vocal training. “Like I said before Carlos, I just had a little too much to drink. I'll be all right. I think I'm ready to leave now.”

“Of course sir. The motorcade’s right this way.”

Jimenez pointed down the hallway with an outstretched open palm and, just like Moses raising his staff over the Red Sea, as soon as the Special Agent in Charge raised his arm to point the way a sea of Secret Service agents parted to either side of the hallway.

Andrew scanned the hallway in front of them and then turned to look back the opposite direction, searching the faces of every hotel employee.

Jimenez touched him briefly on the elbow. “This way, sir.”

A sudden wave of terror enveloped Andrew as he searched the faces of the hotel employees in both directions of the hallway. His frantic actions must have alarmed the Secret Service agents closest to him as their gun hands instinctively started moving for their holsters.

“Is there anything wrong sir.”

Andrew glanced at Carlos Jimenez, hoping that his fear was not reflected in his eyes. “I uhh...”

Someone coughed down the hallway and made several of the agents jump reflexively. Andrew looked at the banquet server who had just coughed and instantly all anxiety flowed out of every muscle as, when their eyes met, the banquet server gave an almost imperceptible nod. The Vice President would be safe.

Andrew quickly turned to the lead Secret Service agent and flashed the Vice President’s award winning smile. “I am so sorry Carlos. I think I had more to drink than I planned. I was disoriented for a moment there. You know how it is, too many employee bathrooms in too many hotels.”

Carlos Jimenez searched his eyes looking for the answer of a question he didn't even know he was asking.

“Take me home.”

The Special Agent in Charge visibly relaxed, and he finally let go of Andrew’s arm.

“Right this way sir.”