Nancy Rinehart, the respected ABC news-anchor and moderator, sat poised and proper at the table on the far right of the stage awaiting her cue from the TV camera crews. The audience was seated and still, its collective silent, attention focused intently at the two candidates on the stage. The ten-second light stopped blinking; they were live. "Good evening," Ms Rinehart began , "and welcome to tonight's broadcast, 'Candidates Encounter,' a live unrehearsed debate coming to you from downtown Des Moines, Iowa. Before we begin I'd like to thank the local chapter of Citizens for an American Universe for sponsoring this event and now I will toss the coin. Heads will give the opening statement to the incumbent Morton Neargood and tails to George Winright." The coin is tossed and allowed to drop on the table. "It's heads. Mr. Neargood, you may begin."

Morton looked serenely and confidently out into the audience, trying to radiate a quality of subdued magnificence, straightened to his full six foot four inches, paused at the end of a slow deep breath and then said crisply and clearly, "What a nice day." Heads nodded approvingly. After a short silence George Winright took put his arms firmly forward, masculinely embraced the podium and said with a strong calm assurance, "Etiquette, proper etiquette." This was greeted with a light scattering of modest applause which subsided quickly.

After a brief moment of introspection Morton Neargood responded earnestly, "The American people," he said, "The American people!" This seemed to strike a responsive chord with the audience as the applause began to quicken and was slightly sharper though it fell off quickly also.

Deciding to take advantage of what he sensed to be a warming audience participation, George Winright followed quickly with, "Community involvement," which received a tepid, rather lukewarm response. He regretted his choice as soon as he'd said it.

Sensing that he had edged onto higher tactical ground, Morton tried to cement his momentum. "Honest hard work," he said, his voice rising and resonant. This was greeted uniformly and somewhat enthusiastically with a short burst of applause. Feeling a cautious optimism, he felt himself ease up and relax a little.

George Winright felt an early sense of panic begin to develop in his stomach, "Daily hygiene," he blurted out, sensing himself starting to lose control.

Sensing opportunity, Morton followed without hesitation, "Clean air and water," which brought forth a moderate chorus of approving applause and nodding agreement. His posture remained erect and his countenance deliberately manly as he continued to milk his eye contact with the audience. He was caught slightly off guard as he heard in a clear, strident voice from across the stage, Education." This was followed, disturbingly, by a burst of spontaneous vigorous clapping and even a few foot stampings. He felt his anger rise at the theft of the word he had planned on using. Quickly he shot back, "Health care," which garnered him only an obligatory polite response.

The audience anxiously began to shift, sensing a growing intensity. Their excitement was rewarded as George Winright projected loudly, "Individual responsibility," and Morton echoed, "Equal pay". Winright continued without hesitation, "Competition." "Gross national product," countered Morton.

George Winright considered pausing here but felt the audience's insistent rhythm, like an ardent lover, urging him on. "Family unity," he said louder than he'd intended.

"Respect for property and authority," Morton said matching his volume. But before he finished the last syllable of 'authority,' his voice was drowned out by the audience, which unable to restrain itself, burst forth excitedly in unanimous and sustained applause – the ardent lover was aroused. The candidates themselves now became caught up in the frenzy of adulation. While the applause was still subsiding, George Winright yelled out, "War on drugs, gambling, and sex," and then, realizing his excess, moderated, "Illicit sex and pornography." This reignited the still-warm embers of the audience and the sound of applause rose again.

Morton Neargood added, "Law and order," which further fanned the heated audience, and then caught up in his own fervor, forgetting that it was his opponent's turn, he continued with loud reverence, "Liberty and freedom." The audience screamed.

"America," shouted George Winright, nearly breathless. This brought forth a loud chorus of "Ahs" and yells, mixed in with foot stamping and still raucous applause.

It was then that Morton received an inspiration that seemed to shift the center of his gravity. "God!" he screamed, clutching the microphone in both hands. The audience, unable to restrain themselves, exploded. They rose to their feet screaming, yelling, and clapping with a thunderous, deafening tidal roar. All semblance of decorum was lost. The camera crews began hurrying their equipment through the exit doors as people scrambled like terrorized elephants across a burning field, down the aisles, across the orchestra pit and toward the stage. Several people fell to their death from the second floor balcony seats, and one woman went into early labor and delivered a brand new American baby boy in aisle 5, whom she would later name 'Morton'.