The President is Going to America! - Chapter 106



Only Noblemtl

Episode 106 – Kusper the Friendly Ghost

Washington DC

White House

“For now, the major crisis has passed. It seems that the heart attack occurred due to psychological shock. It is also possible that the brain was affected by the lack of oxygen. At this point, nothing is certain.”

The attending physician took off his stethoscope and said.

“No matter what happens, you must remain calm. I have informed the Senate of the situation, so I will avoid talking about impeachment for the time being.”

“Thank you, Sawyer.”

The First Lady sighed and muttered. She and the attending physician shared a look.

“Sawyer, you and Warren have always been close friends. That’s why you were given the title of Brigadier General in the Army. Wasn’t it?”

“Yes, that’s right, First Lady.”

“Congress will push this through to the end. Republicans are already supporting impeachment. There is too much evidence to just deny it. My husband can’t make a sound judgment right now.”

“…”

“There is only one way to resolve this situation. It is the only way to preserve not only my husband’s honor, but yours as well, Sawyer. Do you know what I mean?”

“I don’t know, but…”

“I believe you know that.”

The attending physician stood for a moment, then took something out of his bosom.

“It’s a barbiturate sleeping pill. It will help the President get a good night’s sleep.”

“thank you.”

“Then I’ll take my leave.”

Sawyer grabbed his fedora and hurried out. Only President Harding and the First Lady remained in the room.

“Honey, can you hear me?”

First Lady Florence bowed her head.

“Everything has come out. It’s all come out how you invited young girls to that mansion and played dirty. Have you ever thought about the shame I feel?”

Harding opened his eyes and tried to say something, but only a mumble came out.

“If this continues, you will become the first president in the history of the United States to be impeached. We cannot let that happen.”

The First Lady, who had said so, opened the lid of the medicine bottle.

“You collapsed in shock at the betrayal and corruption of your colleagues. Then you will at least be able to maintain a modicum of honor as President of the United States.”

Thirty minutes later.

Doctors and nurses rushed into the White House hospital room.

“Where is your doctor? Call him right now!”

“Contact the Vice President too! Hurry up!”

＊＊＊

Department of Justice

General Information Bureau

“Sir, it looks like something has happened at the White House. I heard there will be a press release within the hour. Coolidge has already returned to the White House.”

“What a coincidence of timing. This happened right before the impeachment trial.”

Hoover muttered, putting down the papers.

“It seems like the first time since the Revolutionary War that the United States government has been in such disarray.”

Tax investigation into Hitler Company and exposure of Roosevelt’s corruption.

‘Hitler and Roosevelt were definitely close friends.’

It was likely that all of this was connected.

Hitler’s intelligence power.

But how could he have known information that even Hoover himself could not?

Hoover leaned back in his chair.

“What happened to the KKK stuff?”

“I have passed everything on to H as you instructed. The only ones who know about the matter are me and the director.”

“Good job, Clyde.”

Hoover answered and looked back at the papers. Hitler was holding his biggest secret.

Even threatening to expose anyone who showed even the slightest hint of suspicion.

‘Who on earth did you pass the data to?’

I couldn’t figure out who else besides Hitler had the information.

I’ve been so stressed out for the past few weeks that my hair is falling out.

Fortunately, Hitler has so far kept his promises.

‘If you cooperate, you will be rewarded accordingly.’

That was Hitler’s way.

“Do you think he can take down the KKK, sir?”

“I don’t know. I might just try to gather some data. I think I’ve gathered quite a few supporters.”

The KKK was a target of surveillance by the Justice Department, along with socialists, people of color, and mafia groups.

But the KKK is also deeply involved in Southern politics.

“If you think about the supporters who would have gathered because of this tax investigation… it might be possible.”

The Hitler Company was subject to a harsh tax investigation by the Harding administration, but no tax evasion was committed.

Rather, it is a situation where talk of refunds is coming up.

There were also rumors that the IRS was having to tap into its emergency budget because it couldn’t issue refunds right away.

“Let’s see what he does.”

＊＊＊

New York

Hitler Company

“Edward, Walt. I appreciate you both coming, even though you’re both busy.”

“I have to come running whenever Mr. Hitler calls.”

As Disney spoke with a smile, Bernays, sitting next to him, nodded.

“By the way, why are you calling only me and Mr. Disney like this? Did something happen?”

“It’s already a big problem that the President of the United States died while in office.”

I shrugged as I said that. President Harding’s sudden death.

‘The media said he had a heart attack because of the corruption scandal and impeachment.’

There were some questionable parts.

There was talk of poisoning in the history of Yuan Dynasty.

Died faster than the original history.

Was there some kind of conspiracy within the White House?

“But that’s not why I called you here. There’s a bigger problem.”

“If it’s a bigger problem…”

“The Ku Klux Klan. Let’s call it the KKK.”

“You mean those guys who walk around with their bed sheets over their heads?”

Disney said with a smile.

“I saw them often when I was in Kansas. Did they cause anything?”

“No, Mr. Disney, haven’t you been watching the news lately?”

Bernays looked at Disney with a dumbfounded expression.

“Didn’t the KKK raise suspicions about smuggling alcohol at Hitler Company and even lead to a tax investigation? Surely you’re not completely unaware of this, are you?”

“The studio has been really busy lately. I’ve heard a few times that Roy has been busy.”

Disney hastily added.

“I haven’t slept properly for several days because I was testing the sound recorder with Mr. Edison.”

I chuckled as I watched Disney’s embarrassed expression.

That’s very Walt Disney.

When World War II broke out, people asked what war was going on.

“We need to deal with the KKK somehow. If we leave it alone, it will only come back to bite us in every way.”

Racism, Catholicism, and xenophobia.

From the KKK’s point of view, I’m like the anti-Christ.

“But the KKK has a strong presence in the South. There are many Southerners who tremble at the mere mention of the Klan.”

Bernays spoke in a cautious tone.

“There are quite a few governors and state legislators who have joined the Klan. Without a list, it’s impossible to know who has joined.”

“I have no intention of fighting the KKK head-on either. That’s why I called you.”

Both people who heard me tilted their heads.

“Suppose I were to come forward and condemn the KKK. Would that have any effect?”

“Probably…not there.”

“Yeah, it’s more likely to have the opposite effect.”

There is no point in denouncing racism and xenophobia.

Anyway, people don’t change their thoughts, or frames.

If I come out and criticize the KKK, it will only solidify their support base.

Most white supremacists live that way their whole lives and then die that way.

Then what should we do?

“The answer is simple. It’s about exploiting the KKK’s strengths and weaknesses.”

“If it’s both a strength and a weakness… what are you talking about?”

“The KKK became popular because of its mysticism. The ghostly white uniforms, their own unique rules and terms. They were all designed to seduce white men. You could call them marketing tools.”

After saying that, I took out some documents and placed them on the table.

“And here it all is written.”

Bernays and Disney flipped through the papers one by one.

“The Grand Dragon, the highest rank, leads the kingdom, and is assisted by an Imperial Wizard. The Grand Titan represents the territory, and is assisted by six Furies. Finally, the Grand Titan leads each province, and is assisted by four Goblins.”

“…The positions are a bit childish.”

Disney said with a smirk.

“Even by my standards.”

“Let’s take a look at the secret greetings and terms used among the members.”

“A clan member who meets a stranger raises his hand above his right ear and touches his head. If he is a member of the same den, he responds by raising his hand above his left ear and touching his head.”

“When attending a night club, if you say ‘I Say,’ they will reply ‘Nothin-g.’”

Disney read through the documents.

“AKIA, aka Akia, means ‘I am a clan member.’ After saying this, they share a secret handshake.”

“It’s like children’s play. Isn’t it?”

Grown men are playing cavalry by sewing star patterns on their bed sheets.

They even claimed that they were the ghosts of Confederate soldiers who died in the Civil War.

Fantasy-like positions like Archmage, Cyclops, Goblin, Troll, and Titan.

If anyone heard this, they’d think it was a Dungeon & Warrior cosplay.

“I think you both figured out what I was trying to say.”

“There is nothing more effective than making a joke out of someone.”

Bernays nodded.

“Now I think I know why you called me. If all this information is released…”

“That’s it.”

There was a similar incident in Yuan history. The revelations of a newspaper reporter who had infiltrated the KKK.

The reporter revealed all of the KKK’s positions, ranks, and wealth on the radio.

‘It was a bigger blow to the KKK than any law ever could have been.’

The most painful attacks on the KKK were not political campaigns, anti-racist protests, or physical attacks, but simple exposure.

Could there be a more effective weapon for dispelling mysticism?

“There’s always a sense of mystery in closed groups. That’s how attractive they are to outsiders.”

Strict regulations and rules.

There’s even a mystery there.

In a closed group, these things can be a great strength.

‘It was the same with the Korean Marine Corps right now.’

Unlike other branches of the military, the Marine Corps has a tradition of following a strict cadet culture even after discharge.

A bond that is that strong.

‘But with the development of the Internet and the media, it was ridiculed.’

That famous Marine Corps (non)literature.

Closed groups often become laughing stocks when their internal information leaks out.

“I’ll get on a radio show and release all the material. I’ll just have to make it as funny and witty as possible.”

Bernays said in an excited tone.

“There’s no need to mention Prohibition.”

“I don’t want to look like I’m personally attacking the KKK. I guess I can leave it to RCA. It’s a great opportunity for them to increase their audience.”

“I don’t think I have anything to do.”

Disney scratched the back of his head.

“If it’s radio, don’t you need my brother?”

“No, the most important thing in this plan is you, Walt.”

“I am the most important?”

“Yes, is there any other character that is loved by children as much as Mickey Mouse these days?”

I smiled and patted Disney on the shoulder.

The radio exposure wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t enough to seal the deal.

Something bigger and more fun.

Is there a more appropriate tool than children’s animation?

“I’m working on a new animated film. How about adding a new Mickey Mouse friend to it?”

“If you’re talking about a friend, are you talking about a new character?”

“Yeah, a ghost that looks like a white sheet would be fine. How about a young ghost like Casper… no, Cusper?”

KKK.

I’d like a name that reminds me of the Ku Klux Klan.

“I think it would be good if the image was as cute as possible. Including the secret personnel and positions of the KKK.”

“A young ghost… that sounds pretty good. A prince who doesn’t get his father’s approval in the ghost kingdom.”

“How long will it take if we start working on it right now?”

“If we deploy all the studio staff… a month and a half… no, about a month would be enough.”

“You’re the only one who can make animations that fast, Walt.”

After saying that, I put a cigarette in my mouth.

‘If you stay still, you’ll be laughed at, and if you get angry, you’ll be laughed at.’

Isn’t this the real checkmate?

===＊＊＊===

Author’s Note

Q1: How did the KKK grow so quickly?

A1: The KKK basically advocated white supremacy, Protestantism, and southern idealism. The group’s symbols, white robes and hats, fiery crosses, secrecy, and obscure ceremonial vocabulary, were very popular with the public at the time.

Money was also a major factor in the KKK’s popularity, as recruiter Kleegle was able to collect $4 out of every $10 membership fee.

So the more members there were, the more allowances the Kleegles received. The remaining membership fees were sent to the KKK headquarters in Atlanta.

It was a pyramid-shaped business, with executives at the top of the pyramid making huge profits and also exercising political influence.

Q2: How did President Harding die in the history of the original country?

A2: In early 1923, President Harding died suddenly from ptomaine poisoning. However, there were many rumors about this, because Harding did not eat food that could cause ptomaine poisoning, and only his wife was with him at the time of his death, and no autopsy was performed.

Rumors persist to this day that he either committed suicide or was poisoned by the First Lady.

Harding was reportedly terrified during the Alaska trip, asking trusted reporters “how a president should react when his friends have betrayed him.”

(Source – Wonderful America, Allen, FL)