Chapter 5 pt 1

                     Chapter Five

John’s intercom beeped. “Sir, there is a Jane Anne Miller here to see you.” His assistant’s perky voice announced through the device. Becky could make the end of the world sound like a good thing, since everything she said was delivered in the same happy voice regardless of what she was telling the President.

“Send her in.” Jane Anne Miller was the mediator for all the governments. She made sure their issues never escalated, she also made sure everyone was getting the help they needed in bringing their countries up to date. Her most important job however, was to make sure no one on the planet forgot they were on a deadline and being watched, because no one could afford to forget that.

“Hello John, you remember you have a meeting with all the other Heads in two days correct?” Jane Anne asked as she sat in one of the chairs facing the President’s desk.

“Shit! Thank you for reminding me.” John hit the button on his intercom, “Becky my dear can you call Air Force One and inform then about the meeting with the other Heads in Switzerland?”

“They were notified the day I put it on your schedule, Sir. Would you like me to contact them to see if preparations are almost complete?” Becky replied though the intercom.

“Yes please.” John told her, turning his attention back to Jane Anne. “I wouldn't find my own head without that girl.” John told Jane Anne jokingly.

“Anyway, let’s get down to business. How are those plans coming with Japan to relax their Immigration laws? There are less than a hundred million Japanese left, they need an influx of fresh genes and people otherwise they will disappear. I’m not saying they need to drastically change their way of life, but we all know they need the help.” John said placing his elbows on the desk steepling his fingers.

“John you know the Japanese hate asking for help in anything, but they know they need the help on this one. They are willing to allow professionals into the country, especially those in the medical and educational fields. They don’t have nearly enough people qualified in those fields.” Jane Anne said looking at her notes.

“They need to do more than that. Professionals aren't going to be nearly enough to help jump-start their population growth. They need to let in some lay people as well. In twenty years half of their population will have died out, and they need people to replace them, or their infrastructure will collapse taking the rest of the worlds’ economy with it. This isn't only about them. Then need to suck it up and do this for the greater god damned good.”

 John ran his hands over his face. Getting the Japanese to see reason on this issue was like pulling teeth. They knew they need more people, but they also wanted to keep their way of life exactly as it was. They couldn't keep their way of life and survive, John knew they were aware of this, but they didn't want to compromise. He was desperately hoping Jane Anne could help them see reason, otherwise they were all totally screwed.

            “When we see them on Thursday in Switzerland we will all sit down and have a frank talk. I’ll contact the scientists focusing on Japans population problem and have them bring over some research, and predictions. I want to be prepared for any arguments they have. I also am going to contact the best historian I know and get her to come along as well to help alleviate their fear of losing their identity since that is a valid fear. They don’t want to become homogenized like America is. What they don’t seem to understand the only reason we are so homogenized is because we are a relatively young country, compared to them. Their identity is ingrained in everything they do, our identity comes from all the different people that live here.”

Jane Anne Pulled out her cell phone and began to dial. She paused then looked up.

“Make sure you are ready to play ball John. We may need to be harsh with them, but it needs to be done. I know you would rather give them more time to come to terms with this but we have run out of time. No more coddling.” She told him as she returned to dialing. She put the phone to her ear and began to speaking in rapid fire Japanese.

This was why Jane Anne made such a good mediator, she spoke every language fluently, and could read and write them as well. She was also a force to be reckoned with, she didn't pull any punches. She was manipulative but didn't take sides. She did what was best for the planet as a whole. She was also very aware of the undercurrent of tension that ran through everyone and she always seemed to know whether to be soft spoken or harsh depending on the circumstances and who she was speaking to. As long as she got the results the planet needed she would do whatever it took. She was a great person to know when she thought you were handling things the right way, a terror to deal with other wise.

Jane Anne put Humanities best interest first, and that was why all the countries bowed to her judgment for the first time, that and she was willing to compromise to get everyone back on track to change the world. She knew doing anything else would destroy humanity.