Great American History Hall

“More America means a better America. As Kidney takes the moon, we take more of the great beyond.”

Martin. C. Gunther dutifully recited his old lines not far from their table. Frankie and Katie remembered this guy. Before Washington, he was the one in charge. Not much has changed since then. His glasses and mustache were about all they could recall about him anyway.

“The animatronics are pretty good.” Katie remarked.

All seventeen of the nation’s leaders, serving or retired, dead or alive, were assembled onstage.

“Yeah.” Her sister agreed. “The Gesus is creeping me out though.”

The current President’s image was perfectly captured, and Frankie knew it. They got his size, shape, clothes- everything just right. All that was missing was the bottomless stomach and capacity for violence.

“Funny how Kidney always looked like that.” Katie commented on the machine in front, the 1st Official President of the United States- Walter Kidney, who was wearing about the same thing he did in his recent broadcast despite clearly being intended to be depicted as he was in the year 0 NGP.

“I saved this world from collapse.” The fake Kidney read off, only slightly more robotic than the real one. “Not for myself, but for the creation of more art. For our dreams.”

“What a bore.”

The food was served quick. You could essentially call it a fast-food meeting of powers. Katie got hot dogs, but Frankie got tacos. Both tasted better than anything they’d eaten at a park before- that is to say, pretty much anything else they’d eaten before. Kidney didn’t skimp on the refreshments.

“It’s time for our show, everyone.” Heidi Patterson, 6th Official President of the United States announced. “Thank you for stopping at the Great American History Hall.”

And just on time, the music started.

The national anthem was still, technically speaking, the Star-Spangled Banner. But it’d changed a lot since 123 BNG.

The guitar riffs, EDM breakdowns, and blown-out samples from presidential quotes got Frankie a little queasy, only serving to remind her of when the big cheese showed up to protect her freedom. Listening to Katie laugh as they watched all seventeen of their past and present leaders dance to the furious rhythm was all that could keep her tied into the moment.

In the madness, another guest approached them.

The little boy pointed to their bag, looking up at Katie, the closest to it.

“Wanna play?”

Katie glanced down at him and realized he meant to bet. Frankie watched her lean down and stick her fist on her palm.

“Rock-paper-scissors, best two out of three! Loser gives a token.”

“Six tokens.” The kid ordered, holding up his own crinkling bag of metal.

“Ah… alright then! Rock, paper, scissors…”

Frankie had a decent time watching her sister play with the boy. She decimated him, of course, but he still put up a fight.

Dropping the coins into her bag, the two smiled and finished their meal.