Chapter 5 Summary

Burnham arrives at the White House for work. When bending down to pick something up, he rips his pants. He enters his office intending to sew them with the assistance of his secretary, Dyanna. He is unable to do this because the President suddenly calls and demands an immediate meeting. Burnham staples his pants to hide the rip. At first, the President seems to be on the point of firing Burnham, but then lets him leave with compliments. Burnham leaves the meeting and almost collapses from low blood sugar.

Burnham goes to his immediate boss, Cobb, for an explanation. Cobb says the President has praised him but that the original problem was a mistake the President made while presenting a speech written by Burnham. Returning to his office, Burnham sees Renfro from the Department of Energy. Renfro gives him a shredder to shred...