Speaker 1: Callaroga Shark Media. Welcome to Acting President, Episode five, Point
of No Return.
Speaker 2: Bennett stared at his phone, reading Harding's text again, Phase
one complete. The news alert about Vice President Evans's hospitalization
glowed on the screen of his car's entertainment system as
his security detail navigated away from the Austin event. This
couldn't be a coincidence. In episode six of The Insurgent,
the fictional coup began with neutralizing the vice president while
the president was overseas, just like what was happening now.
His thumb hovered over Agent Mill's contact information. He should
call her, tell her everything he knew or suspected. But
what exactly did he know? A suspicious text message, a
series of meetings that could be explained away as research
for his role. His involvement had been so gradual, so incremental,
that he couldn't identify a clear moment when he'd crossed
from innocent actor to potential conspirator. The car radio switched
to a news update. We're continuing to follow breaking news
out of Washington. Vice President Mark Evans has been hospitalized
after what White House officials are describing as a medical
episode due to exhaustion, the Vice President was attending a
cabinet meeting when he reportedly became disoriented and was taken
to Walter Reed Medical Center. Official stress that his condition
is not life threatening. President Stillman, currently in Rome for
the Pope's funeral, has been informed by will continue his
diplomatic schedule. Bennett switched channels, stopping on Pantheon News Channel,
the media arm of the entertainment conglomerate that owned Pantheon Plus.
He'd rarely watch PNC, knowing it generally supported the Stillman administration.
The timing of the Vice president's health scare raises questions,
said a polished anchor. With President Stillman overseas and markets
continuing their downward slide, the administration can ill afford an
appearance of instability. Sources tell PNC that Evans has been
working eighteen hour days trying to address the economic fallout
from the president's tariff policies. The anchor turned to her
co host and Richard. This comes as the coarse correction
movement continues to gain momentum across the country. Pantheon Plus's
hit show, The Insurgent has clearly tapped into genuine public frustration.
Absolutely Dana Richard replied, our polls show the president's approval
rating has dropped another three points this week. Meanwhile, former
Governor Bennett's public appearances are drawing crowds in the thousands.
Social media analytics show the phrase course correction is being
mentioned over two million times daily. A graphic appeared showing
P and c's rating surge up forty percent in the
past three weeks, directly correlated with their coverage of the
insurgent and the growing movement around it. Bennett turned off
the radio, unsettled. PNC had always been a staunch supporter
of the administration. This pivot was significant and calculating. Back
at his hotel, Emma was waiting, her expression grave. Have
you seen the news about the VP? Bennett nodded, What
do you make of it? Exhaustion seems convenient, she said, carefully,
especially with the president in Rome. My thoughts exactly. There's
something else, Emma continued. Pantheon wants you in DC. They're
organizing another screening event, but bigger than Times Square or Austin.
They're calling it Coarse Correction Day, capitalizing on the military
parade for the army's two hundred and fiftieth anniversary military parade.
It's been planned for months, thousands of troops vehicles. The
works Pantheon sees it as perfect synchronicity, since episode six
features military elements prominently. Emma studied him, Jimmy, this is
getting out of hand. The network is playing with fire,
deliberately blurring lines between the show and reality. Before Bennett
could respond, his phone rang Victor Harding. I need to
take this, he told Emma, stepping onto the hotel room's balcony.
Have you seen the news, Harding asked, without preamble about Evans. Yes.
Bennett kept his voice neutral exhaustion. They're saying, of course,
of course they are. Harding's tone was impossible to read. Listen,
there's a meeting tonight important people who want to meet
you the Lincoln Suite at the Jefferson Hotel. Eight o'clock, Victor.
What happened to the vice president? A pause? Nothing that
wasn't necessary. Eight o'clock, Jimmy, don't be late. After ending
the call, Bennett sat motionless, weighing his options. He should
call agent Mills. He should distance himself completely. He should
make a public statement clarifying that the insurgent was just entertainment. Instead,
at seven point fifty eight pm, he found himself walking
into the Lincoln Suite at the Jefferson Hotel. The room
was occupied by several people Bennett recognized immediately Victor Harding,
of course, but also Congressman William Hendrix, the Speaker of
the House, Senator Eleanor Vance, chair of the Intelligence Committee,
Congressman David chen from the Armed Services Committee, and Judge
Anthony Reeves of the d C. Circuit Court. These weren't
fringe extremists or shadowy operatives. These were established government officials,
representatives of the very system Bennett had once served. Governor Bennett,
Speaker Hendrix greeted him with a firm handshake. Thank you
for joining us. We're all admirers of your work, both
in California and on screen. What exactly is this meeting about,
Bennett asked, though he was beginning to understand all too well. Officially,
Senator Vance smiled thinly, We're consulting with you about the
political themes in your show. Several of us have concerns
about how government institutions are portrayed. And unofficially, the room
fell silent. Speaker Hendrix gestured to a chair please sit.
We have much to discuss Over the next hour. Bennett
listened as these powerful figures laid out their concerns about
President Stillman's administration, constitutional overreach, mismanagement, diplomatic failures. They spoke
in measured, reasonable tones, positioning themselves not as revolutionaries but
as constitutional stewards. The system has checks and balances for
a reason, Hendrix explained. When one branch exceeds its authority,
the others are obligated to respond. The President can announce
whatever policies he wants, but Congress makes the laws, and
when Congress is deadlocked, Bennett challenged, there are other mechanisms.
Senator Vance interjected, constitutional crisis provisions, continuity of government protocols,
emergency powers that transfer authority in specific circumstances. Bennett looked
around the room. What you're describing sounds like a coup
dressed up in legal language. That's a provocative word. Judge
Reeves spoke for the first time. We're discussing a constitutional
course correction of return to proper order, and the courts
would they see it that way? The judge smiled lightly.
The courts can only rule on cases brought before them,
and certain questions particularly around national security and transfers of
power fall under the political question. Doctrine courts historically avoid
interfering in matters constitutionally delegated to other branches. Besides Congressman
Chen added several key positions remain vacant. The Supreme Court
is effectively deadlocked, and many judges would recuse themselves from
cases where they have conflicts of interest. Bennett felt to Chill,
they had thought of everything. Why involve me at all?
I'm an actor, not a politician anymore because people trust you,
Hendrix said, simply, your approval ratings as governor were historic.
Your show has created a framework that makes these ideas accessible.
The course correction movement has given people a language for
their frustrations. We're not asking you to do anything illegal.
Vance assured him, simply to be a very when the
moment comes, to provide a reassuring presence during a period
of transition. After the meeting, Bennett walked alone through the
quiet streets of Washington, his security detail following at a
discrete distance. The monuments glowed in the darkness, symbols of
a democratic experiment that had weathered numerous crises throughout history.
Was this different? Was the system truly broken beyond conventional repair,
or was he being manipulated by people with their own
agendas using his public image as cover. His phone buzzed
with a text from Melissa at Pantheon Plus Marketing Big
News were coordinating with the military parade for Sunday. Pantheon
vehicles will be part of the procession Episode six viewing
on the National Mall. Need you there? This will be historic.
Back at his hotel, Bennett found Emma waiting, concern etched
on her face. Where have you been? I've been calling
for hours, walking thinking he couldn't tell her about the meeting,
not yet Well, while you were unreachable, Pantheon has been busy.
They've announced a massive event for Sunday. They're calling it
Coarse Correction day, timed with the military parade. They want
you to give a speech on the National Mall before
they air episode six on giant screens. Bennett felt the
weight of everything converging. Emma, I think something's happening, something
beyond marketing. What do you mean? Before he could elaborate,
breaking news interrupted the muted television in his suite. Pantheon
News Channel was reporting that the Vice President's condition had
unexpectedly deteriorated, and he was now in intensive care. The
White House was preparing a statement. Bennett's phone buzzed with
another text from Harding. Turn on PNC. He unmuted the
television as the anchor continued with President Stillman still in
Rome and Vice President Evans incapacitated. Questions are arising about
the chain of command. P and C has learned that
several cabinet secretaries are unavailable for comment, reportedly in a
high level meeting at the Pentagon. The anchor turned to
a political analyst, Craig, in your view, is the country
facing a leadership vacuum at this critical moment? Donna? What
we're seeing is unprecedented in modern times. Markets in freefall,
foreign policy challenges mounting, and now this leadership uncertainty. People
are naturally looking for stability, for someone they trust to
step forward. The camera cut back to the anchor and
speaking of trust, a new P and C poll shows
former Governor James Bennett with a seventy two percent trustworthiness
rating among registered voters, higher than any current elected official.
Bennett's hit show, the Insurgent, and the growing Coarse Correction
movement have clearly tapped into public sentiment. Coming up, we
ask is fiction becoming reality? Could Bennett be the leader
America needs right now? Emma muted the television, her expression horrified. Jimmy,
this isn't normal coverage. It's like they're setting the stage
for something. Bennett's phone buzzed again, a message from Melissa
marketing materials for Sunday delivered to your suite. Please review
as soon as possible. A hotel staff member knocked, delivering
a large envelope. Inside, Bennett found promotional items for Sunday's event,
t shirts, signs, and most disturbing of all, detailed maps
of the parade route with Pantheon branded military vehicles marked
at specific locations. Also included was what appeared to be
an access badge with Bennett's photo in the Pantheon plus logo,
along with military style clearance designations that looked alarmingly official.
Emma examined the materials, growing pale. These aren't normal promotional items,
this badge, It looks too official, and why would a
marketing event need this level of logistical planning. Bennett couldn't
hide his concern any longer. Emma, I think the show
is being used as cover for something real, something dangerous.
What are you saying. I'm saying that elements within the
government might be attempting to use the insurgent and these
events as cover for an actual power transfer. They've approached
me to be part of it. Emma stared at him, shocked.
You need to go to the authorities. It's not that simple.
The people involved, they are the authorities. Bennett showed her
the badge again. Look at this. It has actual military
clearance codes. How would Pantheon's marketing team even have access
to these? Bennett's phone rang Agent Mills. Mister Bennett, she said,
when he answered, we need to meet immediately. There have
been developments. I was about to call you, he replied,
relief washing over him. I've discovered something concerning. I'm in
the lobby of your hotel. Come down alone. Bennett took
the elevator down, the promotional materials in badge in hand.
He found Agent Mills waiting in a quiet corner of
the lobby. Mister Bennett, she said, her expression, grim, the
Secret Service has intercepted communications suggesting an imminent threat to
national security. Your name appears prominently in these communications. I
can explain, Bennett began handing her the envelope. These arrive today.
They're supposedly marketing materials for Sunday's event, But look at
this badge. These clearance codes are real military designations. Mills
examined the materials carefully. Where did you get these? Pantheon
Plus Marketing sent them over, Agent Mills. I think the show,
the marketing campaign, it's all being used as cover for
something real. We've reached the same conclusion, she confirmed. But
the question remains, what is your role in this? I'm
not involved, Bennett insisted, at least not willingly. But people
have been approaching me, including high ranking government officials. We
need names, mister Bennett. Before he could respond, his phone
buzz with an incoming call from Harding. He showed Mills
the screen. Answer it. She instructed, put it on speaker,
Bennett complied, Victor, now's not a good time. It's the
perfect time. Jimmy Harding replied, everything's preceding ahead of schedule.
The cabinet meeting has been called with Evans out of
commission instillment overseas. The window is open, what window exactly?
Bennett asked, watching Mills expression, Harden, don't play dumb, the
window we've been planning for Sunday's events have been moved up.
The pantheon vehicles are already in position. All we need
now is you. I haven't agreed to anything. You don't
have to agree. You're already part of this, whether you
like it or not. Your fingerprints are all over the
planning documents. Your voice is on recordings discussing strategy. If
this fails, you go down with the rest of us.
Mills gestured for Bennett to keep Harding talking. I need
time to think. Bennett's stalled. Time's up. Harding replied coldly.
We're moving forward with or without you. But consider this.
With you, this can be orderly legitimate in the public's eyes.
Without you, well, history isn't kind of failed revolutions, he paused.
By the way, your friend from the secret service, Mills,
she was suspended this morning. Anyone claiming to be her
is not who they say they are. Bennett's blood ran
cold as he looked at the woman sitting across from him.
She maintained her professional composure, but something in her eyes
had changed. I'll call you back, Bennett said to Harding,
ending the call suspended. Bennett asked quietly the woman who
had identified herself as Agent Mills smiled slightly, not suspended.
Reassigned to a more important task. Bennett realized with horror
that he wasn't sitting with a government agent trying to
stop a conspiracy. He was sitting with a participant. Who
are you really, he asked, someone who recognizes what needs
to be done? She replied, calmly, the badge in your
hand is real, Governor Bennett. Pantheon isn't just a media company.
It's a cover for something much more powerful, and now
you have a choice to make.
Speaker 3: Welcome to Insurgent Theory. I'm Garrett Fischer, and I don't
even know where to begin with this week's episode of
The Insurgent because reality is moving faster than fiction right now,
let me catch everyone up on episode five of the
show first. In this pivotal installment, Bennett's character meets with
a group of lawmakers who explain how they could provide
legal cover for what would otherwise look like a coup.
They discuss constitutional provisions, emergency powers, and how the courts
would likely stay out of the fray. It's a masterclass
in how to make something extra legal appear legitimate. Meanwhile,
in the real world, Vice President Evans is mysteriously hospitalized,
while President Stillman is overseas for the pope's funeral. Pantheon
News Channel, yes, the same company that makes The Insurgent,
has pivoted from supporting the administration to questioning leadership stability
and running favorable coverage of James Bennett and the Course
Correction movement. But here's where it gets truly wild. Pantheon
Plus has announced a massive event called Course Correction Day
this weekend, coinciding with the military parade celebrating the Army's
two hundred and fiftieth anniversary. They're promising unprecedented integration between
the event and the military parade. This goes beyond marketing people.
The Pentagon has confirmed that some vehicles in the parade
will bear Pantheon Plus logos as part of what they're
calling a public private partnership celebrating American strength. I've covered
entertainment for years, and I've never seen anything like this.
Entertainment companies don't get to brand military assets. Social media
is exploding with theories. Some say it's just brilliant viral marketing.
Others claim it's evidence that Bennett is planning a real
political move. The line between the show and reality has
effectively disappeared. Let's look at the parallels. In episode five
of The Insurgent, Bennett's character is given what appears to
be a military access badge by conspirators. Photo circulating online
show actual parade participants wearing credentials with the Pantheon Plus
logo along side official military insignia. In the show, the
conspirators explain how they'll use a public event as cover
for positioning assets. In reality, we have military vehicles being
branded with entertainment logos for a parade that happens to
coincide with the release of the coup episode. In the show,
a news network begins subtly preparing the public for a
leadership change. In reality, PNC has suddenly pivoted to questioning
President Stillman's administration while highlighting Bennett's popularity. I've been pointing
out coincidences for weeks now, but we've moved beyond coincidence
into something else entirely. Either this is the most elaborate
marketing campaign in history, or we're watching something unprecedented unfold
in real time. Episode six drops the same day as
the parade and course correction day in the show, Episode
six is when the actual coup happens. I don't know
about you, but I'll be watching very carefully to see
what the line between fiction and reality ultimately falls. If
you're following these developments, stay with Insurgent Theory from Calarogas,
Shark Media, wherever you get your podcasts. I'm Garrett Fischer,
and I'm starting to think we're all characters in someone
else's show.
Speaker 2: Bennett left the hotel lobby in a daze, the fake
agent Mill's words echoing in his mind. He'd gone to
the authorities for help, only to discover the conspiracy had
infiltrated the very agencies meant to prevent such threats. He
needed to speak to Emma to warn her, but when
he returned to his suite, she was gone. In her
place was a note called to Urgent meeting at Pantheon Offices.
They insisted back soon. E Bennett tried calling her, no answer.
He tried Melissa from Marketing straight to voicemail. His phone
rang an unknown number. Governor Bennett said a voice he
didn't recognize. This is General Howard from Joint Spellations Command.
We need to speak urgently and securely. A car is
waiting for you downstairs. Come alone, Bennett felt trapped. Everyone
claiming to help him could be part of the conspiracy.
Everyone claiming to be against the conspiracy could be manipulating him.
I'm not going anywhere, Bennett replied firmly. If you want
to talk, you can come here. That's not possible. The
hotel isn't secure. Your room is almost certainly monitored. Then
how can I trust this call isn't being monitored? How
can I trust you're really General Howard? A pause, fair point?
Turn on PNC. Within two minutes, the broadcast will be
interrupted by a technical difficulty lasting exactly fourteen seconds. That
should demonstrate we have certain capabilities. Bennett turned on the
television Pantheon News channel, was in the middle of a
panel discussion about the Vice president's condition. Precisely ninety seconds later,
the broadcast suddenly cut out. The screen went blue with
text reading technical difficulties for exactly fourteen seconds before resuming.
His phone rang again the same unknown number. Do I
have your attention now, Governor? The voice asked yes. Bennett admitted,
what do you want to show you? Something? You need
to see the car downstairs? Five minutes, Bennett weighed his options.
This could be another trap, but the demonstration with PNC
suggested whoever was calling had significant resources and access. If
they wanted to harm him, they could likely do so,
whether he went with them or not. Five minutes later,
Bennett was in the back of an unmarked black suv
with tinted windows, being driven by a man in civilian
clothes who hadn't spoken a word. They traveled for thirty minutes,
eventually arriving at a nondescript office building in Virginia. Inside,
Bennett was led to a secure room where three people waited,
an older man in military uniform with general stars, a
woman in in a dark suit with the bearing of
intelligence community veterans, and a younger man surrounded by monitors
and electronic equipment. Governor Bennett. The older man greeted him,
I'm General Howard, thank you for coming. What we're about
to show you is classified at the highest levels. The
woman spoke next, I'm Director Chambers, National Security Agency. We've
been monitoring communications between several concerning parties. Yesterday we intercepted this.
The younger man typed on a keyboard and a large
screen displayed what appeared to be internal Pantheon Plus production documents,
but as Bennett read them, he realized they weren't about
a television show. They were operational plans for Sunday, detailed
positioning of military assets, communications protocols, chains of command, all
disguised as production notes for filming episode six. Pantheon isn't
just a media company, Director Chambers explained. Our investigation suggests
it's been used as a front for a foreign back
to operation designed to sow chaos in our government. That's
not possible, Bennett protested, It's one of the largest media
companies in America. Foreign influence doesn't always look like direct control.
General Howard said, Sometimes it's about leverage, blackmail, key personnel
in the right positions. The company itself may be mostly legitimate,
with only specific divisions compromised. In my show, The Insurgent
initially genuine entertainment, director Chambers confirmed, but when it struck
a nerve with the public, certain elements realized its potential
as cover for something real. The course correction movement, the rallies,
the merchandise, all cultivated to create confusion when the actual
operation launched. And where do I fit in? Bennett asked,
you're the perfect frontman, General Howard said, bluntly, popular, trusted
a political background that makes you credible. They've been positioning
you to be the faith of whatever follows. So what
happens now? The younger man pulled up another document on
the screen. Based on the communications we've intercepted and the
positioning of assets we've identified, we believe they plan to
use the confusion of the parade in your show's event
to execute a complex operation targeting key government facilities. The
real military units will be in the parade, General Howard continued,
but mixed among them will be compromised elements. The Pantheon
branding creates plausible deniability. From a distance, it will be
difficult to distinguish legitimate parade participants from operators, and people
will assume it's all marketing for my show, Bennett realized,
just like they assumed the Vice president's condition was natural exactly.
Director Chambers nodded. The chaos creates a window with President
stillman overseas and the vice president incapacitated. The constitutional line
of succession leads to the Speaker of the House, who's
part of this, Bennett confirmed, remembering his meeting with Hendrix
we believe so. Yes, though proving it has been challenging.
These people are careful communicating through cutouts and coded messages.
Bennett processed everything he'd heard. Why tell me all this?
Why bring me here? General Howard and Director Chambers exchanged glances.
Because we need your help, Governor Howard said, Finally, we
need you to play along. Play along, Bennett echoed, incredulously.
If you suddenly disappear or publicly denounce the event, they'll
know we're on to them and will likely accelerate their
timeline or change tactics. Director Chambers explained, we need you
to continue as if nothing has changed, to be present
on Sunday as planned while secretly working with us. Howard added,
the best way to stop this is to let them
think it's proceeding according to plan, then intervene at the
critical moment. Bennett stood up, pacing the room. You're asking
me to be a double agent and a conspiracy I
never wanted any part of. We're asking you to help
prevent what could be a catastrophic fracturing of our democratic system.
Chambers corrected, this isn't just about a change in leadership.
The people behind this want chaos, division, a weakened America.
Bennett thought of the crowds at the rallies, the genuine
frustration he'd seen in their faces. What about the movement itself?
The people who believe in coarse correction, many are sincere.
Howard acknowledged they're being used as cover, their legitimate grievances exploited.
That's what makes this so effective and so dangerous. Bennett's
phone buzzed with a text from Emma back at hotel.
Where are you? Pantheon sent revised schedule for Sunday looks intense.
I need time to think, Bennett told Howard and Chambers.
We don't have much time. The General replied gravely, and
based on intercepted communications, you believe some elements may move
even sooner as if on cue. All their phones buzzed
simultaneously with a news alert. Bennett read it with a
sinking feeling. Breaking. White House confirms Vice President Evans unresponsive
on life support. President Stillman cutting Rome trips short but
delayed by mechanical issues with Air Force One. Speaker Hendrix
to make statement at nine pm. Bennett looked up at
General Howard and Director Chambers. It's already happening. Isn't it yes,
Chambers confirmed grimly. Phase two has begun. Bennett realized he
had reached the point of no return. Whatever role he
had played in getting to this moment, unwitting actor or
complicit participant, he now faced a choice that would define
not just his future, but potentially the future of American
democracy itself. What do you need me to do? He asked.
Speaker 1: Acting President has been a production of Calaroga Shark Media
Executive producers John McDermott and Mark Francis. Elements of AI
have been used in the production of this episode.