characters: Stephen, Timothy Leary, Russell Schweickart, myself
Rating: TV-14 Language, sucker punch
Synopsis: Stephen's first night in Davis, CA... so much for Peace and Love
Disclaimer: this is a work of fiction. It isn't real. Honest.
This is a work of fiction. Comedy Central wasn't even around then. Any similarity to persons alive or passed on is purely coincidental.
Who’s who:
Dr. Timothy Leary - Psychologist/Psychonaut. Famed for his advocacy of responsible drug use. Vilified for the same
Dr. Buckminster Fuller - Philospher/Scientist. Creator of the Geodesic Dome and discoverer of the “Bucky” ball
Stewart Brand - Tagged along with Ken Kesey (One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest) and the Merry Pranksters (Electric Kool Aid Acid Test). Truly Leary’s Nemesis - Founder of The Well, the oldest message board on the Intertubes. Creator of The Whole Earth Catalog. One of the most boring men on the planet despite his creds….
Russel Schweickart - the first American Astronaut to walk in space. Passionate advocate for the Space Colonization Organization, the L5 Society
Dr. Stephen Colbert, Republican Operative - yet oddly pro-Space Exploration/Colonization. Has history with Leary.
PROLOGUE
Coordinator,
Space Exploration for Humanity Conference
Experimental College
Univeristy of California at Davis,
Davis, Ca 95616
Dr. Stephen Colbert
212 Greyhaven Pl, NW
Charleston, South Carolina
Dear Dr. Colbert,
I am writing on behalf of my fellow students to extend to you an invitation to speak at this year's Whole Earth Festival's Conference on Space Exploration for Humanity to be held in our new, but unfinished gym facility (the only space capable of holding the NASA exhibut). Knowing you to be a Conservative beacon of rationality, I invite you to share the Conservative view of this ideal with Astronaut Russel Schwiekart, speaking on behalf of the L5 Society, Dr. Buckminister Fuller, Stewart Brand and Dr. Timothy Leary. We expect a lively day of debate and discussion on the topic of the possibitly of going to the stars.
You are respected as one of the voices of integrity that is beginning to fade from the landscape since the unfortunate days of the Watergate scandal. The only agenda we put forth is how to better humanity. An agenda I and the rest of the EC believe you to be in agreement with.
We can offer you housing off campus in one of the University's houses that is reserved for visiting fellows, the last guest to stay at our behest was His Royal Highness, Prince Charles. A driver, if bicycling is not your thing, and a small stipend to cover your expenses. This is the same arrangement made for Drs. Fuller and Leary.
We sincerely hope that you can find the time in your extraordinary schedule to accept.
Sincerely
Jeanne Nathans
Coordinator,
Space Exploration for Humanity Conference
I put the letter into the mail and waited. would he really agree? I mean, this is the last place someone like him would show, yet then again, this is (or was) the 'farm school' of Berkeley. Put him upwind of the alfalfa fields and cowbarns. lord, alfalfa stinks...
The others had agreed quite readily, though Dr. Leary told us to be aware of the suits that were with him but not with him... It was his oblique way of saying he was still being followed.
I called Dan and told him the letter had been sent, and what was the status of the filmmaker.
"We got him. Jesus film is expensive. but I think I can get it at cost by using a purchase order."
"Do you think Colbert will agree? I mean... we can always send him pictures of the shirtless "whole earth people" from last year... no. wait that will scare him away. did we get Steven Halpern?"
"Yes."
About a week later, the phone in my apartment rang.
"You have the Pleasure."
"May I speak with Ms. Nathans?" "Speaking."
"This is Stephen Colbert. I just received your letter, and, Is Leary REALLY going to be there?"
I nearly dropped the phone. Was my number on the letter? no - it was the schools....
"uh, yeah, he's going to be here." I said slowly...
"Then I accept. When should I arrive?"
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