Americathon

In 1998, the United States runs out of oil and society adapts to life in stationary cars and nonpowered transport like jogging, cycling, and rollerskating. Paper money loses all value and gold coins become the sole currency for transactions. The economy reorganizes around scarcity and improvisation.

Americans elect Chet Roosevelt, a cosmically inspired former California governor, to lead the country. He presents himself with a flamboyant, tracksuit-wearing persona and rapid-fire affirmations. His quirky style sets him apart from traditional presidential figures.

Roosevelt launches a series of highly publicized fundraising events in a bid to stabilize the nation, but each effort collapses. He remains relentlessly optimistic, pursuing public support even as donors pull back. The failures deepen the sense of national crisis.

Roosevelt shifts his attention to Mouling Jackson, a Vietnamese American pop superstar, pursuing a romantic relationship amid political upheaval. The pursuit intertwines personal ambition with the nation's stalled leadership. The romance adds another layer of spectacle to the presidency.

A Native American-led cartel, spearheaded by Sam Birdwater, extends crucial loans to the U.S. government through Nike’s network. The loans constitute the main financial lifeline for a country teetering on bankruptcy. The deal places Birdwater in a powerful position over national policy.

With the government bankrupt, operations relocate to The Western White House, a sub-leased condo in Marina del Rey, California. The move signals the severity of the crisis and the fragility of federal institutions. The presidency continues under extreme financial strain in this new setting.

Birdwater goes public on national television, confirming he lent billions to the United States and demanding repayment. The broadcast reframes the crisis as a debt default in plain terms and raises urgent questions about sovereignty. Foreclosure now feels imminent to many observers.

Roosevelt hires a young television consultant, Eric McMerkin, to craft a national raffle that could help save the country. The plan evolves into a full-blown telethon aimed at mobilizing citizen donations. The urgency of the moment pushes media strategy to the forefront of national politics.

The telethon plan recruits vapid TV celebrity Monty Rushmore to host the fundraising event. The host’s persona embodies the spectacle surrounding attempts to rally the country. Production elements focus on mass entertainment as a tool for political rescue.

Presidential adviser Vincent Vanderhoff secretly schemes to ensure the telethon fails. His goal is to clear the way for foreign interests to acquire remaining U.S. assets after Birdwater forecloses. The plan reveals internal political scheming behind the public crisis.

The merger of Israel and Arab states yields the United Hebrab Republic, a new geopolitical entity ready to purchase what remains of the United States. The plan adds an international dimension to the domestic crisis. The looming sale underscores how foreign interests may shape the outcome.

As Birdwater’s repayment demands intensify and the telethon faces sabotage, the country edges closer to foreclosure. The government scrambles to retain control of assets and prevent a complete transfer of sovereignty. The crisis accelerates as lenders tighten the reins.

With the foreclosure unresolved, the country becomes vulnerable to sale to foreign stakeholders, potentially ending current governance. The narrative sets the stage for a dramatic political and financial transfer of power. The crisis persists as the telethon's outcome hangs in the balance.