One Day, Mr. President exclusive
The Real Table - Episode 3
The Invitation
Location: Rico’s Apartment – Late Night
Rico sits on the floor, flipping through news coverage of the protest. A knock interrupts the silence. Naomi opens the door. A well-dressed man in his 40s stands there, holding a sleek envelope.
Man: “Mr. Carter, I represent the Council for National Power. You’ve drawn the attention of some… important people.”
Rico and Tamara exchange wary glances. The man hands over the envelope.
Man: “You’re invited to a private summit. Tomorrow. Manhattan. All expenses covered. No press.”
He bows politely and exits. The group stares at the envelope.
Tamara: “This feels like walking into the lion’s den.”
Naomi: “It’s not a trap. It’s worse. It’s a test. They want to see if they can buy you.”
Rico: “Let’s find out what they really want.”
The Council
Location: Manhattan – Private Penthouse, 72nd Floor
Rico walks into a long room of power suits, manicured smiles, and legacy wealth. The woman in white from the last episode greets him.
Woman: “Welcome, Mr. Carter. I’m Celeste DuPont. We've been watching you."
Rico stays silent, scanning the room. A senator, two billionaire CEOs, a former CIA director… this is old American power, modernized.
Celeste: “Your energy is raw. Your following is potent. And we believe it’s time to groom a new type of leader. We’re offering resources. Advisors. Strategy. You could be Governor by 30. Senator by 34. Maybe even… President.”
Rico laughs quietly.
Rico: “And what’s the price tag?”
Celeste: “We don’t censor. We shape. Influence. Control the tempo. Keep the system intact.”
Rico stands.
Rico: “So you don’t want a leader. You want a puppet in protest gear.”
Celeste (calmly): “Be careful, Rico. Out there, you’re fire. In here, you could be history.”
Rico’s Decision
Location: Harlem Rooftop – That Night
Rico meets with Naomi and Tamara, the city stretching behind them.
Naomi: “So they want to clean you up, polish you, and own you.”
Tamara: “You say yes, you get power with strings. You say no, they’ll come harder than ever.”
Rico looks up at the stars, remembering his dad’s voice:
Jerome Carter (flashback):
"Son, real power is when you know what’s right and you do it, no matter the cost."
Rico:
“Then I say no. Loud. Public. Let the world know: I don’t belong to them. I belong to us.”
The Public Denial
Location: Live Interview – Next Morning
Rico sits across from Maya Thomas again. This time, live on CNN.
Maya: “We’ve received word that you were invited into a private political summit last night. Is that true?”
Rico (nodding):
“They offered me a seat at the ‘real table.’ But I wasn’t raised to sit quiet while the people are starving. I wasn’t raised to be handled, I was raised to stand.”
Maya: “Are you saying you turned them down?”
Rico:
“I don’t need their table. I’m building a new one. And every kid from the block, every mama holding down two jobs, every dreamer who’s been told they’ll never be enough, they’ll have a seat there too.”
The Response
Location: DuPont’s Office – Same Time
Celeste watches the interview, expression unreadable. She sips wine as her assistant speaks.
Assistant: “He’s gaining traction fast.”
Celeste: “Then remove the gloves. If Carter wants war… we’ll give him one.”
She turns toward a hidden screen displaying Rico’s sealed juvenile record. Naomi’s foster care files. Tamara’s medical history. Digital bullets, locked and loaded.
