First-time readers, this blog is set in the future (sometime after the year 2020).  Each entry assumes there has been a 5th revolution in the US — the Revenge Revolution.  More about Revenge Revolution and author, Entry #1.  List and general description of entries to date.  Annual assessment whether Revolution plausible.

Note: most characters appear in a number of entries, with many entries building on previous conversations.  Profile of characters.  You’ll catch on quickly.  Thanks for your time and interest…and comments.

Scene: Rock Man calling Bill O’Reilly’s office.  (Part 1 of conversation begins Entry 209)

O’Reilly’s Assistant:  Mr. O’Reilly’s office.  May I help you?”

Rock Man:  “My name is Rock Man.  I was referred to Mr. O’Reilly by…”

O’Reilly’s Assistant:  “…Oh, yes, Rock Man, we’ve been expecting your call.”

Rock Man:  “Really?  How’d you know I was going to call?”

O’Reilly’s Assistant:  “Gelly…in Jordan Abel’s office…called me and gave me a heads up.  She and I have been friends for years.  We went to high school together.”

Rock Man:  “She never mentioned that…or maybe I was so shocked about the idea of calling Mr. O’Reilly I didn’t hear her.  Is Mr. O’Reilly available to talk?”

O’Reilly’s Assistant:  “Yes.  FYI, he prefers you call him Bill.  He’s also been briefed on why you’re calling.  I’ll put him through.”

O’Reilly:  “Bill O’Reilly here.  Is this Rock Man?”

Rock Man:  “Yes.  Nice to meet you.  If you have a few minutes I’d like to discuss your talking points about starting a conversation with the black community.”

O’Reilly:  “I’d love to talk.  I assume you’re talking about the list I published a few years ago?”

Rock Man:  “Yes, from 2016 I think.”

O’Reilly:  “Even after the Revenge Revolution, there seems to be a huge gap between say what seems important to the Black Lives Matter movement and what many in the white community think is important.  However, before we start discussing the list of question, could you run through your background, please?  I’ve heard some but I’d like to hear more from you.”

Rock Man:  “Grew up in eastern North Carolina, one of 8 children.  Parents were tenant cotton farmers.  Parents had very limited education – maybe through 8^th grade but I don’t really know.”

O’Reilly:  “Did I understand correctly that all the children graduated from college – I mean all 8 of you graduated?”

Rock Man:  “Yes.  Several earned graduate degrees.”

O’Reilly:  “Amazing…and very impressive.  My apologies for asking, but you are black, right?”

Rock Man:  “Yes, and no apologies necessary.”

O’Reilly:  “And you went to college where?”

Rock Man:  “Started out at Johnson C. Smith in Charlotte…”

O’Reilly:  “…Smith is a historically black college?”

Rock Man:  “…yes.  My junior year I transferred to University of North Carolina-Charlotte because the curriculum was more rigorous.”

O’Reilly:  “Then what?”

Rock Man:  “After graduating I opened a rock climbing gym in Charlotte.  At the time I think I was the only black guy in the country that owned a climbing gym.”

O’Reilly:  “Ah, that answers my question of why the name Rock Man.  Married?”

Rock Man:  “Yes, wife’s an executive with a large international company.”

O’Reilly:  “Kids?”

Rock Man:  “Two – daughter and son.  Both accelerated programs.  Our daughter has her heart set on Yale or Harvard.”

O’Reilly:  “Wow, what a background.  You and your wife are true role models.”

Rock Man:  “You sound like Jordan Abel.  You know Jordan?”

O’Reilly:  “We’ve met a couple of times and had a few drinks together.  So now you have at least two people in Washington citing you as a role model.  I really am impressed.”

Rock Man:  “Thanks.  Now, what about your background?

O’Reilly:  “Nothing as impressive as yours.  I’m just a commentator.”

Rock Man:  “Speaking of commentators, do you know why the aristocratic father potato would not let the aristocratic daughter potato marry Bill O’Reilly?”

O’Reilly:  “I give.  Why?”

Rock Man:  “Because he was just a common tator.”

O’Reilly:  “You got me there Rock Man.  That was bad.”

Rock Man:  “OK, whadda say we get started on your list of questions for the black community?”

O’Reilly:  “We’ll get to the list but I’ve got an idea on how we approach it.  Based on what I know about you and our conversation so far, I think our discussion about the list will be productive and interesting to a lot of people.  We also have an opportunity to demonstrate how two people with likely polar opposite views on a number of issues can have a civilized and meaningful conversation.  I think you need to come on the show.”

Rock Man:  “Huh?  Me on your TV show?”

O’Reilly:  “Why not?”

Rock Man:  “What about a rehearsal?  We could sort of practice now.”

O’Reilly:  “The show will be more effective with just the two of us talking…and no rehearsal.  We’ll tape it so if there’s a major problem we can do some edits.  However, I think the more spontaneity, the more credibility the conversation will have.  How ‘bout it?”

Rock Man:  “OK, but how soon?”

O’Reilly:  “Ideally within the next week.  I need to review my calendar and see what times are available.  You have any restrictions on time?”

Rock Man:  “During the day is better.”

O’Reilly:  “Alright.  We’ll get back.  And thanks Rock Man.  Looking forward to meeting in person.”

Rock Man:  “Same here.”

(Continued)