In the lead-up to the highly anticipated September 10th presidential debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump, the atmosphere in political and media circles was electric. Journalists from all over the country were preparing to cover the event, and one such reporter, Alex Jones, who worked for a prominent weekly magazine, was tasked with ensuring every angle of the debate would be covered. His assignment: find a few skilled lipreaders to assist in analyzing the candidates’ non-verbal moments, especially when their microphones were muted.
Aware that Harris’ campaign had reluctantly accepted the rule of muted microphones, Alex figured it would be insightful to get a lipreader’s take on what might be said when the microphones were off. He dialed the Lipreaders Association, a reputable organization with thousands of members, confident they’d be able to provide experts for the job.
When Alex made his request, the friendly voice on the other end of the line hesitated. “I’m sorry, but all of our members are currently fully booked,” the secretary replied.
Alex frowned. “Fully booked? Every single one of them?”
The secretary’s tone grew oddly formal. “Yes, unfortunately, there is no availability. I suggest you try again another time.”
Alex hung up, perplexed. The Lipreaders Association boasted thousands of members nationwide—there was no way they were all occupied. Something about this situation didn’t sit right with him.
Undeterred, Alex contacted a few freelance lipreaders directly, only to receive the same response: “We’re booked.” Some sounded nervous, as if there was more to the story they couldn’t share.
As the day of the debate drew closer, Alex began piecing together a troubling theory. Had there been some quiet intervention? Was someone behind the scenes ensuring no one would be able to lip-read during the debate, knowing full well that those muted moments could contain significant, unfiltered reactions? While the moderators and TV networks controlled the microphones, perhaps someone else was attempting to control the narrative in a more subtle, yet powerful, way.
Determined to uncover the truth, Alex realized he was onto a story bigger than just the debate. There was more at stake here, and the silence surrounding the Lipreaders Association felt louder than anything the muted microphones would ever conceal.
All names of people and organizations appearing in this story are pseudonyms.
Harris accepts rules for Sept. 10 debate with Trump on ABC, including microphone muting
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