william dafoe

Earth poses a threat to peace in the galaxy and all humanity is threatened with annihilation by a group of extraterrestrials. The UN Security Council has three days to choose an individual to be earth’s emissary to try to negotiate a reprieve.

An unlikely individual is chosen, William Dafoe, a Canadian. Dafoe’s claim to fame is that of an international salesman. He is a widower with only two passions, his daughter and his job. He has few good words for any politician, but as the consummate salesman he can deal with anyone. The most important thing, as Dafoe puts it, is to close the sale.

Dafoe negotiates a reprieve from the aliens that involves all of the countries of earth destroying their weapons of mass destruction and the elimination of nuclear power, but he has negotiated major offsets with new technologies and cures for some of earth’s worst diseases. Can he sell the agreement to the leaders of the nations?

On his return human paranoia sets in; he is accused of being part of a conspiracy to disarm earth. He faces potential murder charges. He is shot at by government agents.

In the middle of undertaking the assignment he falls in love with one of the members of the US President’s cabinet and much of his mental prowess is involved in this new relationship.

Written in the first person Dafoe tells the story of what he faced, from the decision to be earth’s emissary to meetings with the UN Security Council and the General Assembly.