It Can't Happen Here

After two years as leader, Windrip has steadily become more paranoid and power-hungry. He surrounds himself with yes-men, and suspects anyone who doesn’t sufficiently flatter his ego of plotting against him. Windrip continually increases the number of bodyguards protecting him, though he distrusts them all. He moves out of the White House, leaving his wife there, and into a private hotel suite, where he spends his time indulging in luxuries, playing poker with his bodyguards, and drinking. Windrip begins to feel intense loneliness, as the only people he now trusts are Sarason and Macgoblin.

Meanwhile, as Windrip’s behavior becomes more erratic, Sarason establishes himself as the true power center of the administration. He establishes a clique that reports directly to him, bypassing Windrip, and ingratiates himself with the leaders of large businesses. As Sarason becomes more distant from him, Windrip attempts to win back his attention by giving him gifts and later punishing him by replacing Sarason as High Marshall of the Minute Men with Colonel Haik.

Vice President Beecroft resigns, saying that he can no longer stomach all the killings. Sarason advocates having him killed, but Windrip refuses, fearing criticism, and instead has random concentration camp inmates shot.