X Minus One – Man’s Best Friend. ep98, 570424

A fortune telling machine has just predicted the next ruler of the free world. Mr Schnay thinks the machine is a lot of nonsense. The former ruler of the planet phones to congratulate the unassuming winner. All the newcomer needs to do is kill his predecessor, and get a speech ready for the thronging masses.

The reluctant leader makes excuses, claiming no administrative or leadership abilities. Mr Schnay just can’t get on board with the luxuries, and trappings of office. Dragging his feet all the way, he can’t get as worked up over the change of power as the overlords in his cabinet, or the cheering people outside his window.

There’s still the unpleasant business of assassins, and corpses. The killing is to be covered on network TV, for all the world to go wild over. With the hype of the day over, and in the silence that follows in private, a surprising secret is learned by Mr Schnay that invites him into a secret society. What other low tech scams could be lurking behind the high power methods of ruling in the future?