Average Joe (ePub)

When an average guy becomes the most powerful man in the world, is there still time for bowling?

Shutdowns! Gridlock! In the not-too-distant future, politics have become so corrupt that politicians are completely ineffective in addressing the needs of the country. Congress's approval rating is at an all-time low. Drastic action is needed, and Senator Robert Quigley devises a plan to make the current state of affairs seem better by making things worse... and to become president in the process. Quigley sets his plan in motion: promoting a constitutional amendment that creates a lottery to select an average citizen as president, truly making the office one that is "of the (unqualified) people." He knows the amendment will fail, but the people will love him for making this bold suggestion.

Quigley is shocked to find the amendment rapidly ratified. The entire country holds its breath: who will become the first randomly selected president? As his luck would have it, the unwitting, unwilling, and not-at-all interested Joe Smith is chosen but refuses to be inaugurated. A beer-drinking Average Joe whose work, finances, and family life are falling apart following the failure of his cherished microbrewery, Joe's major skill is consistently achieving bowling scores in the 200s.

Quigley, who maneuvered himself to become vice president, explains to Joe that if he does a terrible job and gets himself impeached, he will receive enough severance pay to save his microbrewery, and, by the way, allow Quigley to become president. Joe relents and takes the oath of office, knowing that if there is one thing at which he can succeed, it's failure. Yet Joe's unorthodox, apolitical ways surprise everyone—especially Joe, his family, and the ruthless, scheming Quigley—as he turns the Washington establishment upside down.
As Joe, the ultimate outsider, continues to confuse, confound, and alarm Washington, one question remains: When an average guy becomes the most powerful man in the world, is there still time for bowling?