This was Professor Charles Xavier's first visit to the White House.
Although he had once experienced its surroundings and atmosphere "firsthand" through someone else's perspective, actually setting foot on the handwoven Persian carpet in the Oval Office...
His complicated, turbulent feelings outweighed the excitement an American ought to have felt.
Secretary Michael Halse spent quite some time making small talk with the president. Charles simply kept smiling, occasionally answering some of the president's academic questions about genetic mutations.
From the way President Kennedy kept glancing at him, Charles already knew why he had come to the White House today.
"Secretary Halse, thank you for your persistence in this work, especially in the early days, when we knew so little about Mutants. I'd like to discuss a few other matters with Professor Xavier."
"Of course, Mr. President! I'll leave Charles with you."
The stout secretary rose to take his leave with an easygoing air. He winked at Charles and walked out of the Oval Office. From his attitude during his conversation with the president, he clearly didn't support Senator Partridge's proposal.
"Charles? May I call you that?"
John Kennedy seemed more at ease once Secretary Halse had left. He walked over to the corner where the liquor cabinet stood, poured himself a little gin, and raised his glass as he looked at Charles Xavier.
"Of course, sir. Thank you, but I rarely drink. In my experience, alcohol has a particularly strong effect on the brain and nervous system."
Kennedy nodded in understanding, then casually asked the question he was most curious about as he returned to the sofa.
"Can you tell me how you identify Mutants?"
Charles interlaced his fingers and gently twisted them together. After letting out a long breath, he carefully explained to President Kennedy.
"Brain waves, Mr. President.