**As the Convention of the States to Propose Amendments begins in Las Vegas, the militia action set in motion by Kevin Fortuna comes to a head. The relatively non-violent plan to use intimidation of delegates to bring the con to a halt is short-lived. An act of violence sets the Federal Government and the militia on a collision course, while the Nevada Governor tries desperately to head off a violent confrontation. Meanwhile, Victor Mentry finally succumbs to his disease and Gunter Hale takes a creative approach to his legacy. Kevin Fortuna receives his well-earned reward. Now the eyes of the nation are on the historic convention and President Deena Justin, as they lay the groundwork for the next phase of US Constitutional history. **

NOTE: This episode contains loud and sudden noises.

CAST FOR THIS EPISODE: Steve Stranov -- Narrator/Michal/Ethan/Sheriff/Tony/various; Carolyn Del Sol -- Deena/Aide; Matt Sindt -- Johnny/Diller; Jon Ryder -- Tim; Mark Livingston -- Tenbrook; Joe Lazo--Hooker/VP Roth; Ron Santoro -- Det. Davis; Vixi Fox -- Dispatcher/Desk Clerk/Badger Newswoman; Justice Margowsky-- Governor Granby; jmsshetler -- President Doyle; Sam Mitchell -- Seth; espressoVA -- Sgt Henry; Jenica Domanico -- Kaylee; Alex Fox -- Kevin Fortuna; Devin Leigh -- Delegate Osborne; Ronnie Carl Jackson -- Delegate Simmons; Benjamin K -- Nate; Stephanie Livingston -- Rose Wen;

MUSIC: Motions by Cloud (Lic. by Blaster Media); Action Strike by kmcleod (Pixabay); Amazing Grace (bagpipes) by US Air Force Bands Pgm (US Gov); Amazing Grace (guitar) by Dave Whitcroft (Upbeat); _Chase by Alexander Nakarada (Creator Chords); Jazzy Christmas Tree by Jonny Boyle (Upbeat); Chamber Time by StudioKolomna (Pixabay); Sterotype News by Rafael Krux (Lic. by Blaster Media); Always Remember by William King (Pixabay)

SFX: Pixabay

**The Article Five convention of the states is about to begin. However, Victor Mentry's hold over its leadership and goals seems to be slipping. Deena Justin’s competing coalition is growing in size and influence, while Mentry’s tightly run empire is falling into confusion as his rapidly failing health draws him away. The shift in power may not only scuttle his plans to re-make the federal government to his libertarian vision, but also risk undoing court rulings that allowed him and his billionaire cohort to spend infinite amounts of money to buy political influence. The dying Mentry now faces a choice: abandon his convention dream or risk destruction of the very foundation of his political power. As he hesitates, the convention takes form with new leadership, clearly out of his control. It now falls to shifty political operative Kevin Fortuna to implement dubious plans with violent allies to try to regain control. **

CAST FOR THIS EPISODE: Steve Stranov -- Narrator/Michal/Male Reporter/Donovan/Atty General/Various; Jake Naugle--Victor Mentry; Alex Fox -- Kevin Fortuna; Justice Margowsky-- Governor Granby; Stephanie Livingston -- Rose Wen; Tom Schultz-- Hightower; Matt Sindt -- Delegate Sanger/Diller; Chris Lynch -- Emile; Carolyn Del Sol -- Deena; Benjamin K -- Nate; Bill Lewis -- Mitch; Jordan Walters -- Conor; Sam Mitchell -- Seth; espressoVA -- Sgt Henry; Drake Kobler-- Rules Chairman; Joe Lazo -- VP Roth; Jenica Domanico -- Kaylee; Mark Livingston -- Tenbrook; Jon Ryder -- Tim; Joe Lazo--Hooker; Matt Sindt-- Diller

MUSIC: Motions by Cloud (Lic. by Blaster Media); Sadness by OpenMusicList (Pixabay); American Patrol by US Marine Band; The Star Spangled Banner by US Marine Band; Chamber Time by StudioKolomna (Pixabay); Crying Cello by Oleksii_Kalyna (Pixabay); Metal Interlude by Alexander Nakarada (Creator Chords/Creative Commons); Sterotype News by Rafael Krux (Lic. by Blaster Media); From Time to Time by Alexander Nakarada (Creator Chords/Creative Commons); Circuits by Alexander Nakarada (Creator Chords/Creative Commons)

SFX: Pixabay

Victor Mentry's goal of an Article Five convention of the states is within reach, awaiting just its final passage in the Nevada Assembly. Nevada will bring the total to two-thirds of the states, starting the unstoppable convention train down its tracks. Deena Justin has done everything she could to argue against it, to no avail. Meanwhile, some crafty spy work reveals the real force behind the convention to Deena and her colleagues, pushing her to come up with a new strategy to counter Mentry's scheme. On the other hand, shifty political operative Kevin Fortuna has been assigned by Mentry to shepherd the convention through its final steps and figure out a way to control it if things go wrong. He recruits some questionable allies and will do whatever it takes.

CAST FOR THIS EPISODE: Steve Stranov -- Narrator/Hemet/Michal; Joe Lazo -- Hooker; Alex Fox -- Kevin Fortuna; espressoVA -- Sgt Henry; Sam Mitchell -- Seth; Sharla V -- Assembly Speaker; Tammy Boyce -- Annie; Carolyn Del Sol -- Deena; Skyler Coburn -- Joe Hoosier; Cory Stoutner -- Ernie; Bill Lewis -- Mitch; Spencer Mayo -- Jeremy; Benjamin K -- Nate; Jordan Walters -- Conor; Chris Lynch -- Emile; Holly Painter -- House Speaker; Thomas Rose -- VP Barlow;

MUSIC: Motions by Cloud (Lic. by Blaster Media); So Many Questions by Fae Spencer (Pixabay); Countdown by Alexander Nakarada (Creator Chords/Creative Commons); Covert Affair by Kevin Macleod (incompetech.com/Creative Commons); American Patrol by United States Marine Band; Suspensify by Alexander Nakarada (Creator Chords/Creative Commons);

SFX: Pixabay

Find out more at http://articlefivedrama.com

Uber-rich and reclusive Victor Mentry is paralyzed by disease and doesn’t have much time left. His lifelong dream of a constitutional convention called by the states under Article Five is coming together. His last wish is to use the convention to shrink the federal government and transform the U.S. into a Libertarian utopia. Unable to act directly, he is enabled by his long time lawyer and assistant Gunter Hale, former US Senator Ozzie Hightower, and sleazy political consultant Kevin Fortuna. Mentry's unending river of dark money can buy all the lobbyists, operatives, and corrupt politicians needed to make his dream into a reality, but the state of Nevada is his only hope of living to see it. Rookie Nevada Assemblywoman Deena Justin, a target of Kevin Fortuna's intrigues in the past, is a staunch opponent of political corruption. This time she's in elected office and on the front lines of the convention battle. She just doesn't know it yet.

CAST FOR THIS EPISODE: Steve Stranov -- Narrator/Chairman/Michal/Man with Megaphone; Betsy Chase -- Laura; Carolyn Del Sol -- Deena; Tom Schultz -- Ozzie Hightower; Alex Fox -- Kevin Fortuna; Jon Ryder -- Tim; Kyle Logan Holter -- Travis; Benjamin K -- Nate; Phil Thompson -- Sen. Jones; Aaron M -- Banker Witness; A Shettler -- History Witness; Ronnie Carl Jackson -- Rancher Witness; Skyler Coburn -- Joe Hoosier; Jayce Leisure -- The Technician; Jake Naugle -- Victor Mentry;

MUSIC: Motions by Cloud (Lic. by Blaster Media); Apocalypse Blues by Alexander Nakarada (Creative Commons); Percussive Intro by Alexander Nakarada (Creative Commons); River by William King (Creative Commons); Degenerate Blues by Alexander Nakarada (Creative Commons); Upbeat Country Blues by Denys Kyschuk (AudioCoffee); Sneaking in the Warehouse by Brolefilmer (Creative Commons) Suspensify by Alexander Nakarada (Creative Commons); From Time to Time by Alexander Nakarada (Creative Commons); The Technician arr. by Ebken Studio; Future Technology by MaxKoMusic (Chosic); Betrayal by Oleksii Holubiev (Monument Music / Creative Commons)

SFX: Pixabay

Find out more at http://articlefivedrama.com

Victor Mentry, one of the world's richest people, disappeared from public life over ten years ago and nobody has managed to get even a snapshot of him since. In spite of that, he's legendary for his business prowess and his political reach. His endless river of dark money and nearly non-existent campaign regulations have allowed him to form a deep network of powerful government figures loyal to him. Who is Victory Mentry and what is Article Five, his ultimate political aim?

This episode was edited on 17 September 2024: Changed intro and music for Kaylee podcast.

CAST FOR THIS EPISODE: Sam Mitchell -- Henry/Guest 1; Steve Stranov -- Narrator/Guest 2/Guest 3/Tony/Cameraman/Michal; Jennifer Tra -- Terry/Receptionist/Laura; Jenica Domanico -- Kaylee; Jake Naugle -- Victor Mentry; Tom Schultz -- Ozzie Hightower; Alex Fox -- Kevin Fortuna; Carolyn Del Sol -- Deena; Dallin Bradford -- Rep. White; Spencer Mayo -- Jeremy; Benjamin K -- Nate

MUSIC: Motions by Cloud (Lic. by Blaster Media); Winter by Alexander Nakarada (Creative Commons); Find Them by Alexander Nakarada (Creative Commons); Behind Enemy Lines by Cinematic Waves (cinematicwaves.com); Under the Sun by Keys of Moon (Creative Commons); Spring Field by Hina (Chosic); Stoned by Alexander Nakarada (Creative Commons)

SFX: Pixabay

Find out more at https://article-five.pinecast.co