Imagine it's October 11th, 1939. You're a respected economist and banker paying a special

visit to Washington, D.C. A young man in a dark suit escorts you down the marble

hallways of the White House, and as you pass paintings of former U.S. Presidents lining

the wall, you grip the handle of your briefcase. Your escort stops and gestures to a door.

Right this way, sir. The man opens the door and you step inside the Oval Office. Seated behind the resolute desk is President Franklin Delano Roosevelt.

You take a seat on the sofa as he finishes a phone call.

You were one of Roosevelt's key economic advisors on the creation of the New Deal. But today you're not

here to talk about financial policy. The president hangs up the phone and motions

for you to take a seat across from him at the desk. Thank, thank you for taking the time to meet with me, Mr. President.

Well, I would have liked it to happen sooner.

Unfortunately, Mr. Hitler has caused a bit of a distraction in Poland.

You might have heard about that.

Indeed, I did. Just six weeks ago

Germany invaded Poland and days later the United Kingdom and France declared war

on Germany. Now a second world war is in full swing. Many are keen to keep the

United States out of it. You lean forward in your chair.

Well actually Mr President the situation in Germany is exactly what I hope to discuss with you.

All right, go on.

You open your briefcase and retrieve an envelope which you hand to the President.

I'm here to deliver this letter on behalf of Albert Einstein.

Really, Einstein?

What's this about?

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