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It's March 30, 1979. Dick Thornberg sits behind his desk, staring at a jumble of wires and brass plates.

He watches a utility worker hunch over this tangled mess. Thornberg stands up and with a scowl he starts to pace around the office.

Thornberg is the governor of Pennsylvania and for the past 45 minutes his staff has been trying to clear a phone line so he can speak with President Jimmy Carter.

The President could help avert the growing crisis at 3 mile island. He has an army of experts and endless resources.

But to tap into those resources, first Thornberg actually needs to get Carter on the phone and that's proving to be incredibly difficult.

It seems like every resident in Harrisburg is on the phone making calls to worried friends and family and that means the entire city has become one giant busy signal.

That's why the utility workers in the office admit a tangle of wires and tools. It's hoped that soon Thornberg may be able to break through the jam phone lines and get a connection to the White House.

Thornberg rubs his temples as he paces the office waiting. It's been only two days since 3 mile island declared a general emergency but already so much has happened.

Thornberg set in motion a small scale evacuation for pregnant women and children. It seems like a fruident conservative measure but as far as he can tell this only made the situation worse.

Residents began to flee the area and Thornberg can sense that fear is spreading across the region.

With the increasing concerns Thornberg is now under pressure to make an even bigger decision, whether to issue a broad evacuation.

Thornberg knows that an evacuation order could profoundly impact the region. It's a heavy load that's been weighing on his soul and that's why Thornberg desperately wants to get on the phone with the president.

He needs assistance and he needs it now. Right then an aid pokes his head through a door and gives a thumbs up. The president of the United States is online three.

Thornberg leans forward to pick up the phone. A friendly voice comes over the line.

Governor Thornberg, it's Jimmy Carter. How are you holding up?

Mr. President, thank you so much for calling. I wish I could give you a positive answer but to be honest I've been better. The same goes for the whole state of Pennsylvania.

I can imagine. My team and I have been following the situation. Why don't you know that I'm making every possible resource available. So right now what would you say is your primary need?

Thornberg looks down at the newspaper on his desk with its ominous black and white image of three mile island. Sir, we need information.

Lieutenant Governor and I have gotten all kinds of contradictory assessments. Med Ed, Babcock and Wilcox, even the NRC itself, they're all telling us different things. And then they reverse their statements.

So Mr. President, I'd like to be frank but I don't want to make any enemies here.

Now please be honest, situation calls for it.

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