Hey, Prime Members, you can listen to American Scandal add-free on Amazon Music, download the app today.

It's July 1973 in Bethesda, Maryland. Richard Nixon slowly opens his eyes and takes in his surroundings.

It's morning. Nixon is in bed alone and across the room sunlight is peeking through the blinds landing on a series of paintings along the wall.

Nixon rubs his eyes. He still feels disoriented. But as he slowly wakes up, he realizes where he is. It's not the White House and it's not a luxurious hotel suite.

Richard Nixon, the 37th President of the United States, is laid up in a naval hospital. His body seems to be collapsing. And four days ago, his doctors diagnosed him with viral pneumonia.

The infection sounded like it could be serious, but Nixon wasn't immediately concerned about his health. His mind saw something else.

An event that's upended his life and may be triggered the pneumonia. It has the potential to destroy Nixon's political career and could even do long-term damage to America's democracy.

It's an endless nightmare that's consumed Nixon's administration for the past 13 months.

It started when five burglars were arrested at the Watergate Complex, not far from the White House. And ever since then, there's been a steady drum beat of Scandal and intrigue.

Now it's reaching a fever pitch. And Nixon feels like he's been backed into a corner. He knows he's going to have to make some difficult decisions. Something he's used to as the President of the United States. But these choices could save his presidency or land him behind bars.

Nixon smooths his dark, thinning hair and clears his throat. Who's there? Good morning, Mr. President. It's Al Hague. Starting to disturb you, but I'm here with the legal team.

Bring him in.

Nixon hoists himself up as Alexander Hague. His chief as staff comes striding into the room. Hague is a former Army General with a square jaw on a straight back.

Everything about him projects confidence and steadfastness. There are traits that Nixon badly needs right now.

All right, what is it, Hague? Tell me you have some good news. Unfortunately, Mr. President, we have a problem. It's Butterfield, your former aide.

I have a long infection not to mention. I know who Butterfield is. What happened?

Well, sir, the Senate Committee that's investigating Watergate, they got him. Butterfield testified. And what did he say?

Hague pauses, taking a deep breath. Mr. President, he revealed the existence of the tapes.

Nixon clenches his fist. Outside his inner circle, no one knows that Nixon used a secret recording system in the White House.

It was intended to capture his private conversations. But now that the system has public knowledge, Nixon's enemies may now have what they need to take him down.

Oh, hey, this is an unmitigated disaster. You know what's going to happen next. Yes. We have to assume the Senate Committee is going to demand the tapes.

They want to know what you knew about Watergate. Well, what happens if I say no? Hard to say. But our lawyers agree that there are three options.

...