When Elvis’ wife joined in to agree, Elvis stormed out of Graceland and took the first flight out of Memphis. It was the first time in his career he was ever alone. And as usual, had no cash on him, only an American Express Gold Card. He met up with Jerry Schilling who quickly got $500 cash, and the two got on a plane to Washington D.C..

     “Where’s the $500?” Elvis asked Jerry on the plane. “I want to give it to a guy that’s just back from Vietnam. He’s going home to see his family. I want him to have it.” ($3,800 today) Now Elvis and Jerry were penniless on their way to Washington.

     Elvis sat down and wrote a five-page letter on American Airlines stationary to President Nixon. He wanted to meet him and get an F.B.I. badge. In Washington, bodyguard Sonny West joined them, and they went to the oval office to meet Nixon.

     At the end of the meeting, Nixon gave each of them Presidential cuff links. “You know, Mr. President,” Elvis said, “these men have wives.”

     “Of course,” Nixon said. “Let’s see what we can find for the ladies.” The president went behind his desk and started searching through the drawers. Elvis moved right next to him, putting his hands into the drawers, and searching, too. They finally found three gold pins with the Presidential seal for the men’s wives.

     Elvis got his Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs badge and certificate. Given a tour, Elvis showed no interest in the portraits, plates and White House trivia. But when he passed the Global Crisis Situation Room, Elvis said, “They’ll be no fighting in the war room,” repeating the line from Dr. Strangelove, one of his favorite movies.

     A few years later, when someone stole Elvis’ very private photos from Graceland, Elvis used his badge to stop the departing plane and detain the thief.

     Jerry Schilling’s character is in the new ELVIS movie. He said, “It was amazing to see Elvis and the President in the Oval Office rummaging through his desk drawers together. Only Elvis Presley would have the audacity to do that."