America 1982-Chapter 72 - 27: Dust Settles

"Mr. Dam, I’ve received a message that sounds like a joke—Saint Vincent has appointed an American high school student as their full delegate to attend the regular weekly meetings of the Organization of American States," said Kenneth Dam’s assistant, walking in just as the Deputy Secretary of State had finished signing a document.

Kenneth laughed and took a sip of his coffee, "The Organization of American States? What, now? Can’t those little countries in South America or Central America find a single representative who speaks English? So they hired a high school student from the United States to translate for them?"

"No, lately a children’s program has been getting high ratings, a group of high school students have been running Saint Vincent their own way. It’s a summer camp, and now they’ve realized that the United States has not fulfilled a promise made three years ago. Maybe it’s the show’s producers looking for attention or maybe the young people want to make a splash. Either way, they want to take a stand for that little country and reclaim the money."

"What promise hasn’t been fulfilled?" Kenneth frowned slightly, "I’ve just taken this position. What promise?"

"The United States previously invited Saint Vincent to join the Organization of American States and offered to provide Saint Vincent with twenty million US Dollars in aid. The condition was that the country would allow American companies to build factories and exclusively operate the sugar industry there," the assistant explained.

Deputy Secretary of State Kenneth exhaled with frustration, "Another mess from the previous Deputy Secretary of State, Mr. Stossel?"

The assistant nodded.

"I should’ve known. Stossel should’ve just stayed on as the Ambassador to the Soviet Union; career diplomats are all talk with no thought of the consequences," Kenneth complained with annoyance.

The Deputy Secretary of State in the United States needed to hold titles of many councils or committees, such as the Permanent Council of the Organization of American States, which the assistant mentioned, and that too was covered by his role, because the President and the Secretary of State had no interest in such committees, but they couldn’t ignore them completely, so the Deputy Secretary of State had to wield the authority.

However, he was not very familiar with the organization because he had only been in the role of Deputy Secretary of State for two weeks. The previous Deputy Secretary Stossel had been diagnosed with late-stage leukemia, so Kenneth was invited by President Reagan to come out of retirement and replace Stossel.

"The information I have is that this high school student named Stephen Binn has come prepared, and if we do not respond, it’s feared that eventually, every American viewer will find out about this through that program. This won’t look good for the government’s image. Moreover, the high school student seems to be very wealthy, his family being major contributors to the Democratic Party. He hasn’t even arrived in Washington yet, but he has already arranged a press conference and media meet and greets, just waiting for the meeting to happen before he calls the press conference," the assistant reported. 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

"But he’s chosen to notify us in advance," Kenneth rubbed his brows, "He’s a sensible kid, or rather, his elders have taught him well."

"Should we make the payment? If we are going to, as far as I know, aid hasn’t been fulfilled for four or five other small countries as well. If other small countries start doing the same..."

"Those small countries won’t have the chance to kick up a fuss, but we definitely need to placate the one that has already started. We’ll push the blame onto the British; they left the colonies too hastily and didn’t properly hand things over, leading to Saint Vincent’s inefficiency. The United States has had the funds ready, but there’s always been a communication issue on their side. Go with that angle. Without the efficient work methods of the American high school student to help them sort things out, they wouldn’t get the money in another ten years. This is all the mess created by the British. The audience likes comedy, so let it be a comedy. The United States is not in the wrong, and neither is the American high school student; we’re all earnestly helping that country, a beautiful resolution," Kenneth, twirling his pen in hand, stated his clear thoughts:

"The twenty million will be paid through the Inter-American Development Bank. This way, we’re still giving them the money, but it remains under our control, so we can oversee their expenditures."

...

Washington, the Pan American Union Building, headquarters of the Organization of American States.

Stephen glanced at Zoey, who had been ordered back home by her parents to be under supervision after she got into a fight with embassy staff in Barbados, and Zoey responded with a smile.

"The whole United States saw your determination to act like a shrew. How does that feel?" Stephen asked.

"Great, I love watching my friends and family, clearly furious at my boorish behavior, struggle to put on a smile and say I did well, that I’m working hard for a country to solve problems," Zoey said with a laugh. "I hope they understand what it feels like to have their words betray their true feelings. They always like to teach me to be a lady that I don’t want to be, just like that."

Stephen looked at Zoey, "But this is the United States. You’re sure you won’t hit anyone again, right?"

"I went to that faraway summer camp so I wouldn’t hit anyone in the United States," Zoey said, shrugging adorably.

Stephen mentioned the arrangements he had made, "Okay, I’ll go in to attend the meeting now. You go to the press conference first to take interviews. Put on your ladylike appearance and tell everyone that you lost your temper for a reason. After I sort things out with those people inside, I’ll return and catch up with everyone."

"Mr. Stephen Binn, I am Brad from the Inter-American Development Bank," after parting with Zoey, Stephen walked toward the main entrance of the building. A smiling elderly Caucasian man stopped him, and greeted him proactively, "May we discuss your upcoming speech?"

Stephen smiled at the elderly man, "Of course, sir. The Prime Minister instructed me before his departure that everything is negotiable as long as the aid is realized."

...

Tommy hung up the phone call from Stephen and looked at the several pairs of eyes watching him in the conference room, shrugged his shoulders, and said, "It’s settled. The promised aid has been deposited into Saint Vincent’s national account at the Inter-American Development Bank."

While the trainees cheered happily, Tommy stepped out of the government building and went to the seaside, where Madoff was still fishing as before.

"Mr. Prime Minister, I’ve just received news that the money has arrived. It’s all the fault of the English. If they hadn’t left in such a hurry, the current situation wouldn’t have occurred. The United States has agreed to more necessary exchanges between the two sides in the future," Tommy told Madoff.

Madoff set down his fishing rod, turned slowly to face Tommy, and said with a look of surprise, "You did it? I knew it! I knew you could do it. American high school students are more useful than I am as Prime Minister."

"So, I don’t have to split my earnings with you, right?" Tommy asked Madoff, squatting in front of him.

Madoff shook his head, "Of course not. Even if you hadn’t helped, we wouldn’t have thought of taking your money. You’ve done so much already, collected many books, equipment, and now, helped us secure funds. We can build hospitals, schools, repair roads... this country owes each one of you."

"Remember what I said that day? Americans hold grudges. They’ll know that you exploited American high school students for this," Tommy reminded Madoff. "I think you should consider the approach I suggested..."

"Tommy, don’t teach me, I understand your kindness. Listen, I might not be the smartest man in the country, but I’m not a fool. I’ll avoid what you’ve mentioned," Madoff said to Tommy with a chuckle. "I’m very thankful for everything you and your friends have done for this country, Tommy."

Tommy shrugged and looked to the distance, "It’s nothing. By the way, we’re heading back home tomorrow. If we don’t return in time to add ’Princeton’ to our resumes, the students’ parents who paid us wouldn’t be happy. This role-playing game is just a pastime, after all."

Madoff laughed and patted Tommy’s shoulder, "Believe me, Princeton’s professors will be waiting for you. They are wise people."

Then he slowly got to his feet and walked along the pathway toward the city, lightly pounding his lower back, "I need to share this excellent news with the Governor, tell Colin, tell Susan, tell every citizen of Saint Vincent. Like me, they’ve waited for this message for far too long."