Volume 2: Knocking on Heaven's Door Chapter 48 Return
"Your Excellency the Governor, Mr. Prime Minister, today, our preliminary inspection is about to end. Thank you all for letting us spend two very pleasant days in Kingston. However, there are still some questions that I would like to ask. For example, if our summer summit is really going to launch a simulated government affairs activity for American high school students as you two proposed before, how much money do we need to pay in order for you two or your country to cooperate with us?"
In the Kingston Government Building, in a reception room that was even more shabby than the oldest conference room at Lincoln High School, Tommy Hawke asked the two leaders of this mini country.
Seeing Tommy Hawke looking at him first, the 69-year-old Governor General Alan Lewis, who was sitting on the sofa, laughed. Instead of saying anything, he pointed exaggeratedly at the Prime Minister Maduf Compton next to him, reminding Tommy that he was only the head of state in name and courtesy, and that the specific affairs were the responsibility of Maduf next to him.
"Mr. Prime Minister?" Following his movements, Tommy turned his gaze to Prime Minister Maduf.
Maduf Compton had a blank expression on his face, as if he was deep in thought. After a few seconds, he spoke carefully: "I'm still thinking about it. Maybe I need to look it up in the dictionary to understand it better."
"Do you need a dictionary to explain what the Summer Summit is?" Dennis asked from the side.
Maduff Compton shook his head: "No, what do you mean by high school student?"
This answer made the four Americans stunned. Seeing their dazed expressions, Maduf laughed happily, pointed at the four stunned people and said to the Governor next to him: "Did you see that? I told you I could surprise them!"
Then he proudly said to Tommy Hawke: "I know that black performers often use this technique in American talk shows..."
"I know, of course I know, Prime Minister, but I didn't expect the leader of a country would use this kind of trick." Tommy Hawke finally realized that the two black old men in front of him had just sung the same tune and played a joke on the four of them.
Maduf laughed and then said, "No need for payment. You are helping us to let more people know about this country, to let them come here to visit, travel and learn about our history. Why should we accept payment?"
"I think so too." Allen Lewis also looked at the four people: "This is a good thing for St. Vincent."
The other three people showed surprise and gratitude on their faces, but Tommy Hawke frowned immediately: "No reward? Why?"
"In the United States, after your president or foreign minister takes office, do they need to pay a monthly sum to the state or receive a monthly salary from the state?" Maduf asked in confusion.
Tommy Hawke nodded. "Of course... to get a salary."
"Kid, we agree with the Americans on this point. We are human beings, not aliens, and we abide by normal human rules. So there is no need for compensation. I'm not kidding. We will pay salaries to the American high school students who are employed. Of course, it won't be too much, just a commemorative coin of our country, which may not even be enough to buy a bunch of bananas." Maduf said to Tommy.
Principal Susan Ryan, who had been sitting next to him and had never spoken, looked at Tommy, who was frowning, and reminded him gently, "But this is based on your promise to help raise funds for our middle school, Mr. Tommy Hawke. Don't forget what you promised."
"Of course I won't forget it." Tommy Hawke gave Susan a perfunctory smile and promised. Then he lowered his head and remained silent for a moment, looking at Prime Minister Maduf: "Mr. Prime Minister, can we sign a letter of intent to finalize the general framework first? For this summer camp, I hope everything is formal, not just a simple verbal agreement."
"Of course there is no problem. The last time I signed a contract was a year ago. Let's draft the contract, kid. I know that once a contract is signed, it must be abided by. Don't worry, we won't ask for any compensation." Maduf said seriously to Tommy Hawke.
Tommy Hawke stood up hesitantly and took out the notes he had made earlier. "OK, I have roughly thought of some clauses like these, which can serve as a cooperation intention contract between the two parties. I will return to the United States and ask the school to arrange for a lawyer to prepare the formal documents and then sign a copy with your country."
Seeing Tommy Hawke's performance, Ottilia frowned slightly, while Dennis and Pam were a little surprised. Although their expressions were different, they obviously felt that Tommy's performance at the moment was a bit excessive. His current behavior clearly showed that he had no trust in the two old people in front of him.
"Of course." Maduf still looked friendly and nodded to Tommy: "You are right, Tommy, a leader must have a spirit of contract."
…
It was not until the Prime Minister of this country, who was pushing a bicycle, waved goodbye and they boarded the return flight without anyone else that Ottilia said to Tommy, who was still reading the letter of intent over and over again,
"Tommy, I think those questions you asked in the meeting room were very rude. What's wrong with you? You're not behaving normally at all."
"Ms. Farrell, I can tell you what normal is. Just like the flight we are taking right now, it is cheap, so there is no airport service, and even basic meals are not provided during the flight. There is only this cup of terrible coffee in front of me, because the airline will not let itself lose money in business. This is called normal. " Tommy Hawke stared at the contract in his hand, then raised his hand and signaled to Otilia:
"The abnormal thing is that your godfather and Prime Minister Maduf paid far less than they received. For example, I have a question now. Your godfather is an alumnus of Princeton and the director of public education in Rhode Island. Why didn't he send you to Princeton with a letter of recommendation?"
Otilia thought for a moment and gave her own answer: "I think it might be because he was just a state legislator at the time and had not yet been appointed as the director of public education by the governor?"
"If he really loved you as much as this incident shows, he would definitely have sent you to Princeton back then. What's the difference between you a few years ago and you now? Think about it, Miss Farrell." Tommy Hawke shook his head affirmatively and continued to ask.
Ottilia moved her eyes left and right a few times, indicating that she was thinking, then looked at Tommy and shook her head blankly.
"Because Miss Farrell now has American youth student leaders headed by Dennis Herbers by her side." Dennis Herbers turned around from the front row, took off his blindfold and said.
"Dennis, sit still during the flight and don't make me remind you a second time." Otilia ignored Dennis's teasing and reminded him to be safe.
Tommy Hawke stared at Dennis's face, thinking: "I think there is some truth in what Dennis said just now."
"Right, I knew it was because of us..."
Otilia stared at Dennis and said, "Sit still, Dennis, and don't take it for granted."
Seeing Otilia's stern face, Dennis sat back in his seat, but then turned around and said, "As Pam's best friend, I want to remind you, Mr. Farrell, maybe you need to pay attention to the mental state of your students?"
"What's wrong with Pam?" Ottilia heard Dennis's words and wanted to stand up and look at Pam who was sitting in the same row with Dennis.
"Pam is fine. The guy is sleeping soundly with Carly's photo in his arms." Dennis dissuaded Otilia from doing this: "I want to say that Pam has a girlfriend. As his best friend, I should congratulate him, but in fact, my conscience keeps reminding me that I can't do it. Maybe I need psychological counseling."
Tommy Hawke next to him slowly looked at Otilia and repeated to himself: "What Dennis said makes some sense."
