America 1982

"Your Excellency the Governor, Mr. Prime Minister, today, our preliminary inspection is coming to an end. Thank you for allowing us to spend a very pleasant two days in Kingston, but there are still some questions that I would like to ask, such as if our summer The summit is really going to launch a simulated government activity for American high school students as the two people proposed before. How much do we need to pay to get the two of you or your country to cooperate with us?"

In the Kingston Government Building, in a reception room that was even shabbier than the oldest meeting room at Lincoln High School, Tommy Hawke asked the two leaders of this mini-nation.

Seeing Tommy Hawke looking at him first, the 69-year-old Governor Allen Lewis sat on the sofa and laughed. Without speaking, he pointed exaggeratedly at Prime Minister Madoff Compton next to him, reminding Tommy Mi, he is only the head of state in name and courtesy, and Maduf is responsible for specific affairs next to him.

"Mr. Prime Minister?" Following his movements, Tommy turned his attention to Prime Minister Maduff.

Madoff Compton's face was expressionless, as if he was deep in thought. It took him a few seconds before he thought carefully before speaking: "I'm still thinking about it. Maybe I need to look it up in a dictionary to understand it better."

"Need a dictionary to explain what a summer summit is?" Dennis asked from the side.

Madoff Compton shook his head: "No, what is a high school student?"

This answer made the four Americans stunned. Seeing the dull expressions of the four Americans, Maduf laughed happily, pointed at the stunned four people and smiled at the governor next to him: "Did you see it? I just said I It can surprise them!”

Then he proudly said to Tommy Hawke: "I know that black performers often use this technique on American talk shows..."

"I know, of course I know, Mr. Prime Minister, but I didn't expect that the leader of a country would also use this technique." Tommy Hawke then realized that the two old black men in front of him had just started singing and singing with the four of him. joke.

Maduf laughed before saying: "There is no need for payment. You are helping us to let more people know about this country and let those people come here to visit, travel and understand our history. Why should we accept payment."

"I think so too." Alan Lewis also looked at the four people: "This is a good thing for St. Vincent."

The other three people had expressions of surprise and gratitude on their faces, but Tommy Hawke frowned immediately: "No reward required? Why?"

"In the United States, after your president or foreign minister takes office, does he need to pay a monthly sum of money to the country or receive a monthly salary from the country?" Madoff asked with a puzzled face.

Tommy Hawke nodded: "Without a doubt, of course... receiving a salary."

"Child, we are consistent with Americans in this. We are also human beings, not aliens, and we abide by normal human rules. So there is no need to pay, I am not kidding, and we will pay salaries to American high school students who are employed, of course, Not much, just a commemorative national coin, and maybe not even a bunch of bananas,” Maduf said to Tommy.

Principal Susan Ryan, who was sitting next to her but had never spoken, looked at the frowning Tommy and reminded her in a gentle voice: "But this is only if you agree to help raise funds for our middle school. Tommy Huo Mr. Ke, don’t forget what you promised.”

"Of course I won't forget it." Tommy Hawke promised Susan with a perfunctory smile, then lowered his head for a moment of silence and looked at Prime Minister Madoff: "Prime Minister, can we first sign a contract of intent to finalize the general framework? For this summer camp, I hope everything is formal, not a simple verbal agreement."

"Of course there is no problem. The last time I signed a contract was a year ago. Draw up the contract, kid. You draw it up. I know that when you sign a contract, you must abide by the contract. Don't worry, we will not ask for compensation." Madoff said to Tommy - Hawke said seriously.

Tommy Hawke stood up hesitantly and took out the record he had made before: "OK, I probably thought of some terms like this, which can be used as a cooperation agreement between the two parties. After that, I will return to the United States and ask the school to arrange a lawyer to prepare a formal document. Sign another one with your country.”

Seeing Tommy Hawke's behavior, Otilia frowned slightly, while Dennis and Pam were a little surprised. Although their expressions were different, they obviously felt that Tommy's behavior at the moment was a bit excessive. His current behavior was clearly right. The two old men in front of him were very distrustful.

"Of course." Madoff still looked friendly and nodded to Tommy: "You are right, Tommy. A leader must have a contractual spirit."

…

It wasn't until the country's Prime Minister pushing a bicycle waved goodbye and got on the return plane with no one else around that Otilia said to Tommy, who was still reading the contract of intent over and over again:

"Tommy, I think the questions you asked in the conference room before were very rude. What's wrong with you? You behaved completely abnormally."

"Ms. Farrell, I can tell you what normal means. Just like the plane flight we are taking at this time is very low-priced, so there is no airport service. Not even basic meals are provided during the flight. There is only this difficult cup in front of me. I drink a lot of coffee, because the airline will not let itself lose money in business, this is called normal." Tommy Hawke fixed his eyes on the contract in his hand, then raised his head and signaled to Otilia:

"What's unusual is that your godfather and Prime Minister Madoff, their efforts are far less than their gains. For example, now I have a question. Your godfather is an alumnus of Princeton and the director of public education in Rhode Island. Why? Didn’t you send you to Princeton with a letter of recommendation?”

Otilia thought for a while and gave her own answer: "I think maybe he was just a state legislator at that time and had not 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 is the difference between you a few years ago and you now? Think about it. Miss Riel." Tommy Hawke shook his head affirmatively and continued to ask.

Otilia turned her eyes left and right a few times to show that she was thinking, then looked at Tommy again and shook her head blankly.

"Because now Miss Farrell is surrounded by American youth student leaders headed by Dennis Herbers." Dennis Herbers turned around from the front row and took off his blindfold and said.

"Dennis, sit tight during the flight and don't let me remind you a second time." Otilia did not pay attention to Dennis's teasing, but reminded Dennis to pay attention to safety.

Tommy Hawke stared at Dennis' face, thoughtfully: "I think what Dennis just said makes sense."

"Right, I knew it was because of us..."

Otilia stared at Denis and said: "Sit down, Denis, don't be too pretentious."

Seeing Otilia's serious face, Dennis sat back down, but then turned around: "As Pam's best friend, I want to remind you, Teacher Farrell, maybe you need to care about the students' spirit. state?"

"What's wrong with Pam?" Otilia heard Dennis' words and wanted to get up and look at Pam, who was sitting in the row with Dennis.

"Pam is fine, the guy is sleeping soundly holding Carly's photo." Dennis discouraged Otilia's behavior: "I want to say that Pam has a girlfriend, and as his best friend, I am I should congratulate him, but in fact, my conscience keeps reminding me that I can’t do it and I may need psychological counseling.”

Tommy Hawke, who was next to him, slowly looked at Otilia, and repeated to himself: "Dennis's words make some sense."

I was outside and used my mobile phone to code. Sorry, it’s a little late.