02-24-2019, 12:14 AM
Hotel Nanaimo Lobby, Nanaimo, Zamastan. February 23rd, 2019, 7:07am
Secretary of State Anita Grinnon-Barrett reviews the day's Tofino Leaders Summit agenda while simultaneously reviewing news updates on her Chirper feed. Fortunately it appears to be a slow news day back home in Eternity, as the leading headlines are unusually apolitical: Reactions to the new Mandatory Motorcycle Helmet Law and Gardavasque's bullish electric vehicle market. An algid chill overcomes her as she looks up to see Prime Minister Yorick Spence enter the room, accompanied by his Federal Guard Officer. Knowing he isn't empathic, she allows herself to indulge in a momentary emotional eye-roll as she savors the last quiet moment she will enjoy today. Yorick scans the room looking for any familiar face other than his entourage, whom he rarely notices anyway. Seeing Anita, the joins her at her table.
Yorick: Good Morning, Anita.
Anita: Good morning.
Yorick: How's the coffee?
Anita: (Lying) It's Trivan. I'm sure you'd like it.
Yorick: Delicious. I'll have to get some before we depart for Torfino. (Pausing a moment until she looks up from her PearPhone.) I just spoke with Biff. He wants to make sure we present a united front here at the Summit on our readiness to use tariffs to advance Gardavascan interests.
Anita: I told him that isn't going to work, and it's risky. We can catch a lot more flies with honey than vinegar. And it's pronounced "Tofino," Mr. Prime Minister.
Yorick: It doesn't matter. We're threatening tariffs regardless of what happens here. Gardavasque needs to be seen as an economic powerhouse; we need our allies to fear us. (He checks his own phone for a memo entitled "Talking Points for Anita.") Oh and also, we're not announcing any positions on WA Resolutions this week, so be sure to keep the details we discussed on the plane out of the Media. Biff is adamant we stay on message for the Summit. (His attention is drawn by a handsome hotel staffer with distinctive Skith features.) If we look... divided, we won't- we- (A mental image of himself in a sexual encounter with the hotel staffer interrupts his train of thought).
Anita: (Sensing the sudden flood of activity in Yorick's amygdala and elevating testosterone level, her voice becomes louder and more irritated than she intends.). Mr. Prime Minister, it'll be fine. (Yorick tucks his fantasy back into a dark corner of his imagination, for later, and returns his attention to Anita. But he then begins to rotate his wedding band around his finger.) We are all on the same side here. These are our allies, and we are already in a strong trade position, particularly with the auto sector, so there is little need to bring up trade tariffs this week. I will reiterate this to the President when we get back.
Yorick: Stay on message, Anita. Whatever you do. (Yorick steals one final glance at the hotel worker's jiggling cakes just as he disappears out of view).
Anita: (Yorick's indiscrete thoughts leave a salty unpleasantness on her tongue. She stands and collects her things, suddenly eager for some sweet juice.) Not to worry, Mr. Prime Minister. Now, if you'll excuse me.
Yorick: See you at lunch.
(Anita exits. Yorick reviews his "talking points" memo one final time and then anxiously looks up to see whether anyone else has observed them. Feeling composed, he stands, searching one final time in vain for that handsome hotel staffer. Just then, his phone vibrates with incoming call from his wife, Sue, literally stuns him back to the present moment.)
Yorick: (Answering, he begins to sweat) Hi, Mother...
(He exits.)
Secretary of State Anita Grinnon-Barrett reviews the day's Tofino Leaders Summit agenda while simultaneously reviewing news updates on her Chirper feed. Fortunately it appears to be a slow news day back home in Eternity, as the leading headlines are unusually apolitical: Reactions to the new Mandatory Motorcycle Helmet Law and Gardavasque's bullish electric vehicle market. An algid chill overcomes her as she looks up to see Prime Minister Yorick Spence enter the room, accompanied by his Federal Guard Officer. Knowing he isn't empathic, she allows herself to indulge in a momentary emotional eye-roll as she savors the last quiet moment she will enjoy today. Yorick scans the room looking for any familiar face other than his entourage, whom he rarely notices anyway. Seeing Anita, the joins her at her table.
Yorick: Good Morning, Anita.
Anita: Good morning.
Yorick: How's the coffee?
Anita: (Lying) It's Trivan. I'm sure you'd like it.
Yorick: Delicious. I'll have to get some before we depart for Torfino. (Pausing a moment until she looks up from her PearPhone.) I just spoke with Biff. He wants to make sure we present a united front here at the Summit on our readiness to use tariffs to advance Gardavascan interests.
Anita: I told him that isn't going to work, and it's risky. We can catch a lot more flies with honey than vinegar. And it's pronounced "Tofino," Mr. Prime Minister.
Yorick: It doesn't matter. We're threatening tariffs regardless of what happens here. Gardavasque needs to be seen as an economic powerhouse; we need our allies to fear us. (He checks his own phone for a memo entitled "Talking Points for Anita.") Oh and also, we're not announcing any positions on WA Resolutions this week, so be sure to keep the details we discussed on the plane out of the Media. Biff is adamant we stay on message for the Summit. (His attention is drawn by a handsome hotel staffer with distinctive Skith features.) If we look... divided, we won't- we- (A mental image of himself in a sexual encounter with the hotel staffer interrupts his train of thought).
Anita: (Sensing the sudden flood of activity in Yorick's amygdala and elevating testosterone level, her voice becomes louder and more irritated than she intends.). Mr. Prime Minister, it'll be fine. (Yorick tucks his fantasy back into a dark corner of his imagination, for later, and returns his attention to Anita. But he then begins to rotate his wedding band around his finger.) We are all on the same side here. These are our allies, and we are already in a strong trade position, particularly with the auto sector, so there is little need to bring up trade tariffs this week. I will reiterate this to the President when we get back.
Yorick: Stay on message, Anita. Whatever you do. (Yorick steals one final glance at the hotel worker's jiggling cakes just as he disappears out of view).
Anita: (Yorick's indiscrete thoughts leave a salty unpleasantness on her tongue. She stands and collects her things, suddenly eager for some sweet juice.) Not to worry, Mr. Prime Minister. Now, if you'll excuse me.
Yorick: See you at lunch.
(Anita exits. Yorick reviews his "talking points" memo one final time and then anxiously looks up to see whether anyone else has observed them. Feeling composed, he stands, searching one final time in vain for that handsome hotel staffer. Just then, his phone vibrates with incoming call from his wife, Sue, literally stuns him back to the present moment.)
Yorick: (Answering, he begins to sweat) Hi, Mother...
(He exits.)
<t>Our Noblest Motive is the Public Good </t>