A Surge of Smoky Optimism


by Marco Miranda - Date: 2007-01-05 - Word Count: 548 Share This!

"There is always the need for intoxication: China has opium, Islam has hashish, the West has woman" Andre Malraux

I was privileged to listen in on a conversation between the leaders of two of the most powerful nations on the planet. I happened to be in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington DC when President Bush was visited by Tony Blair, the British Prime Minister.

It was after six pm and most activity in the White House had slowed down, if not completely stopped. I had been asked to repair the video and sound system concealed in the room. I view this installation as a vital form of security and protection of historical value. I had devised the system and was personally responsible for its maintenance and upkeep under a discreet contract with Halliburton Communications, Inc., which rewarded me with a generous fee of two million dollars a month.

While the visuals were a little hazy on this date, this is what I heard and recorded:

President: Great to see you Tony. You look good.
Prime Minister (PM): Same here, you also look great, George. So, now that we both look great, what do you ask to come in a hurry for?
President: Tony, we surge.
PM: And stay the course?
President: Yes. But the reason I called you is that I have a problem.
PM: What is it? Your Generals? Baker and Company? Mrs. Sheehan?
President: It is that obnoxious brush I have at the ranch in Crawford.
PM: Sorry to hear about that, George. It must be worrisome.
President: You see, that brush is quite similar to the type of brush that you have in some parts of England. I think it is somewhere near Manchester, around Rochdale, where that brush grows and it is only good for goats. I have no goats in Crawford.

For about one hour they discussed the brush problem on both sides of the Ocean, while I continued to work on the audio-visual system. The conversation was punctuated by long silences while they enjoyed each other's company. After a while, the President said:

President: Tony, what are you doing about your brush?
PM: We have devised a simple program. We get our illegal immigrants to clear it twice a week. No sweat.
President: Had not thought of that, Tony. I will tell Condi to get a couple of truckloads of illegals to get to it. By the way, how about some golf at Camp David?
PM: Thanks but no thanks. I can only stay a while longer. These special visits with you are really stimulating.
President: How is the war going?
PM: Don't ask me. I think it is going great. Victory is around the corner.
President: Absolutely. With my new team at Defense, we shall be celebrating the end of the war in weeks, if not days, Tony. Great parade, flowers and music and the birth of freedom and democracy in the entire Middle East!
PM: It will be great! I will come to Baghdad and join in.
President: Say, Tony, this stuff is great! Where did you get it?
PM: A friend of mine in Kabul: that is in Afghanistan George.

They both sat back and continued to inhale avidly from the large and elaborate glass pipes complete with the glass water bowl.


Related Tags: victory, president, prime minister, crawford brush

A career in international management in various countries and experience in TV and Movie writing, provide color to Marco's writing.

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