GONZO GLOBAL INC. Sample - James Weitz
Transcript of GONZO GLOBAL INC. Sample - James Weitz
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GONZO GLOBAL INC.
byJamesWeitz
Before,thesehillswerecoveredwithsmallplots.Therewerevineseverywhere.Everyonecultivatedthem.Now,peoplehavebecomecarriedawaybyconsumerism.They’velosttheiridentity.Theydon’tknowwheretheycomefromorwherethey’regoing.We’vebecomereducedtothelevelofanimals,butatleastanimalschoosewhattheyeat.
-Mondovino;winemaker,Italy
…Itneverceasestoamazemethatsovereignstateshaveagreedtoinvestmentarbitrationatall…Threeprivateindividualsareentrustedwiththepowertoreview,withoutanyrestrictionorappealprocedure,allactionsofthegovernment,alldecisionsofthecourts,andalllawsandregulationsemanatingfromparliament.
-JuanFernández-Arresto,Arbitrator
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Contents
Preface
THEPRODIGALSON
MANUEL'SMISTAKE
YOUGOTTHEPESOYOUGOTTHESAY-SO
MEETTHENEWBOSS
GONZOGOESTOTEXAS
SLUMMING
THELONGARMOFTHELAW
THESCOOP
ASUITWITHOUTACAUSE
GOODENOUGHFORGOVERNMENTWORK
STRANGEBEDFELLOWS
TRUTH
HUITZILOPOCHTLIHELPSTHOSEWHOHELPTHEMSELVES
THESCALESOFJUSTICE
Epilogue
Afterword
AbouttheAuthor
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PrefaceWashingtonD.C.,CapitolHill.[August22nd,2019]
AcrossthestreetfromtheDirksenSenateOfficeBuilding,withinsightoftheU.S.Capitol,severalhundredprotestorswereholdingupsignsandchanting,“Hey,hey,ho,ho!Yourstink’ndrinkhasgottogo!”Aphalanxofpoliceofficersinthemiddleofthestreetrestedtheendsoftheirshieldsonthepavement.Afewwereyawning.Theireyeslookedeverywhereexceptattheprotestors,whowerelosingtherhythmofthechantuntiliteventuallypeteredout.Anorganizershouted,“One-two-three-four!”andtheprotestorstriedagain.Mostappearedtobeintheirseventiesoreighties,andtheirchantinghadasortofsleepy,civilizedcadencetoit.
Nexttotheofficebuilding,avandoorslidopen.Fromadoorway,awomanmotionedhurriedlytocomeinside.Fourmeninsuitsandonewomansteppedoutofthevan.Assoonastheycameintoview,theseniorcitizenscametolife.Thepolicelookedstartledasthechantingdisintegratedintoburstsofcursingandswearing.ThefourmenandonewomanhastenedintotheDirksen.
Inside,theyfollowedacongressionalaidedownalongmarble-flooredcorridor.Theonlysoundnowwastheclickety-clackoftheirshoes.Theaidelookednervous.Justbeforetheycametoacorner,shewhirledaround:“We’relate.Keepcloseandfollowmestraightintothehearingroom.”Onturningthecorner,agaggleofreportersandphotographerscameintoview15metersaway.Thephotographersimmediatelybeganshootingphotosandamomentlatercameastormofquestions:“WillyoucontinuesaleswithintheUnitedStates,Mr.Delgado?”“Howmuchmoneyareyoumaking?”“Doyoufearyouwillbearrested?”“WhatarepeopleinMexicosaying?”Thefivesqueezedthroughthecrowdofreportersandfollowedthewomanintoalargehearingroomwithwoodpaneledwallsand20-footfloor-to-ceilingwindows.Theykepttheirheadsdownandfollowedherpastahushedaudiencetoalongtableatthefront,wheretheytooktheirseats.
Facingthemandtheaudience,onaraisedplatform,severalU.S.senatorssatatalargesemi-circulardeskthatarchedthewidthoftheroom.SenatorScropeoccupiedthecenterchair.Behindhim,thegreentrimonanin-roomdoorframedhisheadlikeademonichalo.Heleereddownatthewitnessesforamomentbeforeturningonhismicrophone.
SenatorScrope:“TheSenateCommitteeonHealth,Education,LaborandPensions(HELP)isholdingthisemergencyhearinginanattempttofindoutthetruthbehindhowMexicantapwaterwasimportedintotheUnitedStatesundertheNorthAmericanFreeTradeAgreementandsoldasbottledwaterwithlaxative-likeproperties.WealsowanttounderstandthefactsandbackgroundreasoningbehindarecentNAFTAjudicialproceedinginwhichathree-membertribunalruledthattheimportationandsaleofthisproductwithintheUnitedStatescancontinue.Thetribunal,convenedunderNAFTA’sChapter11whichallowsfor“protectedinformation”tobekeptprivate,hasnotmadecleartheargumentsoftheMexican
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company.Inotherwords,theAmericanpubliccannotknowalltheinformationandrelatedreasoningthetribunalreliedontoallowthisproducttobesoldwithintheircountry.AlthoughjudicialtransparencyisafundamentalpartoftheAmericanjudicialsystem,theNAFTAtribunalisaninternationalbodybeyondthereachofAmericanlaw.Assuch,itappearstobewithinitsrightsinkeepingsomeinformationhiddenfromthepubliceye.
“Theproduct,originallysoldinstoresaroundtheAmericanSouthwest,expandeditsmarketpresencewithstartlingspeedtomanypartsofthecountry,causingperhapshundredsofthousandstobecomesick.ItisthedutyoftheFoodandDrugAdministrationtoregulatefoodandbottledwatertoensuretheyaresafeforconsumers.However,inthiscase,withNAFTAhavingalreadycircumventedourregulatorysystem,TheCentersforDiseaseControlandtheNationalInstitutesofHealtharenowworkingtocontainthisoutbreakbyeducatingthepublic.Complicatingtheirtaskisthefactthatthesaleofthisproductmaywellcontinue.ThenatureofprotectionsaffordedtoforeignbusinessesunderNAFTA,combinedwithourowndomesticregulations,seemtohavehelpedgeneratethisunfortunateoutcome.
“Fivewitnesseshaveagreedtobeheretodaytoexplainwhattheyknow.Theyaretheheadoftheimportingcompany,Mr.GonzoDelgado,hisin-housecounselBowenCohen,alegalrepresentativefromthedistributingcompany,GeorgeFlint,andtheSheriffofPhoenixArizona,RoyCole.Weappreciatetheirbeingheretoday.Aswell,AmyLiu,ajournalistwhocoveredtheseeventsfromearlyon,hasagreedtojoinus.
“Duetotheinterestsoftime,mycolleaguesandIwillbeginourquestionswithoutanyfurtherreviewofthefacts.I’lldirectmyfirstquestiontoMr.Delgado.
“Mr.Delgado,whatisyourrelationtothecompanycalledGonzoInternational?”
GonzoDelgadostaredblanklyatSenatorScropeforamoment.Insteadofansweringrightaway,hisminddriftedblanklybacktothatdayinOcampowhenitallbegan…
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THEPRODIGALSON
Ocampo,Mexico.TheChihuahuanDesert.[04/02/19,10:00AM]
Inalandofcacti,tumbleweeds,andwindblownborderlesssands,wheremenforcenturieshadresistedtheintrusionsofcivilizationandgovernedthemselvesbynothingmorethantheirownethicalcodes…withinthisland,onthesideofahill,satacantinawithnoname.Andwithinthiscantinasprawledthebodyofamanwhoseheadlayonthetableinfrontofhim.Asinglebeamofmorningsunshinecutthroughaholeintheroofandshoneuponthehead’sdirtyblondemattedhair.
Theheadbelchedandlifteditselfoffthetable.GonzoSuaveDelgadoawokeandthroughglazedpuffyeyesperceivedasetoftattooedarmmusclescontractinginfrontofhimasthoughliftingsomethingupfromunderthebar.
“Moretequila,SeñorGonzo?”
Gonzoignoredthequestion,lookedaroundwithhismouthopenandtriedtorememberwherehewas.Thecantina’swallswereaslapdashstructureofconcreteblockswithmortarthatbulgedbetweenthemlikelayercakeicing.Thefloorfollowedthegradeofthelandsuchthatitwasonefootclosertotheroofatoneendoftheroomthantheother.Aroundtheroomahandfulofmenwerepassedoutonthefloor.
Gonzolookedbackatthemaninfrontofhim.
“Youweredrinkingagainuntil4:00inthemorning,”saidthebleary-eyedbartender.
Gonzolookedagainattheprostrateclientele.
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“Everytimeyoulostahandofcards,youboughtthemdrinks,”thebartendertappedthecounter,“andneveratip,bytheway.”
Themenbeganstirringtolife.Oneofthemraisedanarm.“Hestillowestwomorerounds,”hesaid.
Gonzoshookhishead.“Drinkingdebtsdrownatdawn,Carlos.”
“BuythedamnroundssoIcangohome!”hissedthebartender.
Gonzohelduphishandsandnodded.Asthebartenderbeganpouringdrinks,fromoutsidecamethesoundofacarpullingup…aslammeddoor…footstepsongravel…amanclearinghisthroatand…aknockatthedoor.
“Whothehellknocksatacantina?”whisperedCarlos.
Thebartenderwalkedtothedoorandlookedthroughapeepholethenwhirledaround.“It’sthepriest!”
Themenshirkedbackintotheshadowsasthebartenderopenedthedoorhalfwayandsmiled.“Goodmorning,FatherNatividad.TowhatdoIowethepleasure?”
“Goodmorning,mygoodseñor,”saidthepriest.“Ihaveamessagefromafamilywhoareworriedforthewelfareoftheirson.Theyhavereasontobelievehemighthavebeentothiscantinarecently.Maybeyou’veseenhim?”Hetookaphotofromamessengerbagandhandedittothebartender.
Thebartenderyawnedandtookthephotowithoutlookingatit.“I’mafraidI’mnotatlibertytosaywhohasbeentomycantinaandwhohasnot.Mycustomersvaluetheirprivacy.”Heglancedbackintothedarkness.“Manyofthemprefertheirwhereaboutsnottoberevealed.Ihopeyoucanunderstand,Father.”
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“Verywell,”saidFatherNatividad.“Perhaps,ifyouseethemaninthephoto,youcouldlethimknowhisfamilyislookingforhim.Hisnameiswrittenontheback.”
Themenshookhands.“Icertainlywill.Thankyouforthevisit,Father.”
“Godblessyou,son.”
AsFatherNatividadwalkedaway,thebartenderlookedatthephotoandasuddenin-suckofairsoundedfrombetweenhisteeth.“Father,myapologies!”Thebartenderwavedthephotohighabovehishead.“Idoknowthisman!Andhe’srightinside!”Heopenedthedoortothedarkness.
FatherNatividad’seyebrowsjumpedlikeadeserthare.“Ihadn’texpectedtofindhimhereatthishour!Whatafortuitouscircumstance!”
Thebartendersmiledandextendedhisarmforthepriesttoenter.“I’msureitwasmeanttobe!”
FatherNatividadwalkedinside.Ashiseyesadjustedtothedimness,hisexpressionchangedfromoneofsurprisetosadness.Somanysoulssinningatsuchanearlyhour.HisgazecametorestonGonzo.“Son,Ihaveamessageforyou,”hesaid.“Butfirst,Ihaveworktodohere.”
Heturnedtotheotherpatrons,producedaBibleandabottleofholywaterfromhisbag,thenbeganreadingfromIsaiah5:12ashewalkedaroundtheroomsprinklingwaterontheclientele.Thebartenderquicklyputonanoldnarcocorrido.
FatherNatividadraisedhisvoiceabovethemusic,“Woetothosewhoriseearlyinthemorningthattheymaypursuestrongdrink!Whostayuplateintheeveningthatwinemayinflamethem!TheydonotpayattentiontothedeedsoftheLORD!Honorablemenarefamished—andtheirmultitudeisparchedwiththirst!”
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FatherNatividadclosedtheBible,turnedbacktoGonzoandshoutedabovethemusic.“Mr.Delgado,Iamheretodeliveramessage.Perhapsyouoverheardmetalkingtothebartender?”
“Yes,Idid,”Gonzoshoutedback.
“Sohowdidyouwindupsofarfromyourhomewhenyouhavesuchanicefamily?”
“Well,Father,”Gonzo’svoicequivered.“I’minlovewithagirlhereinOcampo.HernameisAmeriga.IcometoseeherasoftenasIcan,butshealwaysrefusestotalkwithmeandthenIwinduphere.”Gonzo’seyesseemedtogazeatsomethingfaraway.“WemetayearagohereinGuanajuato.Sheandherfamilyweresellingproducebythesideoftheroad.WhenIboughtsomestrawberries,shesmiledatme.Atthatmoment,ItookonelookintoherbeautifuleyesandknewthatIlovedher.”Gonzo’seyeswelledwithtears.“Icantellshe’spure!Butshewon’thaveanythingtodowithme!”Ateartrickleddownhischeek.“WhatcanIdo,Father?”
“Perhapsyoucanwooher,son.”
Gonzoslumpedasasuddenlookoffearpassedoverhisface.“ButIdon’tknowhow…MymothersaysI’vegotnosocialskills.”Gonzoburstintosobs.FatherNatividadlookedaroundquicklyattheothermeninthecantina,butnooneseemedtobepayinganyattention.
“Takeiteasy,son,”saidFatherNatividad,restingahandonGonzo’sshoulder.“I’msureyoucouldbringheraround.I’mtoldyoucomefromaverygoodfamily.”
AtFatherNatividad’swords,Gonzo’smindwanderedtohisearliestmemoryofAmerigaonthatdaywhenheboughtthestrawberriesandwalkedwithheraroundherfamily’sfarm.Therollinghillsfulloffruitwereasbeautifulasshewas.Whenheaskedhowtheygotsuchgoodharvests,Amerigasaidthatdespiteoccasionalwatershortages,theycouldstillpumpinfromthenearbycity,thoughthewaterwastaintedwithvariousimpurities.ShewaspassionateabouttheissueofcleanwaterandtalkedforalongtimeabouthowalackofitwasoneofMexico’sbiggestproblems.
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“Can’ttheyjustcollectrainwater?”Gonzoasked.
“Impossible!”Amerigashotbackangrily.“Didn’tyoulisten?Theproblemismuchmorecomplicatedthanrainwater!”
ItmadeGonzo’sbrainhurttryingtounderstandwhatAmerigawassaying.Butshesurelookedsexy,allhotandbotheredlikethat.Onlyweekslater,whenGASMAXtookherfamily’slandinaforcedsalefarbelowmarketvalue,Gonzowonderedhowwoundupshemightgetifheexplainedthelegaljustificationforeminentdomain.Theensuingslapacrosshisfacewasascloseashehadevergottentoawoman.AndwhileAmerigaroaredaboutlandandfreedom,allhecouldthinkofwasthelittletinglerunninguphisleg…
FatherNatividadclearedhisthroatandGonzo’smindcamebacktothepresent.Hewipedhishandacrosshisrunnynoseandlookedupatthepriest.“Myfamilyisexactlytheproblem.MyunclehasahighpositionatGASMAXandheusedhisconnectionstogetmeajobthere.ButGASMAXtookAmeriga’sfamilyfarmlandforoildrillingandgavethemverylittlecompensation.Thenshebrokeupwithme!”Gonzosobbedagainandburiedhisfaceinhishands.
FatherNatividadrolledhiseyestowardstheskyandtookadeepbreath.“Youmustbestrong,Gonzo!Whenyoushowawomanthemanthatyouare,thenshewillcometoyou.Rememberyou’vegotagoodjobandprospects.”
Gonzolookedupandwipedawayhistears.“WhyFather!You’reabsolutelyright.ThankGodfornepotism,”hesniffed.
FatherNatividadgrimacedandturnedaway.“Godworksinmysteriousways….”Hegesturedtowardsthecantina.“Theimportantthingnowisthatyougethome.It’snothealthyhere.”
“Thankyou,Father.IappreciateyourdeliveringthemessageonaSundaymorningwhenyouhaveotherresponsibilities.”
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“Sundaymorning?”FatherNatividadstaredatGonzo.“Whyit’sMonday,son!Thisismydayoff.”
Gonzosmackedhishead.“Ohshit!”
Suddenly,atonesoundedonGonzo’sphone.Ashereadthemessagehiseyesgrewlargeandhisjawwentslack:AGREATNEWOPPORTUNITYAWAITSYOUINTHEPRIVATESECTOR!!!GonzojumpedupandsmiledatFatherNatividad.“Whatablessingyourvisithasbroughtme,Father!Myuncleseemstohavefoundmesomeworkwithanothercompany!MaybeAmerigawon’thatemeafterall.Ihavetogetbackquickly.Icanstillcatchtoday’sflight,ifIhurry!”
FatherNatividadstoodup.“I’llgiveyouaridetotheairport,”hesaid.
Gonzowenttothebartopaythetab.“Hey,everyone!Ihavetogetbacktothecapital.I’vegotanewjob!”heshouted.
Themenhadjustfinishedtheirtwotequilas.CarloswalkedupandwrappedanarmaroundGonzo’sshoulder.
“Gonzo,you’reagentlemanandascholar.”
“AmI?”askedGonzo.
“Indisputably.”
Carlosshoutedattheothermenatthebar.“LetmebethefirsttocongratulateourgoodfriendGonzowhohasjustgottenanewjobinthecapital!”
“Hurray!”themencheered.
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“Anotherround!”shoutedCarlos.
“Hurray!”themencheered.
“OnGonzo!”shoutedCarlos.
“Hurray!”themencheered.
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Onthewaytotheairport,FatherNatividadtalkedabouthow,liketheprodigalson,Gonzohadbeenblessedwithasecondchance.HewouldneedtoworkhardtowinAmeriga’slove.Nomorevisitstothedesert.Nomore10:00AMtequilas.
ButGonzowasmessagingonhisphoneallthewhileandeventuallycalledhisuncleManuel,whoexplainedthatsomeveryunusualeventshadtakenplacejustthatmorningandthingsweremovingquickly.HehadhadanimpromptumeetingwiththeCEOofGASMAXandtwoPetroleumCommitteemembersfromtheMexicanChamberofDeputies.Anewproject,bottledwaterforexporttotheUSA,wasintheworks.GonzoneededtogetahandleonrelevantU.S.regulationsaheadofanothermeetingthenextday.AndhewassureGonzowouldprojectamatureandprofessionaldemeanorbefittinghispositionatGASMAX.
Foramoment,Gonzowonderedwhyhisunclewouldhelphimgetanotherjobafterhehadshirkedhisresponsibilitiesforthelastfewmonths.Butthethoughtfadedinalmostthesameinstantitsuggesteditself,andinitsplacecamevisionsofabeautiful,enragedAmeriga.
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Duringthecongressionalhearing
AtaKStreetrestaurant-barnearFarragutSquareindowntownD.C.,onlyacouplemilesfromtheDirksenSenateOfficeBuilding,agrey-hairedman,perhapsinhismid-sixties,wearingasuitandtie,satwatchingthehearingliveonanoverheadTVtunedtoC-Span.Hehadaworried,almostguiltylooktohim,likethatofamanwhoboreaheavyconscience.Hecalledthebartenderoverandorderedabeer.
“Gettingstartedearly,”saidtheyoungbartender.
“That’sright.”ThemandidnottakehiseyesofftheTV.
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“So,you’reinterestedinthiswholeMexicanwaterbusiness?”
“Yes,”saidtheoldman.Headdedunderhisbreath,“or,perhaps,Ishouldsayit’sinterestedinme.”
“Why’sthat?”askedthebartender.
Themanlookedstartledasifhehadnotexpectedthebartendertohearhisremark.“Well,”hesaid,“that’smynephewtestifyingupthere.”
“Youdon’tsay,”thebartenderlookedupattheTV.
SenatorScrope:“Mr.Delgado?Mr.Delgado?”
GonzoDelgado(joltingforward):“Yes!”
SenatorScrope:“I’llrepeatthequestion.WhatisyourrelationtothecompanycalledGonzoInternational?”
GonzoDelgado:“IamtheownerandCEO.”
SenatorScrope:“AndyourcompanywasresponsibleforimportingthisproductintotheUSA?”
GonzoDelgado:“Correct.”
Senator:“WouldyoufirsttellmewheretheideatoexportwatertotheUSAcamefrom?”
GonzoDelgado:[Speakingthroughaninterpreter]First,IwanttosaythatIwasworkingveryhardinmynormaljob,andIwasquitehappythere.ButIrealizedthatunderNAFTA,itwouldbepossibletofindnewwaystoenhancetradeandraisethequalityoflivesofboththeAmericanandMexicanpeopleaftermyunclegavemetheidea…
BowenCohen,sittingtoGonzo’sright,leanedoverandwhisperedsomethinginhisear.
SenatorScrope:Whatdoyoumeanyourunclegaveyoutheidea?
GonzoDelgado:Well…hewasretired.Hetoldmehewassittingaloneathomeonedaywithoutmuchtodo,anditjustcametohim.Itwasnotforprofitthatweshoulddothis,hetoldme,butforthebenefitofthepeopleofbothnations—
SenatorScrope:I’mnotsuretheAmericanpeoplearehappytobethebeneficiariesofyourbusiness.Butverywell,Mr.Delgado.Youclaimyouweredistractedfromyourformerjobbyyouruncle.Maybe,youcanclarifyhowthisallbegan.Yourunclewastheinspirationfortheidea?Didheplayanypartinstartingupthebusiness?
BowenCohenwhisperedagaininGonzo’sear.
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GonzoDelgado:Ohno,no.HeonlysuggestedtheideainpassingandIoccasionallybouncedsomeideasoffhim,justasweetoldmanwho’snotreallyallthere…
Thebartenderloweredhisheadandturnedawayinembarrassment.Themanatthebarspokeinastrongvoice:“Mynephewisaclownwhohaslearnedtolie,whichisthemostdangeroustypeofclown.”Heranhishandthroughhishair.“Buthowdoesoneblameaclown?”Hetookalongswallowfromhisbeerandturnedtothebartender.“Peopleonlylookaftertheirownself-interest,thesedays.Nooneisinterestedlearningintruth.”
Theyoungbartenderperkedup.“I’minterestedinlearningthetruth,”hesaid.
“Whatmakesyousosureyouwanttoknowthetruth?”
“I’mstudyinginternationaltrade.It’srightupmyalley.”
“Ha!Astudentofinternationaltrade,areyou?I’llneedtoperformemergencytriageonyoubeforeyoucanunderstandthetruth.”Theoldmanhelduphisemptyglass.“Getmeanotheroneofthesebeforewestart.”ThebartenderbeganfillinganotherglassasManuelthoughtbacktothatfatefuldayinMexicoCity…
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MANUEL'SMISTAKE
MexicoCity.Inthehighplateausofsouth-centralMexico.[8:30AM,90minutesbeforeFatherNatividad’svisittotheOcampocantina.]
Atallmaninablacksuitlopeddownanarrow,crowdedsidewalkindowntownMexicoCity.Theloosemovementsonhislargeframeunfoldedinanobliviousandawkwardmanner,likeadazedfightingbullinitsfinalpasses.Hewastalkingonamobilephoneashisfootknockedoverapanhandler’scup,scatteringcoinsalongthesidewalkandintoaguttergrate.Thepanhandlershoutedinprotest,butthemanappearednottohear.Astraydogcurledinitstailasitseyesfollowedthebull’slopingprogress.
Thepanhandlercollectedwhatcoinshecouldandquicklysetoffinpursuitoftheoffender,whowasthenstandinginfrontoftheentrancetoa60-storyglassofficebuilding,stilltalkingonhisphone.
“ButLily,you’reGonzo’ssecretary!Whatdoyoumeanyouhavenotseenhimforaweek?”
“Well,Manuel,maybehe’sbeenhereandIjustdidn’tnotice.”
“Don’tcoverforhim,Lily.”
“I’mnotcoveringforhim.I’mjustsayingit’spossiblehewasherewhenIwasnot.Whydoyouneedtoknow?Wait,Manuel!What’sthatvoiceinthebackground?”
Thepandhandlershouted,“Hastalavictoriasiempre!”-Untilthevictoryforever!
“Idon’tknow.Abeggar,Ithink,”saidManuel.
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“Tierraylibertad!”-Landandfreedom!
“What’sheyellingabout?Isheyellingatyou?”
“No,no.Ithinkhe’sjustyellingaboutarevolution,Lily.Whatwereyousaying?”
“Tudineroessucio!”-Yourmoneyisdirty!
“Oh,nevermindthen!Didyouhearmyquestion?”
“Whichquestion?”Manuelpivotedabittoevadetheshouting.
“Itsoundsveryloudthere!I’llcallyouback.”
“No,Lily.I’llbeupinaminute.”
ManuelhungupandsawtwosecurityguardswalkingdirectlytowardshimfromtheentranceoftheGASMAXofficebuilding.Heturnedaround.Thepanhandlerwasshoutingathim!AsmallcrowdhadgatheredandwasstaringatManuelandthemadman.Oneoftheguardssmiledatthepanhandler.“Hey,takeiteasy,friend.What’stheproblem?”
“Themanowesme50pesos!”shoutedthebeggar.
“Isthattrue?”theguardaskedManuel.
“It’snottrue.Ihavenoideawhathe’stalkingabout.”Manuelshruggedhisshouldersandshowedhishands.
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Theguardgrabbedthebeggarbythearm,tookhimafewmeterstothesideandspokequietly,“Doyouknowwhothismanis?Heisnotsomeoneyouwantproblemswith.”Hecuttheairashemadehispoints.“There’snoreasonhewouldstealyourmeasly50pesos.”
Thebeggargesturedpleadingly.“Butit’sthetruth!Hespilledmycoinsintothegutter.”
“Thengopickthemoutofthegutteroryou’llhavemoreproblemsthanafewlostcoins.AmIclear?”
Thebeggarimmediatelyturnedandwalkedbackfromwherehehadcome.ThecrowddispersedastheofficersescortedManueltowardstheentrance.“Letusknowifthislunaticgivesyouanymoreproblems,Mr.Gonzalez.”
“Iwill,”saidManuel.“Thanksbothofyouforyourhelp.”
“That’swhatwe’reherefor,”saidoneoftheguardsasheopenedthedoor.Inside,ManuelscannedhisIDnexttoaneight-and-a-halffoothighfloor-to-ceilingmetal-toothedrevolvingdoor.AcomputeridentifiedhimtoanattendantasManuelGonzalez,adepartmentheadatGASMAX,theMexicanstate-ownedpetroleumcompanywhoseofficestookuptheentirebuilding.Afterthelocksclickedupfromthefloor,hecarefullyscuffedalonginahalf-arc,thenexitedasthelocksclickedbackintoplace.Hecrossedthelobby,enteredtheelevator,gotoffontheninthfloorandwalkedforawhilepastmostlyemptyoffices.FewGASMAXemployeeshadarrivedyet,butLilywasearly.
“Goodmorning,Lily.You’relookingbeautifultoday.”
“Goodmorning,Manuel,”Lilysmiled.“Howareyou?”
“Nocomplaints,exceptforGonzo.Hismotherislookingforhim.Shehasnotheardfromhimindays.”Manuelranhisfingeroverhismustache,asifhidingasmalllie.“Ididn’thaveachancetoaskyouonthephonewhenhemightbein.”
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“Letmecheckhisschedule.”Lilyscruncheduphernose.“Mmmm,hedoesn’thaveanyappointments.I’mnotsurewhenhe’scoming.”
Manuelfrowned.“Doyouknowifhegotmyphonemessageslastweek?”
“Ileftthemessagesonhisdesk.”
“What’sheworkingonnow?”
“Eh,he’sdoingsomeresearchforareport.”
“Whatreport?”
“Itis,eh,letmefindit,”Lilyshuffledthroughsomepapersonherdesk.“It’sbetterIreadittoyouthanrelyonmymemory.Hereitis:RevisitingtheSiesta:NappingandWorkerProductivityinMexico.”
Manuelrestedhisforearmheavilyonthechest-highpartitionscreeninfrontofLily’sdesk.
“Howmanypagessofar?”
“Sofar,thereisonlythetitlepage,Manuel.”
Manuelavertedhisgaze.“Howlonghaveweknowneachother,Lily?”
“Well,Istartedworkingheretwenty-fiveyearsago.Youwerealreadyhere.Wemetthen.”
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“Twenty-fiveyearswe’vebeencolleaguesandfriendsandIalwaysavoidedfavoritismandkeptmynoseclean,right?”
“Ofcourse!”Lilylookedsurprised.“YouchairedtheTransparencyCommittee.Everyoneknowsthat.”
Manuelshotuprailstraightatthecomplimentandallowedhimselfararesmile.Then,heturnedbacktoLily,frownedagainandgesturedtowardsGonzo’soffice.“NowyouknowwhyIalwaystrytofollowtherules.”Heliftedhisindexfingerhighintheair.“Nexttimemywifeasksmetodoafavorforherfavoritesister,remindmethatherfavoritesister’ssonalreadyhasajobhere.”
LilyeyedManuelthewayanadultlooksatamisbehavingchild.“I’llremindyou,”shesaid.
“Myonemistake,”Manuelmutteredasheturnedandwalkedbackdownthehallway.Hetooktheelevatortothe58thfloor,satdownathisdeskandloggedontohiscomputertocheckforemails.Therewasonlytheonehehadseenthenightbefore.Itwasfromhisyoung45-year-oldboss,thenewCEO20yearshisjunior,whowassupposedlypossessedofwondrousnewvisionsforGASMAX.
Pleasecomeseemeinmyofficetomorrowmorningat9:00o’clocksharptoreviewsomeproductionfigures.Othersolutionsareneeded.Seeattached.TwofederaldeputiesfromtheMexicanCongresswillbepresent.Arecenthire,GonzoDelgado,mayberightforanupcomingproject.
-JoseHatem
ChiefExecutiveOfficer,GASMAX
Manuelfeltchillsatthementionofhisnephew.HecouldnotthinkhowHatemwouldknowGonzo’snamenorofanyprojectthatGonzowouldbegoodfor.Butwhyworry?OnlyLilyknewaboutGonzo.Andnothingabouttheemailreallymadeanysense,anyway.AsDepartmentHeadofLegal,productionstrategywasnothisexpertise.TheattachedfiguresweresimplyverygeneralnumbersthatdocumentedGASMAX’swell-knowndeclineinoilandgasproduction.
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Justashewasabouttoheadtothemeeting,hisphonerang.Itwashiswife,Mariela.
“Mani,mysisterfoundGonzo,”shesaid.
“Where?”
“He’swinteringinthedesert.”
“Wintering?Whatonearthdoyoumean?”
ManuelheardMarielainhaleandexhalefromacigarette.“It’scoldhere.It’swarmthere.Andit’sthewinter.That’swhatImean.”
“Whereexactlyishe?”
“He’sinthenorth,nearOcampo.”
“Ocampo?”Manuel’seyesmovedupandtotheleftforamoment.“That’shundredsofmilesawayinthedesert.Thedesertisn’tsafeforGASMAXemployees.Theygetkidnappedthere!”
“Hehasn’tbeenkidnapped.”
“Butnothingexiststhere.”
“Ournephewexiststhere.”
“Whyintheworlddidhegothere?”
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“He’sinlove,Mani.”
“What?Thisisn’tatimetotalkontangents,Mariela.Tellmeexactlywhereheisandmaybewecangethimbacksafely.”
“Somebodyisontheirwayrightnowtotalktohim.”
“Already?”
“We’vearrangedforFatherAlcazartohelpusretrievehim.”
“FatherAlcazarwillretrieveGonzo?”
“Notexactly.HeknowsapriestinOcampo,andthepriestclaimstoknowwherehemightfindGonzo.FatherAlcazarassuredmetheywillbediscrete.YouknowGonzoalwayslookeduptotheclergywhenhewasachild.Ithinkhewilllisten.”
“Ihaven’tseenGonzoinchurchinmorethanadecade,”saidManuel.
“Allthebetter!Priestslovetoconvertthosewhohavestrayedfromtheflock.Besides,whoelseshouldwesend?”
Manuelthoughtforamoment.“Youdidn’ttellmeexactlywhyhewenttheretobeginwith.”
“Yousaidnottotalkontangents.”
“Itakeitback.”
“He’sdoing…something-I-don’t-remember,”Marielasaidinasecretivestaccato.
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Manuel’svoicewaveredwearily.“Youdon’tremember?”
Manuelheardhiswifeinhaleandexhaleagain.AsshetoldthestoryofGonzo’sunrequitedloveforAmeriga,herwordsreverberatedinsidehisheadliketheplotofasecond-rateMexicansoapopera.Heclosedhiseyesandtookadeepbreath,whilehisnormallylight-skinnedplacidvisagetookonanindignantindigohue.
***
Duringthecongressionalhearing
“Why’dyougiveyournephewajobtobeginwith?”askedthebartender.
Manuel’smouthtwistedaskew.“MywifeandIneverhadchildren.So,shealwayswantstohelpherniecesandnephews.Andshecomesfromarichfamily…”Manuelshrugged.“Anyway,Ionlyhadsixmonthsuntilretirement.Ifiguredwhatharmcoulditdo?”Hecringedasheheardhisnephewtrytonegotiateanotherquestion.“Please,”hesaid,“getmeanotherbeer.Youknow,ifhefinisheshistestimonywithoutsayingsomethingheshouldn’t,maybeitwillbesafeformetogobacktoMexico.”
“What’swaitingforyoubackinMexico?”askedthebartender.
“Sometimes,it’sbetternottoasktoomanyquestions,”saidManuel.
“Idon’tmeantopry.Butit’sjustwhatI’mdoingmygraduateresearchin.”
Manuel’sbrainwasbuzzingfromthebeer.“Verywell,”hesaid.“YouseethatSenatorupthere,lookingforthetruth?Hewon’tfindit.Thetruthisthereisnothingstraightforwardaboutinternationaltrade,leastofallinMexico.ThetruthisIwasaconfidentmanwithintegritybeforethiswholemessbegan…”
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3
YOUGOTTHEPESOYOUGOTTHESAY-SO
MexicoCity.[9:00AM]
ThelightsdimmedandablurredmapofMexicoandnearbycountrieswhirreddownfromtheceiling,bringingthecountriesandcitiesofNorthAmericaintofocus.FirstcameCanadaanditsvastfrozenprovincesfollowedbythenorthernU.S.states.Next‘SONORANDESERT’and‘CHIHUAHUANDESERT’appearedinlargefontacrossthesouthernpartsofCalifornia,Arizona,andNewMexico,extendingfarsouthoftheRioGrandintoMexico.ThencameBajaCaliforniaontheleft,withMexicoCitynearthebottom.
ManuelsatataconferencetablewithJoseHatem,andPabloUrdialesandRicardoTraficante,twoelectedmembersofthefederalChamberofDeputies,thelowerhouseofMexico’slegislativebody.Whenthescreencametoastop,ManuelshiftedhisattentiontoPablo,whostoodnexttoit,bouncingtheendofalongpointerstickonthefloor.Hewasshortenoughsothat,whenthestickbouncedup,thetipreachedthecrownofhishead.Acrossthetable,Ricardotwirledapencilinhishandandslumpedsofardownthathisdoublechinappearedtorestonhischest.
“Quiteabigmap,”saidHatem.
Pabloabruptlysteppedforward,grabbedhisstickwithbothhands,lookedintentlyathisaudience,then,raisinghischin,swungaroundonhisheelandwithasimultaneousarchingmotionsmackeditsquarelyonMexicoCity.
“Wearehere!”
Thepointer’sdownwardperturbationagainstthescreenkickedintheautomaticretractionmechanism.MexicoCityquicklydisappeared.Pablograbbedthescreenandjerkedhard,causingtheretractingmechanismtomalfunctionandjoltthescreenupanddownwhileemittingathroatycat-ballnoise.Thesuitsgaveastart!Pablojerkedhardagain,thistimecausingthescreen,andwithitthewholeoftheNorthAmericancontinent,tocomecrashingtothefloor.
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Largemotesofdustanddebrisdashedaboutintheprojector’safterglow.Hatemgotupandhurriedacrosstheroom.“AreyouOK,Pablo?Anythinghurt?”
“IthinkI’mfine.”Pablolookedaroundathisaudience.“Pleaseexcuseme,gentlemen.Wedidnotanticipatesuchanevent.”
“It’sentirelyourmistake,”saidHatem.“Weneedtogetthescreenmoresecurelyfastened.”
“Maybe,wecanjustgiveaquicksummaryfornow,”saidPablo.
HatemsmiledandgavetheOKsign.“That’sallweneed,”hesaid.
Pablobeganagain.“Essentially,themapshowshowthesameexportroutesforMexicancrudeoiltotheUnitedStatescanbeusedforbottledwaterexport.”HestoodinoneplaceandlookedonlyatManuel.“SomeofthedistributionroutestogasstationsintheU.S.arerightintheareaswithhighconcentrationsofMexican-Americancommunities.That’swherewearelikelytofindthemostcustomersforMexicanbottledwater.”
RicardobrokeinandalsoaddressedManuel.“There’sanobviousdemandintheveryhotAmericanSouthwest.TherearealsomanyMexicanslivinginthosesameareaswhomightliketheideaofbuyingbottledwaterfromtheirhomeland.”HestartedlookingbackandforthbetweenHatemandManuel,whoremainedsilent.“Asforpricing,we’vedonesomeresearchthatshowswecanundercuttheaveragepriceforbottledwaterby20%.ThecostofbottledwaterintheStatesishigh,almostthesameasforsoda.Lookingatthewholepicture,wethinkthereisrealpotential.Butmostimportantly,we’vegottothinkaboutdistribution.”
“Andthat’swherewe’llcomein,”HatemsaidtoManuel.
“Doyouhaveanymoreinformationonthat?”askedRicardo.
27
“Notyet,”saidHatem.“WewanttomakesureeverythingissetuponthisendbeforewemakecontactwiththedistributorsinTexas.”HeturnedtoManuel,“Wecanuseourconnectionswithpetro-productdistributorstosellthroughoutthesouthwest.”
“We’vediscussedmuchofthisbefore,”saidRicardo.“ButManuel,youbeingalawyer,I’mcurioustogetyourreactionfromalegalstandpoint.”
Waterexportforastate-runoilcompany?Manuelstudiedthefacesintheroombutnoonewaslaughing.Hetouchedtheendofhislongdroopingmustacheforamoment,thenventuredwhatseemedlikeasaferesponse.“TherearewatershortageshereinMexico.LookattheproblemsthelocalsgaveNegraModeloinMexicaliwhenitworkedinsecretwiththegovernmenttotapintothepublicwatersupplyforbeerexport.”
Ricardothrewouthishandsandmaybegavealittleshrug,thoughtherewassomuchfathangingonhistorsoitwasdifficulttell.“Nomyfriend!Noneedtoworryaboutwatershortagesonthissideoftheborder.”Heclosedhiseyesandlaughed.“Mexicansarearesourcefulpeople.No,no.Themainissueisfindingthecheapestway.ThewaterwillbesourcedfromhereinMexicoCity.”
Manuelblinkedrapidlyseveraltimes.“Youmeantapwater?Whataboutpurification?Andwhynotsourceitclosertotheborderthen?”
Foramoment,Ricardostaredwide-eyedatManuel,asifhehadn’texpectedanyrealobjection.“Thesearenotlegalconsiderations.”
“Buttheymightgiverisetolegalchallenges,”saidManuel.
RicardolookedawayandtwirledhispencilbetweenhisfingerswhileaddressingManuelinaflattone.“Weneedtokeepclosetabsonthebusiness.Wethinkwecanfindwaystodefraytransportationcosts.”Henoddedperfunctorilyashemadehispoints.“Tapwaterisinexpensivetobeginwith.Andmostbottledwatergoesthroughunnecessarilyexpensivepurificationprocesses.”
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“Isee,”saidManuel,sensingheshouldnotpresstheissue,butinsteadgettotheonepointthat,asalawyer,hecouldnotavoid.“IshouldmentionthattheMexicanConstitutionbarsthepublicsaleofmunicipalwaterwithoutaconcessionfromthegovernment,whichisverydifficulttoget.”
Pablobrokein,“Manuel,wearethegovernment…”
Hatemclearedhisthroat,“Yougentlemencangetintomoredetailslaterafterwegetourlegalteamworkingonthis.”HelookedatManuel,whodidnotrespond.
“Good,”saidRicardo.“Withourtimeline,thesoonerwemeetthebetter.Whatabouttomorrowafternoon,3:00?”
“Yes,”saidHatem.“Ifit’sconvenientforeveryone,youcouldallmeetattherevolvingrestaurantinthehigh-rise,inSantaFeneighborhood.”
“Goodidea!”Pablosaid,walkingovertothetable.Hethrewuphishands,asifframingapicture.“Ithasagreatviewofthecity!Manuel,willyoubeabletomakeitat3:00?”
“He’sfreethen,”HatemansweredforManuel.“Andafteryougentlemensortoutthedetails,we’llcontactthedistributors.”Hatemstoodup,smiledandslappedRicardoandPabloontheback.“Thingsaremovingahead.Icanfeelmoneyrollinginalready!”
“Positivethinking!”saidRicardo.Heliftedafinger.“That’sthekindofattitudeyourpredecessorlacked.”TurningtoManuel,hesaid,“Manuel,Ilookforwardtoworkingwithyou.”Ricardoreachedouthishand.
Manuelstoodup,shookRicardo’shand,andofferedanoncommittalresponse.“Aninterestingproposal,indeed.”
***
Afterthefederaldeputiesleft,HatemmotionedforManueltositdowninoneofthechairsclosebythatwasarrangedaroundacoffeetable.
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“Manuel,I’msorryIdidn’thavetimetofillyouin.Theycalledatthelastminute.”Manuelacknowledgedtheexplanationwithanodofhishead.Hatemsatdown,restedhiselbowsonhiskneesandbroughthisfingertipstogether.“Whatdoyouthink?”
Manuelwasn’tsurewhethertolaugh.EveryoneknewGASMAXwasastate-ownedcompanyconstitutionallybarredfromdoingbusinessinanycommercialsectorexceptoilandgas.Hetriedtoaccommodatethestupidityofthequestion.
“Wecouldattempttogetpermissionfromthegovernment,”hesaid.“Though,itwouldprobablybeeasiertogetthegovernmenttoincorporateaseparatepubliccompany,allowingthatcompanytomakeuseofGASMAXresourcesasneeded.”
“Youmeanthewaywealreadyincorporatesubsidiariesforthedifferentfacetsofourpetroleumproduction?”askedHatem.
Manuelshrugged.“Moreorless.Butitwouldhavetobeaseparatecompany,ofcourse.”
“Aseparatecompany.That’sinteresting,”Hatemrubbedhischinbetweenhisthumbandforefinger.“Whataboutmakingitprivate,insteadofgoingthroughthegovernment?”
ManuelleveledhisgazeonHatemforamomentbeforereplying.“ThatoptionisnotwithinthemandatelaidoutforusbytheConstitution.”Hepausedtowaitforsomeindicationthatmightsignalaglimmerofunderstanding.ButHatemonlyreturnedablankstare.“Indeed,”continuedManuel,“itcouldbeconstruedasusingpublicassetsforprivategain,whichisillegal.”
“Trueenough,Manuel.Iappreciateyourfrankassessment.”Hatemleanedback,crossedhislegs,andrestedhiselbowsonthearmrests.“However,wearesomewhatconstrainedbycircumstance.It’salwayswisetotestanewbusinessmodelonasmallscalebeforeitbecomesfullyoperational.Otherwise,weriskwastingtaxpayermoney.”Hatemgaveafewhandtwirls.“Itcouldproveprofitablewithtimethough.Especiallyforthosewhoareinonitearlyon.”Hateminclinedhisheadandraised
30
hiseyebrowsatManuel.“YouaretheonewhohasdecadesofinternationallegalexperiencewithNAFTA,andregulationsintheStates—notme,notthefederaldeputies.”
Manuelhadresistedsuchblandishmentsbefore.Hisreputationwascleanandheintendedtokeepitthatway.“Jose,I’mflattered.ButI’mnotthatexperiencedwithNAFTAandU.S.regulations,especiallywhenitcomestoconsumerproducts.Andbesides,myhandsarefullwithGASMAXworknow.”Manuelshruggedtoindicatehehadnochoiceinthematter.
“Oh,that’sright,”saidHatem,whowastakingamomenttocheckamessageonhisphone.Manuelbegantosenserelief.Hehadstoodhisgroundwithhisnewboss.TheupstartCEOwouldbackdownandtheycouldbothpretendthismeetinghadneverhappened.AfterHatemcheckedhismessage,helookedbackupandraisedhisindexfinger.“That’swhyIwouldn’tletittaketimeawayfromyourregularresponsibilities.”
ManuelsawthatHatemassumedhemustbeusedtoparticipatinginhigh-levelcorruptionafter30yearsofworkingatGASMAX.Somethinglike15%ofGASMAX’sbudgetwaslosteachyear,payingforunneededservicesprovidedbyprivateshellcorporationsthatwereawarded‘contracts’for‘work’.ManueltookadeepbreathandwasabouttorespondbeforeHatempressedonwithhispitch.
“Don’tworrymyfriend!”Hatemsmiled.“You’repartoftheelite.You’llbewell-rewarded,andnobodyheregetsintotroubleforthinkingoutsidethebox.”Hebunchedhisfingerstogether,touchedthemtohisheartandleanedforward.“Especially,whenI’vegottheirback.”Hatempaused,asiftoletthatsinkin.“Nowlook,GASMAXownsmanytrucksthatbeforewereusedtotransportoiltotheU.S.,butnowtheysitidleinparkinglotsaroundthecountrywhentheycouldbehaulingwatertotheborder.Whatawaste!”Hepartedhishands,creatinganemptyvoid.“Withalittlereconfiguration,thosetruckscouldbehaulingbottledwatertotheborder.Pluswe’vegotdriversonthepayrollwhowecan’tfirebecauseofredtape.OilisnottheonlythingthattheU.S.economyneeds.It’sawin-win.”Hatemsmiled.
“Jose,I’msorry.IhavetosayI’mnotyourman.ImaynotknowNAFTAaswellasyouthink.AndI’mtoowellknowninthelegalworld.Myparticipation,orevenpresence,couldunderminetheproject.Andit’sonlyamatterofmonthsbeforeIretire,Jose.Iwon’tevenbearoundthatlong.”
31
Suddenly,Hatemturnedquietanddidn’tmove,asifrealizingforthefirsttimethatManuelwasn’tmakingpro-formaprotests—thathemayinfacthaveprincipledobjections.ItwastheonecontingencyHatemappearedunpreparedfor…Hegotup,walkedovertoatableandbegantopoursomewaterwhilehecontinuedtheconversationinmonotonewithhisbackturned.“Bytheway,thereisthatrecenthireinthelegaldepartmentthatImentionedinmyemail.AmannamedGonzoDelgado.Doyouknowhim?”
Manuelflinched,butRicardohadhisbackturned.“Oh,yes.IthinkI’vemethim,”saidManuel.
“He’sadualU.S./MexicancitizenfromwhatIhear—mustspeakreasonablygoodEnglishaftergettinghisone-yearLLMintheStates—oratleastreadit.”HatemtookadrinkofwaterstillwithhisbacktoManuel.
“Indeed.Irecallseeingthatonhisresume.We’reluckytohavehim,”saidManuel.
“Isheanyrelationtoyou?”
Manuel’sheartskippedabeat.Thereweremorethan10,000employeesatGASMAX.ItwasoneofthelargestcompaniesinLatinAmerica.HowcouldHatemknowabouthisnephew?Hadhebeeninvestigated?
“I’drathernotanswerthat,”saidManuel.
“Iunderstand.”Hatemturnedbackaround,raisedareassuringhandandgaveanod.Herestedanelbowonthetablebehindhimandleanedback.“ThemainreasonImentionhimisthathemightbeaverygoodpersontohelpmanageournewcompany.ItcametomyattentionthathehaslawdegreesfromboththeU.S.andMexico,inadditiontobeingadualcitizen.AndhemustknowU.S.culture.That’sright,isn’tit?”
Manuelfelthehadnochoicebuttorespondwiththetruth.“Idon’tknowwhetherhe’sthatfamiliarwithU.S.culture,”hesaid.“HeisacitizenoftheUnitedStatesbecausehismothergavebirthtohimonU.S.territory25yearsagoandthencame
32
rightbacktoMexico.HeonlyreturnedtotheU.S.foragraduateone-yearLLMdegreeinU.S.law.AndIdon’tknowaboutspeakingEnglish,thoughhereadsitwell—andhemanagedtopasstheTexasbar.But,ImusttellyouJose,heisuntested.Icannotsaywhatsortsofdecisionshemightmakeinrealworldsituations.”
“That’sfine,”saidJosewithawaveofhishand.“SomeonewithU.S.citizenshipandareasonablefamiliaritywiththecountry’slegalsystemandcultureisenoughforthisproject.Perhaps,GonzocouldtakewhathelearnedhereatGASMAXandapplyittoanewendeavorwherehemight…”–Hatempausedandlookedaway,asifsearchingfortherightword–“accomplishmore.Youcankeepaneyeonhim,ofcourse.Andthenasyousay,you’llberetiringsoon.There’sanicepensionandlucrativeconsultingwork,waitingforyouinafewmonths.”Hatemtookanothersipofwater,shookhisheadandcluckedhistongue.“Iwouldn’twantGonzo’sworkingheretojeopardizethatinanyway.”
Manuelfeltbloodrushingtohishead,buthemaintainedhiscomposureandmetHatem’sstare.Hatemsetdownhisglassandshruggedhisshoulders.“AllI’msayingisthesoonerGonzopursuesacareerelsewhere,thebetteritwouldbeforeveryone,don’tyouthink?Ontopofthat…”
Manuelstoppedlisteninganddidaquickassessment.GASMAX’scodeofconductcouldbeusedtoprotecthim,specificallysection1,rule3.5:“AnyemployeewhobecomesawareofabreachoftheseruleswillreportthebreachdirectlytotheEthicsCommittee.”HecouldreportHatem.But,ofcourse,hisbossmightretaliatewithavalidchargeofnepotism.And,besides,HatemhadjustbeenappointedCEOofGASMAXbyhisfriend,thePresidentofMexico,ameretwomonthsearlier…Manuelstartedpayingattentionagain…
“…andthisproductissoldatapremium,”saidHatem.
“Nowthatyouputitthatway,itsoundslikeaninterestingidea.”Manuelblinked.
Hatemsmiledagain.HisposturerelaxedabitashewalkeduptoManuelandputahandonhisshoulder.Hisvoicewaswarmandwelcoming.“I’mverygladtohearthatyou’reinterestedinteamingwithus.Andit’sbetter,Ithink,toexplainthedetailstoGonzoyourself.I’llletRicardoandPabloknowthatGonzowillbejoiningyou.”HesatbackdownandheldManuel’sgazeforamomentbeforecontinuing.“Remember,itwillbemoreconvenientforyouandGonzotomeetwiththesemen
33
directlyinthefuture,andthere’snoneedforeitherofyoutorevealthatyouarerelated.Itwouldonlycausethefederaldeputiesneedlessdiscomfort.ExplaintoGonzothatyourfamilyrelationshipwithhimremainsconfidential.”
“Isee,but—”
“AndI’llwantregularprogressreports,butneverwritten.Understood?”
Manuelsatupstraight,pulledhisjackettightandraisedhisheadinanexpressionofpridethatresembledthedignitythatemanatesfromahandsomebutbeatupoldantique.“Ofcourse,Jose.I’lldowhatIcantohelp,”hesaid.
***
Backinhisofficeathisdesk,Manueltriedtoclearhismind.Ifhecouldjustthinkofawayout,somegracefulexitoraninsurmountableobstaclethatwouldscuttletheentireprojectandkeephisintegritymoreorlessintact…Therewasthequestionofhisnephew’scompetence.Itmightthrowawrenchintheworks.AndifGonzo’sworkethicandinexperiencealonewerenotenough,Manuelwouldsurelyhaveopportunitiestomismanagehim—themanbehindthecurtain,asitwere.Hewouldberetiredbythetimethebusinesscollapsed.ButwhatifRicardoandPablodidnotagreetobringGonzoon?Agoodfirstimpressionwouldbeessential.
Manuelfeltasuddenpangofguiltatthethoughtofsacrificinghisnephewlikethis.Ontheotherhand,hadn’thealreadygivenGonzomorethanafairshotathonestwork?Andbesides,Gonzo’scontinuedpresenceatGASMAXwouldriskembarrassingtheentirefamily!Hatem’swordsfromthemeetingechoedinsideManuel’shead:ThesoonerGonzopursuesacareerelsewhere,thebetteritwouldbeforeveryone…
ManuelpulledouthisiPhoneandwrote:NEWPROJECT.TOMORROWATTHESPINNINGWHEELRESTAURANT.BETHERE3PM,SOBER.AGREATNEWOPPORTUNITYAWAITSYOUINTHEPRIVATESECTOR!!!Then,hehit‘send.’
Histhoughtsdriftedashestaredoutthewindowatthestormcloudsapproachingthecityfromthenorth.TheyremindedhimofhowthestrangestoryofthegenesisofMexicoCityseemedtocontainanelementarycontradictionthatnooneeverquestioned.Longago,anomadicgroupofAztecswhohadbeenwanderinginthedesertfornooneknowshowlong—butprobablylongenoughtobecomedehydratedandhallucinate—believedtheysawaneagleperchedonacactuswitha
34
snakeinitsmouth.TheydecidedthiswasasignfromtheirGod,Huitzilopochtli,thattheyshouldstopwanderingandcreatethesettlementoutofwhichgrewMexicoCity.Butthecitywasbuiltonacircularlake-basinwheretherewerefrequentrainstorms,nowherenearanydesertcacti.Manuelhadalwayswondered:Whendoesaneagleeatasnakeonacactusthatgrowsinthemiddleofalakebasin?Whentheall-powerfulgovernmenttellsyouitdoes,hethought.
Butthelakeshadbeendrainedlongago,andtheformerbasinwasnowaswathofdisorganizedhumanitysovastnoonecouldrightlysayhowmanymillionsdwelledwithinitssprawl.Thechock-a-blockbuildingswherethesesoulslivedandworked,formedapasticheofwhites,reds,bluesandyellows,withoccasionalrunsofgreenstretchingalongwide,upscaleavenuesandresidentialtree-linedstreets.Fartherout,brownslumswoundtheirwayhelter-skelterupsteepmountainslopes.Theurbanjumbleresembledaroilingstormyseawithbarrioflotsamonthemargins,slamminglikewavesagainstthemountains,readytofallbackwardsandinundatethecityatanymoment,perhaps,insomeasyetunfulfilledAztecprophecy.
ENDFREESAMPLE
FulltextofGonzoGlobalInc.atwww.amazon.com
@JamesWeitz,2019