O SAY CAN YOU SEE
by
TOD HOWARD HAWKS
For Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Chapter 1
"Would you like another one?," ask the waitress.
"Sure," said Charlie Cumberston.
The band was playing "MOOD INDIGO" then "STRANGE FRUIT."
Charlie loved jazz. He also loved baseball, which was why he also brought THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BASEBALL with him to the Village Vanguard every night. And he was passionate about art.
The waitress brought back another Scotch and Soda.
"Thanks," said Charlie.
The Village Vanguard was his home every night since the CIA made him an offer he couldn't refuse.
"You simply know too much. If the wrong people find you, they'll want to know everything you know. If you don't cooperate, they'll stick a barrel of a gun into your mouth and pulled the trigger!"
Charlie had graduated from Columbia College, Columbia University in 1963. He wanted excitement and chose the CIA. He was smart as hell. He quickly ascended to the top tier and was sent to Saigon a year-and-a-half later. During the Tet Offensive in 1968, Charlie was severely wounded. That's when he met Anh, his nurse.
While sipping his Scotch and Soda, he picked up his THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BASEBALL to read again about Willie Mays. Mickey Mantle, Ted Williams, Sandy Koufax and many others.
Now the band was playing TAKE FIVE followed by ROUND MIDNIGHT.
The waitress came again to Charlie's table again.
"Would you like another one?" she asked.
"Please," said Charlie.
This was how every evening went from 7 to midnight.
"It's time to go," said Sid.
Sid's job was to pick him up in the limousine at the Waldorf Astoria at 6:45, drive him to the Village Vanguard, then around 11:45 drive him back to the Waldorf. This was Sid's job, seven nights a week.
While he never got drunk from drinking too many Scotch and Sodas, the drinks always made Charlie a bit more than loose. As he entered the limousine, he nevertheless always thought of Anh.
Chapter 2
Sid picked up Charlie at 6:45 at the Waldorf and drove to the Village Voice. Even at 7 the place was packed, but that table, that same table, was always waiting for him.
"Good Evening," Charlie always said to the waitress.
"Would you like a Scotch and Soda?" said the waitress.
"Yes, please," said Charlie. Drinking Scotch and Sodas the rest of his life was better than being thrown into the East River from the Queensboro Bridge with a bullet hole in his forehead, thought Charlie.
The band was playing TAKE THE A TRAIN then MY FAVORITE THINGS.
But Charlie was thinking of a different trip, the trip to Saigon. The machine-gun fire he suffered during the Tet Offensive almost took his life. But Ahn, his nurse, saved his life. As the months passed, Charlie grew increasingly fond of her, and she of him, until fondness became love for both of them. But their love for each other was truncated a few weeks after his release from the Saigon hospital because the U.S. ARMY was going to send him back to the USA to to recover fully. But during those few weeks, Anh and Charlie made love, not only physically, but also spiritually, every nanosecond they could.
"Would you like another one?" said the waitress.
"Please," said Charlie.
The band was now playing SO WHAT then ALL BLUES.
Often, despite the music and drinks, Charlie would slide into memories of atrocities committed by U.S. armed forces during the Vietnam War, some in person, others written up by CIA personnel of which he was apart. The most infamous was the My Lai massacre.
On March 16, 1968, American soldiers brutally murdered in only 4 hours over 500 unarmed civilians including women, children, and old men in the village of My Lai in South Vietnam. American soldiers even took time out to eat lunch. The victims were *****, mutilated, and burned. William Calley, Jr. was convicted by court-marshal of the ****** of 22 unarmed South Vietnamese civilians. He was initially sentenced to life imprisonment with hard labor, then commuted to 20 years, then commuted to 10 years, then commuted to 3 years of house arrest by President Nixon.
"Body Count" became de rigueur. Civilians killed were added to the total of Viet Cong soldiers killed. Competitions were held between units to see which one killed the most Viet Cong. Rewards for the "winners" were days off or an extra case of beer. At this time, much of these activities went unreported, but not unnoticed.
"**** anything that moves!" That became the sine qua non of many commanders whose troops then carried out massacres in their area of operations.
Few war crime investigations were completed by the military at the
U.S. National Archives. The amount of munitions used by American soldiers was 26 times was greater than in WWII. America had unleashed the equivalent of 640 Hiroshima-sized atomic bombs on Vietnam. Two million civilian Vietnamese were killed and 5.3 million were injured. Far bloodier operations like "Speedy Express" should have been exposed but were hidden by the highest levels of the U.S. military. Years later, it was found that this operation killed 11,000 Viet Cong.
"Charlie.... Charlie, are you OK?," said the waitress as she placed the Scotch and Soda in front of him.
"O yes, I am. I was just ruminating," said Charlie.
Chapter 3
Charlie was dreaming about Anh. Would it not be heavenly to have her lying beside him? The Waldorf would not matter. It could be anywhere in the Cosmos. Her scent, her breathing, even the shadow of her lissome body against the large window would arouse him.
"Kiss me. Kiss me again," she would say in his dream. No more war. No more killing. No more massacres. Just love.
The moment Charlie saw her in the hospital, he fell in love with her. Though it took months for him to heal, it was Anh who healed him. Her smile, her touch, her just standing beside his bed made him heal more each day.
When Charlie was released from the hospital, Anh and he made love many times each night. Charlie remembered those nights again and again in his dreams. But when he learned he had to return to Langley and had to tell Anh, tears flowed, flowed so much it awakened him. Charlie had been crying while dreaming. He sat on the edge of his bed bawling for over an hour.
Chapter 4
Another day, another night Charlie had endured.
Sid picked him up at 6:45 and took him to the Village Vanguard. His table was waiting.
This routine lasted 5 more months, but on the night of May 4th, the improbable occurred.
Could it be true?, thought Charlie. Could it be real? What he saw across the room were two young women sitting at a table, one of whom he recognized. It was Anh.
Charlie's heart was pounding, his breathing a tsunami. He sat at his table declining Scotch and Sodas. He didn't recognize the tune the band was playing. He was in shock.
It took almost an hour for Charlie to recover. It was Anh. By now, he was sure of it. Finally, he got up from his table and walked slowly toward Anh. When he reached her table, he said, "Excuse me, but aren't you Anh?
Anh looked up and saw Charlie, then said "Aren't you Charlie?
Charlie said, "Yes."
Anh was stunned. Now two hearts were pounding, their breathings a torrid tornado.
Anh asked her girlfriend would she be okay if she left their table to speak to this gentleman.
"Of course," she said.
Anh and Charlie, therefore, walked to an empty table and sat down.
Anh said, "I thought I'd never see you again." "That's what I thought, too," said Charlie. "What are you doing in New York City?"
"I'm doing post-graduate study in nursing at NYU, but it's summer vacation. And you?"
"That's a long story, Anh," said Charlie.
"I'd like to hear your story," said Anh.
"Are you married?" asked Charlie.
"No, I'm not," said Anh. "Are you?"
"Neither am I," said Charlie. "You saved my life, Anh."
Charlie's remark pierced her heart. Anh's face flushed.
"I fell in love with you the first time I saw you. You healed me," said Charlie.
Charlie said he really wanted to tell her his story, but it would have to be in private. He told Anh he was staying at the Waldorf Astoria, room 719.
"Might you feel comfortable enough to spend the night with me?" said Charlie.
"I'd love to," said Anh.
Charlie's heart started pounding again.
Chapter 5
"Let me just hug you forever," said Charlie.
They just fell onto the bed fully clothed. The room was lit by the night's city lights.
"I couldn't tell you this when we first met. Though I wore a military uniform, the uniform was my cover. I worked at the highest level of the CIA in Saigon. During the Tet Offensive, I was severely wounded and met you when I was hospitalized. When I first met you--even before we first had spoken to each other--I had instantly fallen in love with you," said Charlie.
"Oh, Charlie!", said Anh as she first hugged him even more strongly, then gave him a long kiss.
The talked long into the night, about the past, about the present, about the future.
"T have an idea. First, I must adhere to the mandatory routine forced upon me; otherwise, I will be killed. The good news is that the routine is, in my opinion, lax. My routine is that Sid will pick me up at the Waldorf every evening at 6:45 and drive me to the Village Vanguard where I am to stay until closing time, which is midnight. Then Sid drives me back to the Waldorf. That's it. The way I see it is that from midnight to 6:45 pm the following day, I'm a free man. I've been doing this for years and I've never been checked on, Anh. Furthermore, I need to keep you safe. What do you think?" said Charlie.
"I think both of us will be safe," said Anh.
"If so, we would be able to spend the night together, as well as the rest of the following day, say until 4 pm," said Charlie.
"I agree," said Anh.
"Do you remember telling you I'm passionate about art?" said Charlie.
"Yes, I do remember your sharing that with me," said Anh.
"Well, New York City abounds with art, and you and I can begin to share this beauty tomorrow," said Charlie.
"You're right!" said Anh as she put her arms around around his neck, kissed him, then the two made love as the sun began to rise.
Chapter 6
"Good morning, Anh," said Charlie.
"Good morning to you!" said Anh.
"I'd like to take you to eat breakfast at Tom's, my old haunt when I was a student at Columbia. Then we can take a cab to the Met, as it is often called, to see some of the most beautiful art in the world," said Charlie.
"That sounds wonderful!" said Anh.
Anh showered first, then Charlie.
After both were dressed, Charlie said "Are you ready to head out?
"Yes, I am," replied Anh.
Charlie hailed a cab in front of the Waldorf and asked the cabbie to take them to 112th and Broadway where Tom's was.
"Here," Charlie said, "keep the change."
Tom's, while remodeled, was still Tom's, the same food, the same ambience.
Anh and Charlie ate a full, tasty breakfast.
"Are you ready now to see great art?" Charlie said to Anh.
"I'm ready," said Anh.
Charlie hailed a cab on the corner of 112th and Broadway, and off they went.
Chapter 7
The cab dropped off Anh and Charlie in front of the Met.
"The first piece I want to share with you is my favorite: Renoir's STILL LIFE WITH PEACHES. It's in the Impressionist Wing," said Charlie.
"Wonderful!" said Anh.
"Well, there it is. I have come to this spot many times and have been transfixed every time I have seen this painting," said Charlie.
"It's beautiful, Charlie," said Anh.
The two stood silently in front of the painting for about 20 minutes.
"It matters not to me how many times I see it nor how long I gaze at it," Charlie said, "I am mesmerized."
Anh and Charlie spent almost an hour in the Impressionist Wing taking in the beauty: IMPRESSION, SUNRISE by Monet; LUNCHEON OF THE BOATING PARTY by Renoir; Le Dejeuner sur l'herbe by Manet; SUNDAY AFTERNOON BY THE ISLAND ON LA GRAND JATTE by SEURAT, for example.
Other famous paintings: JULIE LE BRUN LOOKING IN A MIIRROR by Brun; WASHINGTON CROSSING THE DELAWARE by Leutze; THE DEATH OF SOCRATES by David; THE GULF STREAM by Homer; THE DANCE CLASS by Degas; BRIDGE OVER A POND OF WATER LILLES by Monet; SELF PORTRAIT WITH STRAW HAT by Van Gogh; MUSCIANS by Carravaggio; PORTRAIT OF A WOMAN WITH A MAN AT A CASEMENT by Lippi; STUDY OF A WOMAN by Vermeer; YOUNG MOTHER SEWING by Cassatt.
Charlie knew that it would take a visitor around three hours if she/he simply walked by, but never stopped at, any of the works in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. He knew it, because he had done it himself.
"I'd like to take you to Titiana, famous for its Cairibbean food. It's In David Geffen Hall, part of Lincoln Center. You remember I have to be back to the Waldorf around 6:30 pm so Sid can pick me up at 6:45 so I can arrive at Village Vanguard at 7, right? You have your own key to our room, so keep it with you at all times. I'm sure you'd like to lie down and rest, then freshen up. Here's some money to pay for your cab. Come to the Village Vanguard whenever you like. I love you, Anh," said Charlie.
The two took a cab to Lincoln Center. The maitre'd of the Titiana took them to their table. Anh and Charlie perused their menus.
"I'd like to start with Corn Bread; Honeynut Piri Piri Salad (Persian Cucumber, Seasonal Grapes, Crispy Quinoa); Egusi Dumplings (Jonag Crab, Nigerian Red Stew, Pickled Pearl Onion); and the Bodega Special (Cosmic Brownie, Powdered Sugar Donut Ice Cream, Sorrel), please," said Anh.
Charlie said, "I would like Fried Branzino (Rice & Peas, Cilantro. Onion); Braized Oxtails (Rice & Peas, Thumberlina Carrot, Chayote Squash); Hamachi Escovitch (Avocado, Carrot Nage, Marinated Peppers)
and Golden *** Cake, please."
"And what would you both like to drink?" asked the waiter?
"You don't drink alcohol, right Anh?" said Charlie,
"You're right, Charlie," said Anh. "I'll just have ice tea."
"I'm just going to have ice tea, too," said Charlie.
"Well, we've had a full day, Anh, and the day isn't over, is it?" said Charlie. "I think I'm going to give up alcohol now that you've made my life worth living."
"Bless you, Charlie," said Anh.
Chapter 8
The next day, Anh and Charlie visited MoMA (The Museum of Modern Art).
The following were their favorites: THE STARRY NIGHT by van Gogh; LES DEMOISELLES d'AVIGNON by Picasso; CHRISTIAN'S WORLD by Wyeth; THE BATHER by Cezanne; THE PIANO LESSON by Matisse; THE MOON AND THE EARTH by Gauguin; SEATED BATHER by Picasso; FULANG-CHANG AND I by Kahlo; and GIRL WITH BALL by Lichtenstein.
Anh and Charlie ate a nice meal at the The Capital Grille, then returned to the Waldorf to rest. But before resting, they couldn't resist making love, then fell asleep in each other's arms. The alarm clock went off at 5:30 and at 6:45 Sid pick them up and took them to the Village Vanguard arriving at 7.
Charlie's table was waiting, as always.
"We'd both like ice tea," said Charlie to the waitress.
The band was playing ROUND MIDNIGHT then WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD.
"Anh, being with you is my dream come true," said Charlie. Anh grabbed Charlie's hand and squeezed it.
"I could have attended any university in America, but I chose NYU," said Anh, "and New York City was the only city in America where I could possibly find you!" Anh squeezed Charlie's hand a little harder.
"I have dreamed of you every night since I left Saigon.The odds of us every seeing each other again were incalculable, but it happened. Do you sense it was by chance? I think it was meant to be," Charlie said as he took Anh's other hand and kissed it.
The band was now playing THE GIRL FROM IPANEMA. No, Charlie thought, the band was now playing THE GIRL FROM SAIGON.
"We have a chance to see the world by seeing New York City, Anh!" said Charlie.
"How wonderful!" said Anh.
Chapter 9
Anh and Charlie at breakfast at Jams, then took a cab to the Whitney Museum of American Art.
Charlie's favorite American artist was Edward Hopper, and while the Art Institute of Chicago had Hopper's most famous work, NIGHTHAWKS, in its collection, The Whitney had the most. Charlie wanted to concentrate on all the Hopper paintings.
The Hopper paintings: CAPE COD BAY; MASS OF TREES AT EASTMAN; ROAD AND ROCKS; A WOMAN IN THE SUN; SECOND STORY SUNLIGHT; SOUTH CAROLINA MORNING: THE SOURCE OF ALL VIOLENCE, MY UNSEEN FATHER-IN-LAW; STAIRWAY; SEVEN A.M.; ROOFS, SATILLO; JO IN WYOMING: SLOPES OF THE TETON; EL PALACIO; JO HOPPER; SELF-PORTRAIT (I); SELF-PORTRAIT (II); SATILLO, MEXICO; a ma femme-jour de naissance; EARLY SUNDAY MORNING; LIGHT AT TWO LIGHTS; TWO ON THE AISLE; NIGHT WINDOWS; ROAD IN MAINE; AMERICAN VILLAGE; THE WINDOW; THE HORIZONTAL CITY; WASHINGTON SQUARE; THEATER; REALITY AND FANTASY; HEAD OF A MAN; MAN WITH BEARD; NEW YORK MOVIE; AUTOMAT; TABLE FOR LADIES; GIRL AT A SEWING MACHINE; CHOP SUEY; FROM WILLIAMSBURG BRIDGE; HOTEL LOBBY; and OFFICE IN A SMALL CITY.
Charlie suggested the two ate at the GRAND CENTRAL OYSTER BAR. Anh said she loved seafood. A cab took them there quickly.
Anh said "I would like OYSTERS ON THE HALF SHELL, A CUP OF CLAM CHOWDER, MUSSELS, AND A SLICE OF KEY LIME PIE, please."
"I would like please OYSTERS ROCKEFELLER, LOBSTER BISQUE, and a good, old-fashion SHRIMP COCKTAIL. We both would like ice tea," said
Charlie.
Their dinners were delicious. They took a cab back to the Waldorf in time to meet Sid who got them to the Village Vanguard by 7.
Chapter 10
In the ensuing summer months, Anh and Charlie continued their seemingly endless exploration of New York City and, at the same time, adhered to their required nightly visits to the Village Vanguard. Over this time, the two enjoyed a cruise around the Statue Of Liberty, going to the top of the Empire State Building, visiting Ellis Island, walking tours of Chinatown and Little Italy, taking the New York Helicopter Tour, experiencing the Central Park Carriage Horse tour, and enjoying the Manhattan Island cruise.
And late afternoons, Anh and Charlie continued to eat among the best restaurants in the world: OLIO E PIU; BOUCHIERE UNION
SQUARE; ELEVEN MADISON PARK; BALTHAZAR; GRAMERCY TAVERN; THE MODERN; UPLAND; VIA CAROTA; LE BERNARDIN; PICCOLA CUCINA OSTERIA; SCILLIANA; BOUCHERIE WEST VILLIAGE; SCHUTTE; GABRIEL KREUTHER; FREVO, ATERA; ESTELLA; KOCHI; LE COUCOU; TAO; COTE; PETITE BOUCHERIE; AMAVI; MANHATTA; BLUE RIBBON BRASSERI; 1803 NYC; MINETTA TAVERN; SCARPETTA; CRAFT; CROWN SHY; HEARTH; CHAMA MAMA; FORGIONE; TSUIMI; PER SI; CLOVER HILL; ASKA;
DANIEL; JUNGSIK; AQUAVIT; ICCA; MASA; SUSHI NAKA-
SAWA; GRAMERCY TAVERN; LE PAVILLON; LE JANDINIER;
63 CLINTON; AL CORO; COTE; OIJI MI; JEAN-GEORGES;
DON ANGIE; ONE WHITE STREET; VESTRY; THE MUSKET ROOM; o.d.o.; CLARO; SUSHI NOZ; ESTELLA; SAGA; SEMMA; L'ABEILLE; NOZ 17; SUHI GINZA ONODERA; and THE RIVER CAFE.
It was a mid-August early evening as Anh and Charlie lay curled up naked under the white linen sheet.
"Anh, I love you. I will always love you. I want us to share the rest of our lives with each other. And if you feel as I do, I need to tell you that I feel each of us must be prepared to do the right thing, not only for each other, but also for all others.
"I worked for the CIA, and I know it does not always work for all people. I do not want to be a prisoner of the CIA for the rest of my life, and I don't want the woman I love also to be their prisoner.
"Anh, I love you. I will always love you. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. And if you feel the same toward me, you'll need to know fully what both of us will need to do for the rest of our lives: SPEAK THE TRUTH. These months I've shared with you have made me realize I cannot go on covering for the CIA and its related agencies and covert, deadly operations. If I cannot love you openly, if I cannot propose to you to be my wife, I would rather be dead. If you cannot run the same risks as I, I'll grieve greatly but understand and respect your feelings," finished Charlie.
"I would rather die than not to love you the rest of my life," said Anh.
Chapter 11
Charlie knew them all, from Haiti onward, but let's start with the OSS of WW11 becoming the CIA.
The CIA was supposed to behave legally, but it didn't always do that. Take, for example, assassination and torture, but don't tell Congress about them. If a foreign country smacked of communist leanings, the CIA needed to "redirect" it, even if its leader had been elected democratically. What else comes to mind? Of course, domestic wiretapping; manipulation of media; extraordinary renditions; secret prisons run by the CIA on foreign soil; "enhanced interrogation" (torture); support of dictators in Latin America; recruiting Nazis as spies; sales of arms to nations under embargo; CIA involved in global drug trafficking; collecting data on Americans without warrants; and mind control experiments. It took a lot of practice to do all of them well.
Chapter 12
"This is Charlie Cumberston calling for Senator Peterson," said Charlie.
"Just a moment, please," said the secretary.
"Charlie, you old dog!" said John. "We haven't spoken for a hell of a long time! How have you been?"
"That's a long story, Will," said Charlie, "but in truth I need to speak to you in private. It's a life-or-death matter, Will."
There was a long pause.
Charlie and Will were both Nacoms at Columbia, but though Will was considerably older than Charlie, they had become best friends. Will was now the youngest U.S. Senator. After law school, he and his wife, Marilyn, a Barnard graduate, had moved to Boulder, CO where he was elected U.S. Senator on his first try.
"I've been in New York City. I wonder if there is any possibility you might be able to take the shuttle to NYC to talk with me. I need your help," said Charlie.
"Charlie, if you think I could be of help to you, I will find a way to see and talk with you. I'll get back to you pronto." said Will.
"God bless you, Will," said Charlie.
The two exchanged the necessary contact information. Will told Charlie he thought he could get back to him in a day or two, if not sooner.
In early afternoon of the second day, Charlie heard a knock on his door. It was Will.
Charlie opened the door. "Will, God bless you! Thanks for coming up. Take a seat at the table."
"Will, you know me well," said Charlie. "After Columbia, I joined the CIA. I wanted to honor my country. After intense training, I was sent to Saigon in early '65. During the Tet Offensive, I was wounded severely. I was in the hospital a year. I almost died, but Anh saved me. She was my nurse. I fell in love with her. I had a month before I was to be flown back to the U.S. and it was during that month that I knew I wanted to marry her. When I got back to Langley, they told me I knew too much about the OSS to the present, and if I divulged any iota from the past to the present, I would be "eliminated." I knew they meant what they said. So I agreed to be put up at the Waldorf Astoria and be taken to the Village Vanguard every evening. That was going to be the rest of my life--that is, until I had the unbelievable fortune of meeting Anh in New York City. My dilemma is I know I can't marry Anh now. Anh feels the same as I do. I wish to be remembered as an honorable man. I wish to speak to the world from the podium of the UN General Assembly to tell the billions on Earth the truth and ask all for their forgiveness. You are now the new U.S. Senator from Colorado. You are an honorable man. The people who voted for you know that. Your fellow Senators will increasingly know that. My advice to you, Will, is do what you think is right. Thanks for hearing me out."
"I will tell the truth," said Will. Will said he would let Charlie know the outcome as soon as he could. The two shook hands and left the restaurant together.
Chapter 13
A week went by and then another. To say both Charlie and Anh were torn was an understatement. Then on the morning of Tuesday of the third week, Will called.
"I have great news for you, Charlie! You've won your battle! You need to prepare your remarks you will share with all the ambassadors and, indeed, the world." said an exuberant Will.
"I can't thank you enough, Will," said Charlie. "I can't thank you enough!"
As soon as Charlie hung up, he picked up Anh and swirled her around and around.
"I will share my remarks with all the ambassadors and the rest of the world," said Charlie, then picked Anh up and gave her a hug and a kiss in mid-air that lasted at least a minute, maybe two.
Chapter 14
"The irony is nobody had the guts to do what you have done, Charlie," said Will. "You have broken things wide open. Now Earth, and every living thing on it, has a chance not only to survive, but also to prosper. I met with U.S. Ambassador Wilson and told him everything. In turn, he spoke first with ambassadors who were his friends who, in turn, spoke with their ambassador friends. This has just spread like wildfire, Charlie. It's amazing!"
"Thanks, Will," said Charlie. "Now my life has meaning. And if this has wheels, we can change the UN Building to the US Building, as in "us, not them."
"That's brilliant, Charlie!" said Will.
After the two men finished their lunches at the 1789 Restaurant in Georgetown, they gave each other a big hug and shock hands.
Anh was taking a nap at the Willard.
"World peace is now the sine qua non for life on Earth," said Will. "Thanks for emailing all your brilliant ideas, Charlie," said Will. "All nations, including the most autocratic ones, see the inescapability of having to form a world union. You are the savior, my friend."
Will continued. "Monday, I will begin to talk to ambassadors. Those will speak to others, and so on. You said there is only one land, one sky, one sea, one people. The boundaries that divided us are not on maps, but in our hearts and minds. Either we will survive as one because of a successful, gargantuan effort to make world peace, or billions will die in minutes. Those are your words, Charlie. Those are your words."
Charlie said "I want to talk with my 8 billion friends on Earth. I will say first that it is an honor to speak to my sisters and brothers. I am overjoyed that I'll meet many of you. I will need to hear your heartaches and hopes to make Earth our home. I will help people realize their real selves. I will help people see what truth is and what it is not. I'll encourage them with love. I will tell them their inner-greatness is inviolable. Corrupt politicians aggrandize power to oppress others, not to empower them. I will die for humanity, but I will never **** anyone."
The ambassadors were in a frenzy for two weeks, communicating with their superiors in their home countries, garnering their approvals, getting ready for Charlie's momentous announcement to the world in the "US Building."