25 Short Stories and Novellas Part 56

"Yes. Yes, of course. Why should there not be a fee? It is no problem.

We will discuss it." He offered her an engraved card, holding it close in

front of her face as if he wasn't sure she knew how to read and holding

it close might help. "This is my name. I am at the Imperial Hotel. You

know that hotel? You will come to me when this is over? With the general?

 

You agree?"

"Sorry, sir," a marshal said. "This area is for official guests only."

"Of course, Understood." The Brazilian began to back away, nodding,

bowing, smiling brilliantly. To Carlotta he said, "I will see you later? Yes?

I am very grateful. Obrigado! Obrigado!" He disappeared into the crowd of

foreign visitors. Behind her, on the reviewing stand, the Emperor was

giving a medal to a man in a uniform of the San Jose Air Force.

It was almost noon now. People were coming out of the nearby office

buildings. Some of them were carrying sandwiches. Carlotta began to

feel fiercely hungry. Townes had talked about a banquet that afternoon, but

the afternoon seemed a long way away. Uncle James got fed by intravenous

line, but she needed real food, and soon, Emperor or no Emperor, she had to

get out of here, and Townes could go whistle. Maybe the thing to do was

find the Brazilian, strike a deal with him, let him take her to his hotel

and buy her lunch. And then he could interview Uncle James all he wanted,

so long as the old man's strength held out.

All right, she thought. Let's get moving.

But where had the Brazilian gone?

She didn't see him anywhere. Leaving Uncle James to look after himself

for a moment, she slipped under the rope and went over to the place

where the foreign visitors were cl.u.s.tered, No, no sign of him. People began

to jabber at her and take her picture. She brushed her hand through

the air as though they were a cloud of gnats. Producing the Brazilian's

card, she said. to no one in particular, "Have you seen Humberto-Humberto

Jose de Magal Magal " It was a struggle to p.r.o.nounce his name.

He must have gone, though. Perhaps he was on his way to his hotel, to

wait for them.

She rushed back to Uncle James. Some people had crept into the