At the Palacio Presidencial, Don Fidel, The Pope, Jack, & Jill settled in the huge terrace outside the library of the Palace.
Camar da Domingo, bring us some Habanos, and some of that aged ron, we have for especial occasions for our friends, we need to celebrate! the Cuban Supremo ordered.
Don Fidel, could not hide his pleasure of seeing Jill (in reality, Don Fidel had a much closer relationship to Jill than a mere friend that called him "uncle", but he had chosen not to let her know the truth), he was beaming with pleasure and surprise, while at the same time being suspicious of her companion el gringo Jack, as for the Pope, well, he was puzzled to see what the old man had to say about improving his own "image". He was particularly interested in learning about the lifting of the embargo.
Domingo, dressed up in military garb, brought a generous supply of Habanos, together with an exquisite aged Rum "El Cabr¢n Cubano" (with a picture of Don Fidel on the label), and an assorted "botanas" (appetizers), as a sample of Cuban cuisine.
The ever daring Jack, could not resist asking the question it was burning in his lips, so he said: Don Fidel, I thought that these days were times of austerity in La Havana, I see by this plethora of goodies that all that nonsense about Cuba having a hard time managing supplies must be just propaganda la Helms, or maybe those rabid Miami-grown Cubans.
Before Don Fidel ordered the firing squad at the ready, Jill jumped and embraced the old revolucionario, and gave him a big kiss in the cheek, as if Fidel was her father, "it's so good to see you Uncle Fidel!, don't mind this gringo, he has the unusual habit of putting his foot in his mouth all the time, in fact I don't think he knows what he is talking about".
Don Fidel could never resist Jill's enthusiasm and jovial demeanor, so he decided to forget Jack's remarks. He asked Jill, how are you my "peliroja"? (red-haired) how is your Mama? Does she still fly stunt airplanes?
Jill responded, I am doing fine, Mama broke her right arm in her last stunt, unfortunately, she destroyed the airplane, mind you it was a very difficult piece, and Steven the director loved it, they printed the scene the way it came out as it added to the story. As for the plane, Steven bought her another one, they wanted to get one of those F-16, but the Air Force refused to allow the sale, citing "National Security" reasons, in stead Steven bought her one of those Russian Migs. You will love the whole picture. I am a little worried about Mama, you know, she keeps coming up with these new stunts, she pushes it to the limit.... Is that why you like her so much Uncle Fidel?
Among many other things, Fidel responded, she is like Mata-Hari, but I'll tell you about her some other time.
Changing the conversation he asked Jack , who was savoring some of the delicacies, and the Cuban rum, not to mention the big Habano, Mr. Germond, I understand you are a big shot in the future's pits in Chicago, are you planning a big investment in our sugar mills, you know, we can get you some good bargains around here, real discounts on some fine properties.
Perhaps, you and Mr. Pope here could arrange for an interesting joint-venture with several investors, may be Mr. Pope could arrange some of the holly-rollers to put some of their hard earned money into a Cuban re-industrialization programs we are pushing these days, you know we are having a promotion that has no equal.
To which Jack said.... |
