Achalya Santis - Crabulonia EAS [Closed]

[Crabulonia]

Javier Gonzalez was nervous for the first time since his wedding day though, admittadly, not as nervous. He was just the CEO of CTV but today, he had been hired by his home country to arrange an economic alliance with a repeat customer of CTV. He was sure that the representatives from ACH-SAN would be amiable, after all, had ACH-SAN not proposed the conference in the first place?

Dressed in a deep purple suit, sharp and tailored from Novakovic Tailors in Crabulonia. He was not alone in his task of securing the deal at any rate. A few military Cadets - or "BrainWorkers" as they occasionally were called - were helping with the research. Several Members of the Crabulonian Congress were also present to help at the meeting forum. Gonzalez was just the main man in the operation. As CEO of CTV he had been used to negotiating often, with producers, with actors, with potential buyers and sellers. This was well within his limits - and this he tried to keep in mind - as he awaited the arrival of the ACH-SAN ambassadors.

[Achalya Santis]

John Marquisa slept way too late watching the big boxing fight, which his team lost (and the bet, too!). After suffering a light hangover, he wakes up at 6:00 A.M. ,wakes up, bathes, eats, and gets ready for the big flight to a place he never heard of. What would it be? How would it look like? Will it have a lot of monkeys? The only thing he did know was from an article on Wikipedia, that his son found for him.

Marquisa is taken to the airport, in the city of Corcino. He lives there, coming from the mountains, and now, the CEO of ACH-SAN TV. How did he ever though of this chain of events!? He has to wait two hours to get on the plane.

**************
He boards the plane two hours later, soon to make the large flight to Monkey Tennis Auditorium. He comfortably takes a seat, takes down his laptop, gets a glass of champagne from the flight attendant, and hears smooth Latin jazz music all over the six hours.

[Crabulonia]

Javier Gonzalez had been given control of a quart of the political wing. The foyer was decorated in the colours of the Achalya Santis and Crabulonian flags. A table was set up with champagne.

One of the researchers had told him he was to meet a Joan Marquisa, a relatively unknown figure in CTV as the messages sent by ACH-SAN bore no name. The were all very mysterious transcriptions.

Perhaps Joan would like to watch a game of Monkey Tennis later? He would have to ask.

[Achalya Santis]

Monkey Tennis Aditorium, an odd name for a city, unheard of in his hometown ACH-SAN. Covered with many monkey-tennis flags, he is greeted at the airport by the mayor of the city and the head of the MTA Tourism Company, German Bonilla. He was greeted in both English, Spanish and Greek: "Welcome to Crabulonia". (No wonder why the flag had English and Greek in it!) Mr. González is then taken to a limousine, covered with the flags of Achalya Santis and Crabulonia with its logo. He wonders how the black has reached prominence, its Greek writing, and its Maltese cross, while the Achalsantinian flag had its flame- as he like- taken more prominence.

Mr. González tours the city with his guides, while seeing the main landmarks of Monkey Tennis Auditorium. He is then offered to see a championship monkey tennis match, which he jokingly accepts in a bit of curiosity. (MONKEY TENNIS!?)

They go aboard Parliament Island, where the Parliament is located, but as he is told, it is monkey-free. Along, he sees a Neoclassical, marble-mixed Capitol with large LCD screens with the Achalsantinian and Crabulonian flags. More than delighted, he wished to see this in Corcino.

He then enters, and waits while the big parliamentary doors are open for his entrance, as Crabulonian protocol demands.

[Crabulonia]

OOC: You didn't just design my city did you?

Javier Gonzalez waited while the Parliamentary doors opened to meet the representative.

'Hola, como estas?' Gonzalez asked in his fairly light Spanish voice.
'How are you today?' He repeated in English to clarify what he meant in case the representative did not speak Spanish.

'We have no parliamentary procedure in session today, and the political wing is actually closed.' Javier specified, 'The City of Monkey Tennis Auditorium is actually just one building, built on a succession of islands. It has only one roof, but several wings, E-Wing, R-Wing, P-Wing and A-Wing. A-Wing is my favourite, it's the Auditorium itself, where we watch monkey tennis. I suggest we investigate first, I heard it's a good one, Banana Vs. Bubbles.'

With that he signalled the way into the Auditorium wing.

[Achalya Santis]

Mr. Marquisa shakes hands with Mr. Javier González, the representative of the Crabulonian Economic Affairs Committee.

"Estoy bien, gracias a Dios; I'm great, thanks to God", he said in Spanish and English. To a small appaling, many of the people present were shocked of the name "God" dropped in the salute.

He then leads in slight conversation about the state of things in Achalya Santis. During the walk to the Tram that took them to the Auditorium, they talk about TV (especially the Unplugged! dealing ruled last weekend), sports, enemies and, of course, embedded in Achalsantinian blood, faith. The latter, to Marquisa's surprise, was handled well by Mr. González. He was happy to see another compatriot with Latin roots (or at least, with a Latino last name!).

They are greeted in a monkey tennis match. They talk, laugh, and play along, like if they knew each other for years. They also grab lunch at halftime with Crabulonian delights. They even promise to add each other on MySpace and Facebook, even Twitter!

However...

[Crabulonia]

Javier is not so happy at the fact that his position had been entirely ignored and that he was actually the CEO of CTV and not any Governmental postion, merely acting for the Government who had no spare amabassadors at the moment. In any case he decided to show Marquisa a tour of Monkey Tennis Auditorium.

'Over here in E-Wing is where possibly be staying, depends if you want a first rate hotel or if your expenses doesn't cover anything so lavish as the Crabulonian Claws. I'm not sure how your nation feels on gambling, but also in E-Wing is the Betting Shop, I have winnings to collect today, I put money on Bubbles.'

He decided to wait and find out about the gamblin, the shop would keep his bets for a week anyway. He walked with Marquisa and led him to the P-Wing.

'Here is the room for the meeting, meet me here tomorrow at 12.'

With that he left and headed outside the Monkey Tennis Auditorium. He actually lived in Solidaridad and not Monkey Tennis Auditorium. He called a cab, arrived home, and readied himself for tomorrow.

[Achalya Santis]

After he says his goodbyes to the semi-gruntled Javier Gonzalez, he zips back into the E-Wing, and checks in for his room. Marquisa is then taken to a condominium, not in the highest point of hte place, but close! He loves the view of the Southern Sea, being his first time in this country. Marquisa then takes a quick look at the terrace of the E-Wing, large enough to host over 100,000 people! Taking a walk over the terrace is grueling, but rewarding for the power walker. He then views more of the Islands that compose Monkey Tennis Auditorium, loving it. He writes in his journal:

"Loving the country, though I don't know what "jingoistic" means! I'll call it a day, I'll call my wife and kids and the President soon."

He says his prayers (faithful Catholic!), closes the door, and goes to sleep.

****************

He wakes up at 6:00 AM, still dark in the city. WIth that, he hears some Pandora, checks some local news, and heads to take a jog before breakfast.

What if all of this fails? He pessimistically thought, skeptical of dealing with foreign nations. Oh, well, he will meet them at 9:00 in the Parliament Rooms for a meeting.

[Crabulonia]

In Javier's darkened apartment, a phone began to ring.

'Digame? Javier Gonzalez,' he answered, 'Parliament? What you calling fo.. Oh yeah, that guy I'm negotiating with. What's he want? What? Marquisa is wanting a meeting now? He crazy? It's 9 o'clock, who gets up at 9 o'clock? The Crabulonian day begins at 11! I'll be there at 12.'

He slammed the phone down, muttering several curse words. This man waking him up at 9 in the morning for a meeting? Who the hell gets up at 9 for a potentially career making meeting. This Government work had too many downsides, but the big upside was the continued support of the Crabulonian Government through their 50% shares.

----------------------------------------------------------

Meanwhile in P-Wing. Marquisa was standing around waiting. The Wing was open. As was most of Monkey Tennis Auditorium. He had only been able to contact a secretary through the emergency line connected to the reception phone. He went back to his hotel building to relax for a few more hours to escape the monotony.


----------------------------------------------------------

At 12 o'clock, Javier strode into P-Wing in a sharp purple suit - he had a wardrobe full of them. He met Senor Marquisa and shook him warmly by the hand.

'Hey you, you crazy fucker, wanting to burn the midnight oil ah? Ahh, heh heh, come on let's go into the conference room.


--------------------------------------------------------

Javier Gonzalez turned on the rooms recorder, standard procedure in Crabulonia so that all citizens could have access to political information. He took a llow eather chair opposite another leather chair, with a coffee table in the middle. After calling for coffees, Javier began.

'Now, Marquisa what are you terms?'

He took out a notepad and prepared to write them down.

[Achalya Santis]

As she shakes Mr. Gonzalez’s hand, Joan Marquisa is escorted to the Parliament offices, a bit shaky but confident, however feeble about waking up Mr. Gonzalez so early in the morning, for them. (Corcino time-wise, it was at least 1:00 PM., or 1300 hours.)
He also noted the same suit, curious because it looked exactly like the one he used yesterday. Of course, he had to come up with terms, not only make up a friendship.

“Uh, Sir, is that…?” questioned Marquisa, but refrained at the last minute.
************
When Marquisa and Gonzalez entered the hardy room, overlooking the hilly Southern beach, he was overtly delighted! He also loved the collection of international coffees offered, especially Crabulonia’s Best. Though not much of a fan with coffee, he also loved Crabulonia’s offer of teas and pastries.

“Focus, dude: focus!”, said to himself while trying a Monkey Tennis Danish, only available on this side of the world.
First of all, the ACH-SAN Television Company is grateful for your nation to become the first to buy part of the syndication. I have received news –hope it reaches here- that they have already processed the payments in full. This Economic Alliance Summit must be reached by these certain points, beyond Television:

•Economy. How can we forge economic ties within our nations? I have reviewed the nation’s economic situation, and –in honor of all truth-, it can improve. Unless you desperately hold a drought of resources, I find no need in water rationing or others. We can develop a workforce for your sector, as much as yours for mine. We can spearhead an economic alliance with many other nations.

•Culture. We would love to strengthen our national ties with your people, your land, your recourses, and the like of our nation.

•Politics. How to improve…? You are a “jingoistic state”, please explain me your system. I can develop ideas thereafter.

•Health. Crabulonian doctors and Achansantinian people can create one of the largest economical conventions and create jobs for many, while save many lives.

•Military. I have no army, you have many. It is necessary; however, we have a National Guard. We would love your take on the military alliance.
Which one will you start to speak about, Mr. Gonzalez? If you speak first, then I can talk about the state of my country.

[Crabulonia]

Javier looked at the ideas of the ACH-SAN ambassador.

•Economy. How can we forge economic ties within our nations? I have reviewed the nation’s economic situation, and –in honor of all truth-, it can improve. Unless you desperately hold a drought of resources, I find no need in water rationing or others. We can develop a workforce for your sector, as much as yours for mine. We can spearhead an economic alliance with many other nations.
•Culture. We would love to strengthen our national ties with your people, your land, your recourses, and the like of our nation.
•Politics. How to improve…? You are a “jingoistic state”, please explain me your system. I can develop ideas thereafter.
•Health. Crabulonian doctors and Achansantinian people can create one of the largest economical conventions and create jobs for many, while save many lives.
•Military. I have no army, you have many. It is necessary; however, we have a National Guard. We would love your take on the military alliance.
Which one will you start to speak about, Mr. Gonzalez? If you speak first, then I can talk about the state of my country.

He also struggled over a phrase on the opening statement.

First of all, the ACH-SAN Television Company is grateful for your nation to become the first to buy part of the syndication.

He did not recall authorising any buying of any syndication. The purchase of a show, by all means, but the fully syndication of a company? But the first part of the deal was the major one. He decided to address all major issues.

'On the economy, we tend to have a Socialist economy, whereby we keep a close eye on companies, without close supervision we have seen them mistreat the workers in the most abhorrent ways. Companies should for countries, not the other way around.'

He paused briefly to take a drink of his whiskey.

'Regarding culture, much of our culture is based around the same ideas of our economy. We believe that all creative work should be culturally viable, though not necessarily economically viable. We'd rather fail to sell the best show ever, than succeed in selling utter shit. Much is also based on language, which has Spanish and English aspects to it.'

'Politics is not my game, I'm simply the peddler of Crabulonian and associated nations televisual art works. Politics tends to operate around the improvement of people rather than the improvement of industry. We are very happy with our 100% literacy rate, understanding that a low GDP per capita is the price of equality. We have all we need, and a fair deal of luxury on the side.'

'Our healthcare system is nationalised. It is twinned with our Social Welfare system because we refuse to let the workers die in the street, of easily preventable disease, broken limbs, starvation, and insufficient living conditions. For this reason, we cannot offer much in the way of economic healthcare but would be happy to help operate a charitible organisation to improve the health of the world.'

Taking another drink of his whiskey after pausing, he continued;

'Militarily-wise, we keep most of our defences for just that, defence. We have a 200 000 strong expeditionary force or thereabouts I think, but also we have many of our citizens trained in small arms and hand-to-hand combat in case of being occupied. While for the most part it is defensive, the expeditionary force does go abroad to help in the defence of foreign nations who are diplomatically important to us.'

He drank more of his whiskey before finishing.

'Oh and by the way, Jingoism is a theory where we have an aggressive foreign policy, but not generally militaristic except for defensive missions of allies. With all these policies in mind, what deal would you further negotiate?'

[Achalya Santis]

Mr. Marquisa also ponders how to respond, and which deals to further take on into process.

Mr. Gonzalez, I believe that we should progress in economy and culture.

In the economy, we hold a laissez-faire capitalism, but the government makes ties within the private sector at times. Maybe we can create tourism between both nations a factor, and waive for a time fees and visas. This could improve your economic situation, while mine also. If our inter-relational tourism plan works, we can then proceed to figure out how we can improve other economic areas.

In the culture, education seminars between the nations can be held; thus, education would remain our highest priority in culture. Also, cultural events can create more ties within our respective nations.

What do you think?

[Crabulonia]

'You put me in a very awkward position here. The prices have to stay at a certain limit. If we allow every one of your free market gangsters over here, you can bet there will be too much consumerism. If we allow all your richest people over, we can bet they are going to be too flashy with their cash and tempt people to rob them.'

He refilled his whiskey glass and partook in another sip.

'We can allow you specialist holiday resorts, sure we've got a couple of coastlines where you could build a tourist town. That would bring prosperity to us and would allow you a great holiday destination. It is important for you to know that the Presidenté of Crabulonia is not a great fan of capitalism and consumerism. He can withstand certain degrees of it, but he has a maximum level of tolerance. We do not want our cities adorned with your consumerist trinkets.'

This was a bold move. From Javier's experience as a negotiator, none whatsoever, he could tell that many consumerists wouldn't like these sort of accusations about shallow consumerism. They liked to think it more society based on merit, if by merit they meant money.

[Achalya Santis]

Marquisa slightly backs down, seeing the abundance of evidence enough to be called "loaded language", warned by him that it would happen frequently in socialist nations.

Bueno... Uh... Eh... Uh... Ugh!

Mr. Gonzalez, I was brought here as an advice for the President to set terms with your nation. I know you are more than disgruntled more than being ignored as CEO of your nation's largest (and only!) television company, but dude, slow down!

As promised, we will settle this. I will invite you and your companions to Corcino, in my country. I would love to see how the country looks like, as much as I have loved this week here. There are things that need to change, of course, but our capitalist-federalist workings have helped our country progress in all. Maybe you can take some ideas, as much as I will take certain ideas of your nation and put up in the board for Congress.

What do you think?

Mr. Marquisa puts the tickets due Sunday for the trip back to Corcino. Unknowingly and unwittingly, he has created the first friction of tension between the accords.

[Crabulonia]

'We should perhaps continue discussions, the tourism option is definitely viable but perhaps we should discuss further, I agree that I should see your nation to see just how different it is from ours.'

[Achalya Santis]

All right, Mr. Gonzalez, I will ponder this.

Mr. Marquisa hands over two tickets for Mr. Gonzalez and his wife. He is somewhat, bittersweetly... delighted. It was his first time in years that he has visited a country with a laissez-faire capitalist market that is not the United States. (OOC: Corrict me if I'm wrong!)

Great, there's not much time left! GERONIMOOOOO!!!!!!!!, he screams like a madman, going with Mr. Gonzalez grabbed by his hand, running to the airport as quickly as possible.

**********************************************************

Six-and-a-half hours later. Corcino City, the capital of Achalya Santis. It is not the largest city (Corola is, where they will stay for Thanksgiving), it is just the seventh largest. Corcineans are delighted to see a further political-economical leader in the country, just in time to enjoy thanksgiving festivities. Because it is said holiday, government work will halt by Wednesday at noon. This means, that Gonzalez will leave by next Tuesday.

Without minding the OOC deails of his stay, Mr. Marquisa takes Mr. Gonzalez to a Portugalla limousine, one of the most famous luxury carriers in the country. He smokes a cigar, which slightly annouys Mr. Marquisa. However, Marquisa answers questions to Mr. Gonzalez about Achalsantinian life.

Since it is Sunday, he is then taken to mass in the Virgin of the Assumption Cathedral in the Asunción District, close to the Capitol. This is just the beginning of a crazy adventure.

[Crabulonia]

Great Catholicism! Just what Javier needed, to be guilted into giving money to an invisible beardy guy.

Such was a common attitude in Crabulonia where religion is quite untrusted in certain matters. Admittedly belief in a deity did create more humanitarian charity than otherwise likely, but the entire organisation in Crabulonia stunk of corruption and reactionaries. The church had instantly joined forces with the totalitarian government during the revolution and as such had distanced itself from much of Crabulonia. It had been suppressed for years, but eventually allowed to return, considering an audit on donations was allowed to be taken so the government could be sure it was getting directed into the needy rather than just the priests.

In any case, Javier was not to let this bother him. Countries with Catholicism were in the main friendly but it depended muchly on who was the head of the national Catholicism federation. He would ask about this later, feeling it to be incorrect to ask it to Marquisa in the middle of mass. The man was clearly into his religion and it best not offend him during practice of beliefs.



Javier found the nation to be overal very amiable. The place felt traditional but not overly so. Change had crept into the country in several areas, bringing an interesting mix of present and past to the place. The economy seemed to be quite well stimulated but the country still claimed a 100% tax rate, though most was channelled into areas Javier could agree on (Though healthcare seemed quite neglected).

Javier noted the high GDP but took this with a pinch of salt. In exactly whose hands are these fabulous riches? Do all people make approximately $34 000 per year or is there a massive inequality? At any rate, it was an agreeable place. Moderate by Crabulonian standards but still a pleasant location.

[Achalya Santis]

Mr. Gonzalez knew that Achalya Santis always had a place of religious values (though not so in these days) in many families. This is why Mr. Marquisa tells him quitely in the middle of the service:

"Y'know, this is not the only church in Achalya Santis", referencing the numerous places of worship around town, with Protestantism growing like mad these past few decades, mostly so, Pentecostalism. And their growing influence in politics was to be known.

Mr. Marquisa took Mr. Gonzalez to the famous "La Cochinita" restaurant in the Maldao river, which stream went to the Atlantic. He was delighted with the rice, beans, pork, and even alcapurrias de granel! He also noted another place of worship, a big Universal Christian Church temple right across the street. Though he did not enter, Mr. Marquisa said: "People here love to jump. A lot of these people whom you see speak in tongues are actually voters for the Federalist Party. They are really nice overall, but consider other parties as of the Devil. Some were actually even skeptical about their influence in the country, but when they voted for our past presidenta, it was a win-win for them!" Mr. Gonzalez grew more skeptical about religion AND politics, how could this happen to a country whose bases are secular, or so seen in the Constitution?

While seeing a Corchi-bus, they ditch the limo in order to see more of the city. They travel to Pequeño Salvador, Little San Juan, Little Italy, AsiaTown, and the famous Pacarola, a shopping district doubling as a gay village. They also saw their further meeting palaces, the Congress with its Baroque-Neoclassical fashion, the Palacio Cristalino and its innovative sets, and the Gobierno de la Bahía, where some old offices are located (the new ones are spread upon the city).

Mr. Marquisa also showed Mr. Gonzalez where he was to stay: in the most luxurious palace this side of the world, El Castillo de las Américas. He was so delighted by his stay, but more was to come.

[Achalya Santis]

Mr. Gonzalez knew that Achalya Santis always had a place of religious values (though not so in these days) in many families. This is why Mr. Marquisa tells him quitely in the middle of the service:

"Y'know, this is not the only church in Achalya Santis", referencing the numerous places of worship around town, with Protestantism growing like mad these past few decades, mostly so, Pentecostalism. And their growing influence in politics was to be known.

Mr. Marquisa took Mr. Gonzalez to the famous "La Cochinita" restaurant in the Maldao river, which stream went to the Atlantic. He was delighted with the rice, beans, pork, and even alcapurrias de granel! He also noted another place of worship, a big Universal Christian Church temple right across the street. Though he did not enter, Mr. Marquisa said: "People here love to jump. A lot of these people whom you see speak in tongues are actually voters for the Federalist Party. They are really nice overall, but consider other parties as of the Devil. Some were actually even skeptical about their influence in the country, but when they voted for our past presidenta, it was a win-win for them!" Mr. Gonzalez grew more skeptical about religion AND politics, how could this happen to a country whose bases are secular, or so seen in the Constitution?

While seeing a Corchi-bus, they ditch the limo in order to see more of the city. They travel to Pequeño Salvador, Little San Juan, Little Italy, AsiaTown, and the famous Pacarola, a shopping district doubling as a gay village. They also saw their further meeting palaces, the Congress with its Baroque-Neoclassical fashion, the Palacio Cristalino and its innovative sets, and the Gobierno de la Bahía, where some old offices are located (the new ones are spread upon the city).

Mr. Marquisa also showed Mr. Gonzalez where he was to stay: in the most luxurious palace this side of the world, El Castillo de las Américas. He was so delighted by his stay, but more was to come.

[Crabulonia]

Javier Gonzalez enjoyed his holiday somewhat, the hotel a little bit luxurious for what was considered acceptable in Crabulonia. Opulence was widely frowned upon in Crabulonia but it was true that it was always fun to visit a free market state. That being said, he needed to get home. A new series was starting soon and he needed to go home to authorise it.

He picked up his mobile, having gained Marquisa's number, and phoned his fellow negotiator.

'Hey man, listen just wanted to ask, are we setting more terms or am I just visiting for fun? I'm having fun, but I feel I'm here for a reason, and we've not yet scratched the surface of what we are here for.'

[Achalya Santis]

Mr. Marquisa responded, "Don't worry; negotiations will continue tomorrow."

*******************************************************************************************
Next day, 6:00 AM, ACH-SAN time. Mr. Marqusa wakes up early, gets dressed, and goes to El Castillo to pick up Mr. Gonzalez in a jeep.

"Mr. Gonzalez, there is someone waiting for you.", a phone rang.

While he gets prepared, Mr. Marquisa knocks in the door. When Mr. Gonzalez opens the door, he sees Mr. Gonzalez with his power jeans and boots.

"Get ready, Mr. Gonzalez. Negotiations will continue today.", he said to Mr. Gonzalez.

A few minutes later, with no breakfast (they'll eat on the spot), they get a jeep and travel 3 hours into the Mazatlanta River over to northwestern Metrópolis, Dearlina. It is not the poorest place on the Americas, technically, but traveling this far looks on what the country still needs to progress.

While reaching a jeep, Mr. Marquisa will visit his grandmother. He has not seen her since he became the leader of the ACH-SAN Economic Progress Forum, and she is the apple of his eye. She is 90 years old, but vigorous and happy in her state. With this history, he continues the next leg of the summit, at the expense of Mr. Gonzalez. When they get there, he sees a lush mountain in the background. But when he puts his eyes on earth, he sees a big shackland, one atop the other. One family had over 20 people on a 1,000-square-feet place! While dropping off the Jeep, and wandering around the place, he tells a personal story...

"My father's half-American, half-Swilatian; my mother is half-Puerto Rican, half-Emowgli. Both of them were born in Dearlina, born in extreme poverty. Weddings are made between families, so farming arrangements are done between their own. They are barred from communication from the outside, and if you're rich, you can have -at least- power plants. If not, be careful!, for you can burn your own wooden house that your ancestors built in. Here are the children, (while showing a "school" with thirty kids in it) doing their best to study. It is illegal to refuse education, as per the Constitution, but they're so poor to even manage their daily necessities. My parents were one of those who lived between the slumps... until they found petroleum in the mountain."

Mr. Gonzalez looks skeptical, even more when he sees the sheer contradiction of such beautiful nation. Even the one most federated has its own troubles to get away. He never knew that Mr. Marquisa had a quarter of every nationality, a mixed breed, unacceptable in many nations. This was not a problem in Achalya Santis (who was purely white?), but other nations would condemn him, even to death. When he returned to the jeep, Marquisa would quickly show the peak where his parents struck oil... But was his heart compounging?

[Crabulonia]

'Why the hell do you do things so early?' said Javier, 'In Crabulonia it's looked on as unhealthy to get up any time before about 10-ish.'

[Achalya Santis]

Mr. Marquisa laughs at Mr. Gonzalez's remarks about time. Please note, however, that although he was grumpy and cantakerous that morning, he still has a heart for the people.

While saying goodbyes to the villagers of Dearlina, a poor shack town in northwestern Metrópolis, they further go to the jeep to a mountain. It was noon, the perfect time to lunch (and for Mr. Gonzalez, the perfect time to get up!) Mr. Marquisa continues with his story:

"I wasn't born here, I was born in the District (Corcino District). But my parents wanted to shield the pain and shame of coming from a poor, mixed family. They did love me and their family, however, but in the 70's, even mixed-race families were marginalized to government. I still traveled to Dearlina some summers and holidays, and it was so beautiful in spirit, though poor in wealth."

Mr. Marquisa pauses to point Mr. Gonzalez a white-greenish-like hill, Trapiche Virginal, where they will further discuss. To Mr. Gonzalez's amusment, he there was an oil driller in the heart of the hill. While climbing up the hill, Mr. Marquisa continues:

"My dad became a chemist after we reached Corcino, my mom an English teacher. She still visited Dearlina every so-and-so, we weren't rich, but comfortable. Until, studying this very hill in Trapiche Virginal, they found a weird splash of black-brown dirt on the floor. He took a needle, a Q-tip, put it on his bag, and took another needle to punch the ground. He though he was running mad, but he found oil. He was rich. While taking that oil, he spinned up the top 10 richest people on the country, with a wealth of USD $3,000,000,000 on this hill alone! Why so much, Mr. Gonzalez? Look in the ground."

Mr. Gonzalez finds a medium-small-sized diamond, thrown off the floor. He looks amused, and he finds more small jewels on the floor and on another hill nearby.

"Mr. Gonzalez, (he picks up a diamond) I did not bring you here to nothing. (He also shows a oil drilling company on another hills.) I may be rich because of this discovery, but I do my work for the benefit of my country. My dad never forgot Dearlina, though he never visited it until time ago. Look, here you have more than USD $576,000,000,000 of oil AND diamonds, and we have to fight that in the exterior. THIS is not our main resources, we are rich. And we can help you. Call us shallow and feeble consumerists, yeah, look at Friday when the shops open. Want a drill? We got it! Want the diamonds? We got it! Want to shop and make offers? We got it! But please, Mr. Gonzalez, be mindful that this relationship will go more than oil or people; you also need to help us with Dearlina and other poor-shacks across the nation, even those we don't count on the census. What do you want to do?"

Mr. Gonzalez ponders this finding.

[Crabulonia]

'In Crabulonia we like to look after our people, as well as others. We have a low GDP per capita, but we are happy with the little we have. To be honest we are not fans of oil and diamonds, we have surpassed oil in our manufacture and diamonds are little more than shiny hard stones which we sometimes use for the tip of dentist drills. See we're not angry at money or productivity, but rather, the frivilous use of it on designer logos and the like. To be honest, I've been pleasantly surprised at the lack of shallow consumerism. Your money is not used for empty debasement but rather classically. I feel compelled to say however that if you have people living in shacks then perhaps more money should be funnelled into the system.'

'So anyway, how is this for a proposed deal ; we will allow tourist operations in our country, but we do not want it to be full of logoed fashionistas? The classy people, they are welcome, we are a very cultured and civilised place, they will have a blast. Perhaps you set up a small hotel town nearby Monkey Tennis Auditorium? But please. Any profits made within the borders of The Jingoistic States of Crabulonia, inject them into your poor shacks.'

[Achalya Santis]

With glee, a grin, and thanksgiving to God, Mr. Marquisa says:

"Gracias por ayudar a mi pueblo. Thank you for helping my people. This is such a great thanksgiving gift. Honest, ever since my dad struck rich with oil, he gave part of it to charity. I run the charity today, with my father elderly, but still vibrant. My mom still lives with him, but my grandmother does not want to live with them, because she is more comfortable being poor but happy than having all the money she can get (and that other people cook for her!?) before anything. By the way, the villagers have something for you. Let's leave this diamond-ridden place. But... (Mr. Marquisa gives Mr. Gonzalez a small, multicolored diamond unusually found in the mines, called "La Bandera", because it had the green, blue, and red (which are a mix of jade, saphire and crimson) in it.)"

They leave the place, with a deal done. Mr. Marquisa calls Eduardo Manzanalles, Director of Tourism, to begin scouting bases for the Pax Santiniana Hotel, administered jointly by Achalya Santis and Crabulonia, open in 2011. When they get to the jeep back to Dearlina, the marginal community in Achalya Santis, they are greeted with an early Thanksgiving feast, prepared by Marquisa's grandmother and other women from the village. Not only turkey is represented, but pork, escabeches and other Achalsantinian treats. While sharing many things, Mr. Marquisa quietly asks to Mr. Gonzalez, "Are you staying for Thanksgiving weekend?"

Leaving business for a moment behind, both enjoy the village feast. For a while, they remember that they're in a "summit", more of a turn of GlobeTrekker than work, and they discuss how the hotel and how other countries will be involved in both countries' tourism plan.