“The Crimean Star,” Andy said as they stood at the front desk. The lobby was crawling with security agents both American and Russian but there no other guests. Tatiana spoke to the desk clerk to get their keys and such.
“I think it’s just us and the President’s people,” Dave said.
“Is there a dining room?” Warren asked.
“Do you really want to know?” Dave asked. The hotel was clean but the furnishings were bare and no attempt had been made to decorate the lobby. The clerk at the desk had on a shabby suit of his own rather than a hotel uniform. The thought of a hotel kitchen at this place was not reassuring.
“I guess we’ll find a restaurant on the outside,” Warren said.
“Tatiana can talk us through so we don’t end up eating brains or fish heads,” Dave said and they laughed.
“Will we be on the same floor as the President?” Belinda asked.
“No, the President and her people will have a floor all to themselves,” Dave answered.
“Lind, none of us are going to see the President very much at all on this trip,” Jozette said.
“But she invited us.”
“Yes, to cover the meeting and do a brief interview with her, not to vacation with her,” Justin said.
“Lind, did you really think we would be with the President the whole time seeing the sights, eating at outdoor cafes together, taking scenic boat rides, etc.?” Jozette asked.
“No, no… well maybe,” Belinda said and lowered her head and sighed.
“Miss Belinda, I thought we’d see more of her too but I guess we’re just along for the ride,” Julieta said. Julieta knew exactly how things would go but she loved Belinda and couldn’t stand to see her hurt.
“Okay, we’re on the third floor,” Tatiana said as she handed out the keys and a brochure describing the local eateries and shops.
“I can’t wait to take a shower,” Belinda said. Tatiana looked at Jozette and Ariel and they grinned as did Julieta.
“That’s a situation,” Tatiana said.
“What kind of a situation?” Belinda asked.
“You see, Lind, in some European hotels the rooms don’t have bathrooms.”
“What?”
“There is one male and one female bathroom in the hall,” Tatiana said.
“You mean we have to share?” Belinda asked with a terrified expression on her face.
“Yes, I’m afraid we do,” Tatiana answered.
“I don’t like it here,” Belinda said and there were smiles, though they were suppressed so as not to get Belinda into one of her states.
“Lind, I’ll stand outside while you shower and not let anyone else inside,” Tatiana said.
“You can do that here?” Belinda asked.
“Normally, no but no one will get past me.” They laughed at that.
“I must seem like a baby but it kind of caught me by surprise.”
“Forget it, there are individual stalls but when you step out the shower the whole bathroom can see you. Some of the native girls might be in shock when they see you in your natural state,” Tatiana said grinning and they all laughed at that.
“Yes, it would be eye opening and humbling when they looked in the mirror at themselves. My figure is overwhelming to even an above average looker,” Belinda said with a smile and her head held high. Tatiana looked at Jozette and grinned as Jozette rolled her eyes and sighed.
“We have our girl back,” Tatiana said as she put her arm around Belinda.
“Ma’am, I apologize for the conditions here,” Bonnie said.
“It’s hardly your fault Bonnie and it’s not that bad. We knew it wouldn’t be like a posh hotel in the states or Europe. It’s clean and comfortable.”
“I still feel bad.”
“Bonnie, when Don and I were first married we lived in a crummy apartment above a bar. We couldn’t get to sleep until two a.m. and the whole place smelled of booze and popcorn.” Bonnie looked at Ellen and grinned. “We survived and we’ll all survive here as well.”
“Okay, Ma’am but what about your supper?”
“Trent went out to get something. You, Clarice, Kent, Andrew and I will dine in my room at the deluxe dining table.” Bonnie laughed at that. The hotel had pushed two dining room tables together and covered them with a thin table cloth.
“Does Andrew have to dine with us?” Andrew Bellingham was the foreign affairs advisor to the President. He’d been Secretary of State in a previous administration, had headed the CIA, was ambassador to England and he’d taught international relations for ten years at Harvard. Yes, he was very well qualified.
“What’s wrong with Andrew?”
“He’s too… I don’t know, uh.”
“Smart,” Ellen said with a grin.
“Yes… no… yes. I don’t know but he makes me nervous he’s so smart.”
“He makes me nervous too, Bonnie, but he’s the best and I need him, especially during this trip.”
“Okay, Ma’am.”
“It’ll be fine, Bonnie, and besides we’ll be too worried about the food giving us ptomaine.” Bonnie laughed and shook her head.
“Kind of a strange place,” Andy said.
“We’re in Eastern Europe, very Eastern Europe, very Slavic,” Tatiana said.
“What’s that?” Belinda asked. Justin looked at Little Wolf.
“It’s a cultural thing,” Little Wolf said.
“What does that mean?”
“It’s how the people dress, what they eat, what music they listen to, what language they speak even where they go to church.”
“They’re different than us?”
“Yes.”
“Are they Catholic?”
“No, the Christians are Russian Orthodox, Miss Belinda”
“What’s that?” Belinda asked.
“It’s a religion that is very close to Catholicism. It’s kind of a cousin to Catholicism.”
“You mean they’re like me?”
“No one is like you, Miss Belinda.” Belinda smiled from ear to ear and made a face at Jozette who shook her head but said nothing.
“What about tomorrow?” Andy asked.
“The girls are going for a walk and sight-seeing,” Jozette said.
“So, what do the men do?” Andy asked.
“Well, Warren and I are going to meet and discuss physics,” Dave said.
“I’d like to hear that if I may,” Little Wolf said.
“Be my guest,” Dave said.
“What about us?” Andy asked looking at Justin.
“I have a meeting with the President at nine a.m.,” Justin said. There was a brief silence and Andy sighed.
“A solitary boy, Ebeneezer Scrooge, left alone and deserted by his friends and family,” Andy quipped and Warren chuckled.
“You’re welcome to join us, Andy. We’re going out for lunch afterwards,” Dave said.
“Am I a pathetic case upon whom you’re showing pity or do you need a fourth for bridge?” Andy asked. Dave pondered the question.
“Perhaps both,” Dave said chuckling and Andy grinned.
“Thanks, but I think I’ll wander the city on my own.”
“Suit yourself but the offer’s open,” Dave said.
“We’ll be discussing Quantum Theory. This could be your big chance to broach the world of physics,” Warren said.
“No thanks. I took algebra and geometry but I got a C in Trigonometry and I figured I’d reached my zenith in math.” Warren and Dave grinned.
“We can meet back at the lobby to go out for supper if you like,” Jozette offered and they all agreed.
“Andrew, I seek your wisdom frequently as you know because my knowledge of international relations is sketchy at best.”
“Yes, Madam President.”