Changes to the Visit Itinerary

Hey buddy,

Want a beer?

Henry pressed a polystyrene travel cooler in the back of the truck and asked Bernie, the oldest member of the security team.

The retired sergeant in his Green Berets glanced at his comrade Mark I, nodded, and said, "Henry, have a can."

As he spoke, Henry took two aluminum cans of beer from a cooler full of ice and tossed them over. Then he took one for himself.

The three men opened the cans at the same time, took a swig at the same time, and then exhaled simultaneously. The refreshingly cold beer seemed to have a magical power, dispelling the summer heat of the Africa continent.

Not far away, Audrey Hepburn, accompanied by United Nations personnel and local Somalia officials, was playing with children sheltered by a child protection agency.

However, the only one who truly cared about the child was Ms. Hepburn. After taking the photo, the United Nations officials and Somalia officials stood aside to talk.

The content expressed unease about the domestic situation, which Henry overheard using his Super Hearing. The others could only see the worried expressions on the faces of both sides.

The only way to bring smiles back to their faces, or to treat those children kindly, is probably to put a camera in front of them. That would be more effective than anyone shouting orders.

Henry had just finished shooting a roll of film. While he was back at the car changing the film, he took the opportunity to drink a beer with the two privately hired security guards beside the car to beat the summer heat.

He noticed that the local guide and several black men in uniform, who were either soldiers or policemen, were also looking at them with envy. Henry took out a full bottle of ice-cold beer from the cooler and went over.

Speaking in his newly learned Somali, Henry said, "Hey friend, it's so hot, how about a jar of a good friend's gift?"

"You're so generous, my friend," the group of black men said, beaming as they took their beers.

Henry, who had crammed on Somali before setting off, spoke haltingly to the other person.

It's fair to say that the language you learn from textbooks is not the same as the locals' spoken language. When Henry first started speaking to the locals in the rigid Somali from his textbooks, he was thoroughly ridiculed.

The fact that he can now speak properly with others is a result of his interactions with these Black men.

Actually, with Henry's abilities, he could have spoken like a local, even using that unique trilled "r" perfectly, without any major problems. But his learning speed was terrifying, so he had to put on an act again.

After exchanging a few words with the Old Black, Henry returned to the car. He asked Old Bernie, "Where are Brian and the others?"

Upon hearing Henry's question, Old Bernie replied, "We're preparing for tomorrow."

Henry couldn't help but complain, saying, "Yeah. We were saying before we left not to change the plans so easily, who knew we'd run into this problem as soon as we arrived."

"Nobody knew the situation in Somalia would get so bad," Old Bernie said with a wry smile. "We thought it would be a simple job, just wandering around and then going home."

Henry absolutely refused to believe this complaint. If it weren't for the instigation of people like them from CA, would this Africa country beneath his feet have become so bad?

But Henry certainly couldn't say that. He went along with Old Bernie's words, saying, "I heard we're coming to visit."

It was Somalia that invited me. Only after arriving did I realize the social unrest, which wasn't reported at all back home.

"I think that President Barre's request wasn't actually for more UNICEF aid, but rather for the peacekeeping forces to help him maintain order."

Old Bernie agreed, "You're right. We've known those black guys how cunning they are for a long time. No wonder those plantation owners used to only teach them how to do things with whips instead of trying to reason with them."

Faced with such discriminatory remarks, Henry shrugged indifferently, and was even less likely to accuse the other party.

After all, this isn't the era of political correctness yet, and these white people's opinions haven't been completely suppressed. Even in the future, such opinions will only be suppressed, not disappear.

To a casual observer, it's simply a matter of putting a lid on a pressure cooker, slowly heating it from the bottom, and waiting for the lid to give way under the pressure and pop open.

But for now, Henry simply complained about the situation, "The place we're supposed to visit is in chaos. The Somalia authorities are insisting that we go, even saying that Ms. Hepburn doesn't have to go, but the peacekeeping force must go."

"When I heard this request, I almost laughed out of anger. That president who speaks with such disdain..."

Does he treat us like his soldiers, whom he can order around at will?

"Pfft, looking down on people with your nostrils, that's quite an interesting description. That black guy didn't actually raise his head that high, he just had big nostrils," Old Bernie laughed.

"Yes, thanks to him, we were able to change our itinerary at the last minute and split into two groups for the visit," Henry said helplessly. "Actually, I would have preferred to persuade Ms. Hepburn to abandon the rest of the trip and return home earlier."

"Nobody can persuade that big star, can they?" Old Bernie said with a nonchalant attitude. He added, "Look,"

Even Brian silently accepted the change of plans and began making subsequent arrangements.

Henry said quietly, "You know, that's how movies always go. Once a team breaks up for some reason, one team always has to suffer, or even be wiped out. Otherwise, there's no cinematic effect."

"Ha, Hollywood guy," Old Bernie laughed. "You said it yourself, that's just movie effects. It's not like that in reality. Otherwise, in a war, which commander would dare to split his troops into two groups to attack?"

"Besides, the place we're going to tomorrow is a location we chose from the original list of potential options. Brian already had plans in place; we just need to adjust the arrangements and confirm the new location. With us here, you don't need to worry about your safety."

Henry muttered a few words, just like any ordinary young man who was afraid of dying.

Not far away, Ms. Hepburn waved to Henry, and the assistant immediately understood and picked up a box of candy and cookies from the back of the car.

Henry said to the person next to him, "The lady is calling me, I'll go over first."

"Go on, kid. I'll keep an eye on your ass." Old Bernie said something ambiguous, and then he and his old comrade-in-arms burst into laughter.

Henry didn't dislike these veterans who concealed their CIA identities. He guessed they probably wouldn't stay there for long. Intelligence was a stinking cesspool, incompatible with the nature of soldiers.

But he didn't forget to retort, "Then you'd better stop someone with a big thing rushing towards my butt with your mouths. That way you won't have to worry about your own butts!"

"Wow! Well done, kid," Mark, who had been silent until now, exclaimed.