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GONZO GLOBAL INC.

byJamesWeitz

Before,thesehillswerecoveredwithsmallplots.Therewerevineseverywhere.Everyonecultivatedthem.Now,peoplehavebecomecarriedawaybyconsumerism.They’velosttheiridentity.Theydon’tknowwheretheycomefromorwherethey’regoing.We’vebecomereducedtothelevelofanimals,butatleastanimalschoosewhattheyeat.

-Mondovino;winemaker,Italy

…Itneverceasestoamazemethatsovereignstateshaveagreedtoinvestmentarbitrationatall…Threeprivateindividualsareentrustedwiththepowertoreview,withoutanyrestrictionorappealprocedure,allactionsofthegovernment,alldecisionsofthecourts,andalllawsandregulationsemanatingfromparliament.

-JuanFernández-Arresto,Arbitrator

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Contents

Preface

THEPRODIGALSON

MANUEL'SMISTAKE

YOUGOTTHEPESOYOUGOTTHESAY-SO

MEETTHENEWBOSS

GONZOGOESTOTEXAS

SLUMMING

THELONGARMOFTHELAW

THESCOOP

ASUITWITHOUTACAUSE

GOODENOUGHFORGOVERNMENTWORK

STRANGEBEDFELLOWS

TRUTH

HUITZILOPOCHTLIHELPSTHOSEWHOHELPTHEMSELVES

THESCALESOFJUSTICE

Epilogue

Afterword

AbouttheAuthor

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PrefaceWashingtonD.C.,CapitolHill.[August22nd,2019]

AcrossthestreetfromtheDirksenSenateOfficeBuilding,withinsightoftheU.S.Capitol,severalhundredprotestorswereholdingupsignsandchanting,“Hey,hey,ho,ho!Yourstink’ndrinkhasgottogo!”Aphalanxofpoliceofficersinthemiddleofthestreetrestedtheendsoftheirshieldsonthepavement.Afewwereyawning.Theireyeslookedeverywhereexceptattheprotestors,whowerelosingtherhythmofthechantuntiliteventuallypeteredout.Anorganizershouted,“One-two-three-four!”andtheprotestorstriedagain.Mostappearedtobeintheirseventiesoreighties,andtheirchantinghadasortofsleepy,civilizedcadencetoit.

Nexttotheofficebuilding,avandoorslidopen.Fromadoorway,awomanmotionedhurriedlytocomeinside.Fourmeninsuitsandonewomansteppedoutofthevan.Assoonastheycameintoview,theseniorcitizenscametolife.Thepolicelookedstartledasthechantingdisintegratedintoburstsofcursingandswearing.ThefourmenandonewomanhastenedintotheDirksen.

Inside,theyfollowedacongressionalaidedownalongmarble-flooredcorridor.Theonlysoundnowwastheclickety-clackoftheirshoes.Theaidelookednervous.Justbeforetheycametoacorner,shewhirledaround:“We’relate.Keepcloseandfollowmestraightintothehearingroom.”Onturningthecorner,agaggleofreportersandphotographerscameintoview15metersaway.Thephotographersimmediatelybeganshootingphotosandamomentlatercameastormofquestions:“WillyoucontinuesaleswithintheUnitedStates,Mr.Delgado?”“Howmuchmoneyareyoumaking?”“Doyoufearyouwillbearrested?”“WhatarepeopleinMexicosaying?”Thefivesqueezedthroughthecrowdofreportersandfollowedthewomanintoalargehearingroomwithwoodpaneledwallsand20-footfloor-to-ceilingwindows.Theykepttheirheadsdownandfollowedherpastahushedaudiencetoalongtableatthefront,wheretheytooktheirseats.

Facingthemandtheaudience,onaraisedplatform,severalU.S.senatorssatatalargesemi-circulardeskthatarchedthewidthoftheroom.SenatorScropeoccupiedthecenterchair.Behindhim,thegreentrimonanin-roomdoorframedhisheadlikeademonichalo.Heleereddownatthewitnessesforamomentbeforeturningonhismicrophone.

SenatorScrope:“TheSenateCommitteeonHealth,Education,LaborandPensions(HELP)isholdingthisemergencyhearinginanattempttofindoutthetruthbehindhowMexicantapwaterwasimportedintotheUnitedStatesundertheNorthAmericanFreeTradeAgreementandsoldasbottledwaterwithlaxative-likeproperties.WealsowanttounderstandthefactsandbackgroundreasoningbehindarecentNAFTAjudicialproceedinginwhichathree-membertribunalruledthattheimportationandsaleofthisproductwithintheUnitedStatescancontinue.Thetribunal,convenedunderNAFTA’sChapter11whichallowsfor“protectedinformation”tobekeptprivate,hasnotmadecleartheargumentsoftheMexican

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company.Inotherwords,theAmericanpubliccannotknowalltheinformationandrelatedreasoningthetribunalreliedontoallowthisproducttobesoldwithintheircountry.AlthoughjudicialtransparencyisafundamentalpartoftheAmericanjudicialsystem,theNAFTAtribunalisaninternationalbodybeyondthereachofAmericanlaw.Assuch,itappearstobewithinitsrightsinkeepingsomeinformationhiddenfromthepubliceye.

“Theproduct,originallysoldinstoresaroundtheAmericanSouthwest,expandeditsmarketpresencewithstartlingspeedtomanypartsofthecountry,causingperhapshundredsofthousandstobecomesick.ItisthedutyoftheFoodandDrugAdministrationtoregulatefoodandbottledwatertoensuretheyaresafeforconsumers.However,inthiscase,withNAFTAhavingalreadycircumventedourregulatorysystem,TheCentersforDiseaseControlandtheNationalInstitutesofHealtharenowworkingtocontainthisoutbreakbyeducatingthepublic.Complicatingtheirtaskisthefactthatthesaleofthisproductmaywellcontinue.ThenatureofprotectionsaffordedtoforeignbusinessesunderNAFTA,combinedwithourowndomesticregulations,seemtohavehelpedgeneratethisunfortunateoutcome.

“Fivewitnesseshaveagreedtobeheretodaytoexplainwhattheyknow.Theyaretheheadoftheimportingcompany,Mr.GonzoDelgado,hisin-housecounselBowenCohen,alegalrepresentativefromthedistributingcompany,GeorgeFlint,andtheSheriffofPhoenixArizona,RoyCole.Weappreciatetheirbeingheretoday.Aswell,AmyLiu,ajournalistwhocoveredtheseeventsfromearlyon,hasagreedtojoinus.

“Duetotheinterestsoftime,mycolleaguesandIwillbeginourquestionswithoutanyfurtherreviewofthefacts.I’lldirectmyfirstquestiontoMr.Delgado.

“Mr.Delgado,whatisyourrelationtothecompanycalledGonzoInternational?”

GonzoDelgadostaredblanklyatSenatorScropeforamoment.Insteadofansweringrightaway,hisminddriftedblanklybacktothatdayinOcampowhenitallbegan…

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THEPRODIGALSON

Ocampo,Mexico.TheChihuahuanDesert.[04/02/19,10:00AM]

Inalandofcacti,tumbleweeds,andwindblownborderlesssands,wheremenforcenturieshadresistedtheintrusionsofcivilizationandgovernedthemselvesbynothingmorethantheirownethicalcodes…withinthisland,onthesideofahill,satacantinawithnoname.Andwithinthiscantinasprawledthebodyofamanwhoseheadlayonthetableinfrontofhim.Asinglebeamofmorningsunshinecutthroughaholeintheroofandshoneuponthehead’sdirtyblondemattedhair.

Theheadbelchedandlifteditselfoffthetable.GonzoSuaveDelgadoawokeandthroughglazedpuffyeyesperceivedasetoftattooedarmmusclescontractinginfrontofhimasthoughliftingsomethingupfromunderthebar.

“Moretequila,SeñorGonzo?”

Gonzoignoredthequestion,lookedaroundwithhismouthopenandtriedtorememberwherehewas.Thecantina’swallswereaslapdashstructureofconcreteblockswithmortarthatbulgedbetweenthemlikelayercakeicing.Thefloorfollowedthegradeofthelandsuchthatitwasonefootclosertotheroofatoneendoftheroomthantheother.Aroundtheroomahandfulofmenwerepassedoutonthefloor.

Gonzolookedbackatthemaninfrontofhim.

“Youweredrinkingagainuntil4:00inthemorning,”saidthebleary-eyedbartender.

Gonzolookedagainattheprostrateclientele.

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“Everytimeyoulostahandofcards,youboughtthemdrinks,”thebartendertappedthecounter,“andneveratip,bytheway.”

Themenbeganstirringtolife.Oneofthemraisedanarm.“Hestillowestwomorerounds,”hesaid.

Gonzoshookhishead.“Drinkingdebtsdrownatdawn,Carlos.”

“BuythedamnroundssoIcangohome!”hissedthebartender.

Gonzohelduphishandsandnodded.Asthebartenderbeganpouringdrinks,fromoutsidecamethesoundofacarpullingup…aslammeddoor…footstepsongravel…amanclearinghisthroatand…aknockatthedoor.

“Whothehellknocksatacantina?”whisperedCarlos.

Thebartenderwalkedtothedoorandlookedthroughapeepholethenwhirledaround.“It’sthepriest!”

Themenshirkedbackintotheshadowsasthebartenderopenedthedoorhalfwayandsmiled.“Goodmorning,FatherNatividad.TowhatdoIowethepleasure?”

“Goodmorning,mygoodseñor,”saidthepriest.“Ihaveamessagefromafamilywhoareworriedforthewelfareoftheirson.Theyhavereasontobelievehemighthavebeentothiscantinarecently.Maybeyou’veseenhim?”Hetookaphotofromamessengerbagandhandedittothebartender.

Thebartenderyawnedandtookthephotowithoutlookingatit.“I’mafraidI’mnotatlibertytosaywhohasbeentomycantinaandwhohasnot.Mycustomersvaluetheirprivacy.”Heglancedbackintothedarkness.“Manyofthemprefertheirwhereaboutsnottoberevealed.Ihopeyoucanunderstand,Father.”

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“Verywell,”saidFatherNatividad.“Perhaps,ifyouseethemaninthephoto,youcouldlethimknowhisfamilyislookingforhim.Hisnameiswrittenontheback.”

Themenshookhands.“Icertainlywill.Thankyouforthevisit,Father.”

“Godblessyou,son.”

AsFatherNatividadwalkedaway,thebartenderlookedatthephotoandasuddenin-suckofairsoundedfrombetweenhisteeth.“Father,myapologies!”Thebartenderwavedthephotohighabovehishead.“Idoknowthisman!Andhe’srightinside!”Heopenedthedoortothedarkness.

FatherNatividad’seyebrowsjumpedlikeadeserthare.“Ihadn’texpectedtofindhimhereatthishour!Whatafortuitouscircumstance!”

Thebartendersmiledandextendedhisarmforthepriesttoenter.“I’msureitwasmeanttobe!”

FatherNatividadwalkedinside.Ashiseyesadjustedtothedimness,hisexpressionchangedfromoneofsurprisetosadness.Somanysoulssinningatsuchanearlyhour.HisgazecametorestonGonzo.“Son,Ihaveamessageforyou,”hesaid.“Butfirst,Ihaveworktodohere.”

Heturnedtotheotherpatrons,producedaBibleandabottleofholywaterfromhisbag,thenbeganreadingfromIsaiah5:12ashewalkedaroundtheroomsprinklingwaterontheclientele.Thebartenderquicklyputonanoldnarcocorrido.

FatherNatividadraisedhisvoiceabovethemusic,“Woetothosewhoriseearlyinthemorningthattheymaypursuestrongdrink!Whostayuplateintheeveningthatwinemayinflamethem!TheydonotpayattentiontothedeedsoftheLORD!Honorablemenarefamished—andtheirmultitudeisparchedwiththirst!”

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FatherNatividadclosedtheBible,turnedbacktoGonzoandshoutedabovethemusic.“Mr.Delgado,Iamheretodeliveramessage.Perhapsyouoverheardmetalkingtothebartender?”

“Yes,Idid,”Gonzoshoutedback.

“Sohowdidyouwindupsofarfromyourhomewhenyouhavesuchanicefamily?”

“Well,Father,”Gonzo’svoicequivered.“I’minlovewithagirlhereinOcampo.HernameisAmeriga.IcometoseeherasoftenasIcan,butshealwaysrefusestotalkwithmeandthenIwinduphere.”Gonzo’seyesseemedtogazeatsomethingfaraway.“WemetayearagohereinGuanajuato.Sheandherfamilyweresellingproducebythesideoftheroad.WhenIboughtsomestrawberries,shesmiledatme.Atthatmoment,ItookonelookintoherbeautifuleyesandknewthatIlovedher.”Gonzo’seyeswelledwithtears.“Icantellshe’spure!Butshewon’thaveanythingtodowithme!”Ateartrickleddownhischeek.“WhatcanIdo,Father?”

“Perhapsyoucanwooher,son.”

Gonzoslumpedasasuddenlookoffearpassedoverhisface.“ButIdon’tknowhow…MymothersaysI’vegotnosocialskills.”Gonzoburstintosobs.FatherNatividadlookedaroundquicklyattheothermeninthecantina,butnooneseemedtobepayinganyattention.

“Takeiteasy,son,”saidFatherNatividad,restingahandonGonzo’sshoulder.“I’msureyoucouldbringheraround.I’mtoldyoucomefromaverygoodfamily.”

AtFatherNatividad’swords,Gonzo’smindwanderedtohisearliestmemoryofAmerigaonthatdaywhenheboughtthestrawberriesandwalkedwithheraroundherfamily’sfarm.Therollinghillsfulloffruitwereasbeautifulasshewas.Whenheaskedhowtheygotsuchgoodharvests,Amerigasaidthatdespiteoccasionalwatershortages,theycouldstillpumpinfromthenearbycity,thoughthewaterwastaintedwithvariousimpurities.ShewaspassionateabouttheissueofcleanwaterandtalkedforalongtimeabouthowalackofitwasoneofMexico’sbiggestproblems.

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“Can’ttheyjustcollectrainwater?”Gonzoasked.

“Impossible!”Amerigashotbackangrily.“Didn’tyoulisten?Theproblemismuchmorecomplicatedthanrainwater!”

ItmadeGonzo’sbrainhurttryingtounderstandwhatAmerigawassaying.Butshesurelookedsexy,allhotandbotheredlikethat.Onlyweekslater,whenGASMAXtookherfamily’slandinaforcedsalefarbelowmarketvalue,Gonzowonderedhowwoundupshemightgetifheexplainedthelegaljustificationforeminentdomain.Theensuingslapacrosshisfacewasascloseashehadevergottentoawoman.AndwhileAmerigaroaredaboutlandandfreedom,allhecouldthinkofwasthelittletinglerunninguphisleg…

FatherNatividadclearedhisthroatandGonzo’smindcamebacktothepresent.Hewipedhishandacrosshisrunnynoseandlookedupatthepriest.“Myfamilyisexactlytheproblem.MyunclehasahighpositionatGASMAXandheusedhisconnectionstogetmeajobthere.ButGASMAXtookAmeriga’sfamilyfarmlandforoildrillingandgavethemverylittlecompensation.Thenshebrokeupwithme!”Gonzosobbedagainandburiedhisfaceinhishands.

FatherNatividadrolledhiseyestowardstheskyandtookadeepbreath.“Youmustbestrong,Gonzo!Whenyoushowawomanthemanthatyouare,thenshewillcometoyou.Rememberyou’vegotagoodjobandprospects.”

Gonzolookedupandwipedawayhistears.“WhyFather!You’reabsolutelyright.ThankGodfornepotism,”hesniffed.

FatherNatividadgrimacedandturnedaway.“Godworksinmysteriousways….”Hegesturedtowardsthecantina.“Theimportantthingnowisthatyougethome.It’snothealthyhere.”

“Thankyou,Father.IappreciateyourdeliveringthemessageonaSundaymorningwhenyouhaveotherresponsibilities.”

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“Sundaymorning?”FatherNatividadstaredatGonzo.“Whyit’sMonday,son!Thisismydayoff.”

Gonzosmackedhishead.“Ohshit!”

Suddenly,atonesoundedonGonzo’sphone.Ashereadthemessagehiseyesgrewlargeandhisjawwentslack:AGREATNEWOPPORTUNITYAWAITSYOUINTHEPRIVATESECTOR!!!GonzojumpedupandsmiledatFatherNatividad.“Whatablessingyourvisithasbroughtme,Father!Myuncleseemstohavefoundmesomeworkwithanothercompany!MaybeAmerigawon’thatemeafterall.Ihavetogetbackquickly.Icanstillcatchtoday’sflight,ifIhurry!”

FatherNatividadstoodup.“I’llgiveyouaridetotheairport,”hesaid.

Gonzowenttothebartopaythetab.“Hey,everyone!Ihavetogetbacktothecapital.I’vegotanewjob!”heshouted.

Themenhadjustfinishedtheirtwotequilas.CarloswalkedupandwrappedanarmaroundGonzo’sshoulder.

“Gonzo,you’reagentlemanandascholar.”

“AmI?”askedGonzo.

“Indisputably.”

Carlosshoutedattheothermenatthebar.“LetmebethefirsttocongratulateourgoodfriendGonzowhohasjustgottenanewjobinthecapital!”

“Hurray!”themencheered.

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“Anotherround!”shoutedCarlos.

“Hurray!”themencheered.

“OnGonzo!”shoutedCarlos.

“Hurray!”themencheered.

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Onthewaytotheairport,FatherNatividadtalkedabouthow,liketheprodigalson,Gonzohadbeenblessedwithasecondchance.HewouldneedtoworkhardtowinAmeriga’slove.Nomorevisitstothedesert.Nomore10:00AMtequilas.

ButGonzowasmessagingonhisphoneallthewhileandeventuallycalledhisuncleManuel,whoexplainedthatsomeveryunusualeventshadtakenplacejustthatmorningandthingsweremovingquickly.HehadhadanimpromptumeetingwiththeCEOofGASMAXandtwoPetroleumCommitteemembersfromtheMexicanChamberofDeputies.Anewproject,bottledwaterforexporttotheUSA,wasintheworks.GonzoneededtogetahandleonrelevantU.S.regulationsaheadofanothermeetingthenextday.AndhewassureGonzowouldprojectamatureandprofessionaldemeanorbefittinghispositionatGASMAX.

Foramoment,Gonzowonderedwhyhisunclewouldhelphimgetanotherjobafterhehadshirkedhisresponsibilitiesforthelastfewmonths.Butthethoughtfadedinalmostthesameinstantitsuggesteditself,andinitsplacecamevisionsofabeautiful,enragedAmeriga.

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Duringthecongressionalhearing

AtaKStreetrestaurant-barnearFarragutSquareindowntownD.C.,onlyacouplemilesfromtheDirksenSenateOfficeBuilding,agrey-hairedman,perhapsinhismid-sixties,wearingasuitandtie,satwatchingthehearingliveonanoverheadTVtunedtoC-Span.Hehadaworried,almostguiltylooktohim,likethatofamanwhoboreaheavyconscience.Hecalledthebartenderoverandorderedabeer.

“Gettingstartedearly,”saidtheyoungbartender.

“That’sright.”ThemandidnottakehiseyesofftheTV.

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“So,you’reinterestedinthiswholeMexicanwaterbusiness?”

“Yes,”saidtheoldman.Headdedunderhisbreath,“or,perhaps,Ishouldsayit’sinterestedinme.”

“Why’sthat?”askedthebartender.

Themanlookedstartledasifhehadnotexpectedthebartendertohearhisremark.“Well,”hesaid,“that’smynephewtestifyingupthere.”

“Youdon’tsay,”thebartenderlookedupattheTV.

SenatorScrope:“Mr.Delgado?Mr.Delgado?”

GonzoDelgado(joltingforward):“Yes!”

SenatorScrope:“I’llrepeatthequestion.WhatisyourrelationtothecompanycalledGonzoInternational?”

GonzoDelgado:“IamtheownerandCEO.”

SenatorScrope:“AndyourcompanywasresponsibleforimportingthisproductintotheUSA?”

GonzoDelgado:“Correct.”

Senator:“WouldyoufirsttellmewheretheideatoexportwatertotheUSAcamefrom?”

GonzoDelgado:[Speakingthroughaninterpreter]First,IwanttosaythatIwasworkingveryhardinmynormaljob,andIwasquitehappythere.ButIrealizedthatunderNAFTA,itwouldbepossibletofindnewwaystoenhancetradeandraisethequalityoflivesofboththeAmericanandMexicanpeopleaftermyunclegavemetheidea…

BowenCohen,sittingtoGonzo’sright,leanedoverandwhisperedsomethinginhisear.

SenatorScrope:Whatdoyoumeanyourunclegaveyoutheidea?

GonzoDelgado:Well…hewasretired.Hetoldmehewassittingaloneathomeonedaywithoutmuchtodo,anditjustcametohim.Itwasnotforprofitthatweshoulddothis,hetoldme,butforthebenefitofthepeopleofbothnations—

SenatorScrope:I’mnotsuretheAmericanpeoplearehappytobethebeneficiariesofyourbusiness.Butverywell,Mr.Delgado.Youclaimyouweredistractedfromyourformerjobbyyouruncle.Maybe,youcanclarifyhowthisallbegan.Yourunclewastheinspirationfortheidea?Didheplayanypartinstartingupthebusiness?

BowenCohenwhisperedagaininGonzo’sear.

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GonzoDelgado:Ohno,no.HeonlysuggestedtheideainpassingandIoccasionallybouncedsomeideasoffhim,justasweetoldmanwho’snotreallyallthere…

Thebartenderloweredhisheadandturnedawayinembarrassment.Themanatthebarspokeinastrongvoice:“Mynephewisaclownwhohaslearnedtolie,whichisthemostdangeroustypeofclown.”Heranhishandthroughhishair.“Buthowdoesoneblameaclown?”Hetookalongswallowfromhisbeerandturnedtothebartender.“Peopleonlylookaftertheirownself-interest,thesedays.Nooneisinterestedlearningintruth.”

Theyoungbartenderperkedup.“I’minterestedinlearningthetruth,”hesaid.

“Whatmakesyousosureyouwanttoknowthetruth?”

“I’mstudyinginternationaltrade.It’srightupmyalley.”

“Ha!Astudentofinternationaltrade,areyou?I’llneedtoperformemergencytriageonyoubeforeyoucanunderstandthetruth.”Theoldmanhelduphisemptyglass.“Getmeanotheroneofthesebeforewestart.”ThebartenderbeganfillinganotherglassasManuelthoughtbacktothatfatefuldayinMexicoCity…

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MANUEL'SMISTAKE

MexicoCity.Inthehighplateausofsouth-centralMexico.[8:30AM,90minutesbeforeFatherNatividad’svisittotheOcampocantina.]

Atallmaninablacksuitlopeddownanarrow,crowdedsidewalkindowntownMexicoCity.Theloosemovementsonhislargeframeunfoldedinanobliviousandawkwardmanner,likeadazedfightingbullinitsfinalpasses.Hewastalkingonamobilephoneashisfootknockedoverapanhandler’scup,scatteringcoinsalongthesidewalkandintoaguttergrate.Thepanhandlershoutedinprotest,butthemanappearednottohear.Astraydogcurledinitstailasitseyesfollowedthebull’slopingprogress.

Thepanhandlercollectedwhatcoinshecouldandquicklysetoffinpursuitoftheoffender,whowasthenstandinginfrontoftheentrancetoa60-storyglassofficebuilding,stilltalkingonhisphone.

“ButLily,you’reGonzo’ssecretary!Whatdoyoumeanyouhavenotseenhimforaweek?”

“Well,Manuel,maybehe’sbeenhereandIjustdidn’tnotice.”

“Don’tcoverforhim,Lily.”

“I’mnotcoveringforhim.I’mjustsayingit’spossiblehewasherewhenIwasnot.Whydoyouneedtoknow?Wait,Manuel!What’sthatvoiceinthebackground?”

Thepandhandlershouted,“Hastalavictoriasiempre!”-Untilthevictoryforever!

“Idon’tknow.Abeggar,Ithink,”saidManuel.

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“Tierraylibertad!”-Landandfreedom!

“What’sheyellingabout?Isheyellingatyou?”

“No,no.Ithinkhe’sjustyellingaboutarevolution,Lily.Whatwereyousaying?”

“Tudineroessucio!”-Yourmoneyisdirty!

“Oh,nevermindthen!Didyouhearmyquestion?”

“Whichquestion?”Manuelpivotedabittoevadetheshouting.

“Itsoundsveryloudthere!I’llcallyouback.”

“No,Lily.I’llbeupinaminute.”

ManuelhungupandsawtwosecurityguardswalkingdirectlytowardshimfromtheentranceoftheGASMAXofficebuilding.Heturnedaround.Thepanhandlerwasshoutingathim!AsmallcrowdhadgatheredandwasstaringatManuelandthemadman.Oneoftheguardssmiledatthepanhandler.“Hey,takeiteasy,friend.What’stheproblem?”

“Themanowesme50pesos!”shoutedthebeggar.

“Isthattrue?”theguardaskedManuel.

“It’snottrue.Ihavenoideawhathe’stalkingabout.”Manuelshruggedhisshouldersandshowedhishands.

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Theguardgrabbedthebeggarbythearm,tookhimafewmeterstothesideandspokequietly,“Doyouknowwhothismanis?Heisnotsomeoneyouwantproblemswith.”Hecuttheairashemadehispoints.“There’snoreasonhewouldstealyourmeasly50pesos.”

Thebeggargesturedpleadingly.“Butit’sthetruth!Hespilledmycoinsintothegutter.”

“Thengopickthemoutofthegutteroryou’llhavemoreproblemsthanafewlostcoins.AmIclear?”

Thebeggarimmediatelyturnedandwalkedbackfromwherehehadcome.ThecrowddispersedastheofficersescortedManueltowardstheentrance.“Letusknowifthislunaticgivesyouanymoreproblems,Mr.Gonzalez.”

“Iwill,”saidManuel.“Thanksbothofyouforyourhelp.”

“That’swhatwe’reherefor,”saidoneoftheguardsasheopenedthedoor.Inside,ManuelscannedhisIDnexttoaneight-and-a-halffoothighfloor-to-ceilingmetal-toothedrevolvingdoor.AcomputeridentifiedhimtoanattendantasManuelGonzalez,adepartmentheadatGASMAX,theMexicanstate-ownedpetroleumcompanywhoseofficestookuptheentirebuilding.Afterthelocksclickedupfromthefloor,hecarefullyscuffedalonginahalf-arc,thenexitedasthelocksclickedbackintoplace.Hecrossedthelobby,enteredtheelevator,gotoffontheninthfloorandwalkedforawhilepastmostlyemptyoffices.FewGASMAXemployeeshadarrivedyet,butLilywasearly.

“Goodmorning,Lily.You’relookingbeautifultoday.”

“Goodmorning,Manuel,”Lilysmiled.“Howareyou?”

“Nocomplaints,exceptforGonzo.Hismotherislookingforhim.Shehasnotheardfromhimindays.”Manuelranhisfingeroverhismustache,asifhidingasmalllie.“Ididn’thaveachancetoaskyouonthephonewhenhemightbein.”

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“Letmecheckhisschedule.”Lilyscruncheduphernose.“Mmmm,hedoesn’thaveanyappointments.I’mnotsurewhenhe’scoming.”

Manuelfrowned.“Doyouknowifhegotmyphonemessageslastweek?”

“Ileftthemessagesonhisdesk.”

“What’sheworkingonnow?”

“Eh,he’sdoingsomeresearchforareport.”

“Whatreport?”

“Itis,eh,letmefindit,”Lilyshuffledthroughsomepapersonherdesk.“It’sbetterIreadittoyouthanrelyonmymemory.Hereitis:RevisitingtheSiesta:NappingandWorkerProductivityinMexico.”

Manuelrestedhisforearmheavilyonthechest-highpartitionscreeninfrontofLily’sdesk.

“Howmanypagessofar?”

“Sofar,thereisonlythetitlepage,Manuel.”

Manuelavertedhisgaze.“Howlonghaveweknowneachother,Lily?”

“Well,Istartedworkingheretwenty-fiveyearsago.Youwerealreadyhere.Wemetthen.”

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“Twenty-fiveyearswe’vebeencolleaguesandfriendsandIalwaysavoidedfavoritismandkeptmynoseclean,right?”

“Ofcourse!”Lilylookedsurprised.“YouchairedtheTransparencyCommittee.Everyoneknowsthat.”

Manuelshotuprailstraightatthecomplimentandallowedhimselfararesmile.Then,heturnedbacktoLily,frownedagainandgesturedtowardsGonzo’soffice.“NowyouknowwhyIalwaystrytofollowtherules.”Heliftedhisindexfingerhighintheair.“Nexttimemywifeasksmetodoafavorforherfavoritesister,remindmethatherfavoritesister’ssonalreadyhasajobhere.”

LilyeyedManuelthewayanadultlooksatamisbehavingchild.“I’llremindyou,”shesaid.

“Myonemistake,”Manuelmutteredasheturnedandwalkedbackdownthehallway.Hetooktheelevatortothe58thfloor,satdownathisdeskandloggedontohiscomputertocheckforemails.Therewasonlytheonehehadseenthenightbefore.Itwasfromhisyoung45-year-oldboss,thenewCEO20yearshisjunior,whowassupposedlypossessedofwondrousnewvisionsforGASMAX.

Pleasecomeseemeinmyofficetomorrowmorningat9:00o’clocksharptoreviewsomeproductionfigures.Othersolutionsareneeded.Seeattached.TwofederaldeputiesfromtheMexicanCongresswillbepresent.Arecenthire,GonzoDelgado,mayberightforanupcomingproject.

-JoseHatem

ChiefExecutiveOfficer,GASMAX

Manuelfeltchillsatthementionofhisnephew.HecouldnotthinkhowHatemwouldknowGonzo’snamenorofanyprojectthatGonzowouldbegoodfor.Butwhyworry?OnlyLilyknewaboutGonzo.Andnothingabouttheemailreallymadeanysense,anyway.AsDepartmentHeadofLegal,productionstrategywasnothisexpertise.TheattachedfiguresweresimplyverygeneralnumbersthatdocumentedGASMAX’swell-knowndeclineinoilandgasproduction.

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Justashewasabouttoheadtothemeeting,hisphonerang.Itwashiswife,Mariela.

“Mani,mysisterfoundGonzo,”shesaid.

“Where?”

“He’swinteringinthedesert.”

“Wintering?Whatonearthdoyoumean?”

ManuelheardMarielainhaleandexhalefromacigarette.“It’scoldhere.It’swarmthere.Andit’sthewinter.That’swhatImean.”

“Whereexactlyishe?”

“He’sinthenorth,nearOcampo.”

“Ocampo?”Manuel’seyesmovedupandtotheleftforamoment.“That’shundredsofmilesawayinthedesert.Thedesertisn’tsafeforGASMAXemployees.Theygetkidnappedthere!”

“Hehasn’tbeenkidnapped.”

“Butnothingexiststhere.”

“Ournephewexiststhere.”

“Whyintheworlddidhegothere?”

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“He’sinlove,Mani.”

“What?Thisisn’tatimetotalkontangents,Mariela.Tellmeexactlywhereheisandmaybewecangethimbacksafely.”

“Somebodyisontheirwayrightnowtotalktohim.”

“Already?”

“We’vearrangedforFatherAlcazartohelpusretrievehim.”

“FatherAlcazarwillretrieveGonzo?”

“Notexactly.HeknowsapriestinOcampo,andthepriestclaimstoknowwherehemightfindGonzo.FatherAlcazarassuredmetheywillbediscrete.YouknowGonzoalwayslookeduptotheclergywhenhewasachild.Ithinkhewilllisten.”

“Ihaven’tseenGonzoinchurchinmorethanadecade,”saidManuel.

“Allthebetter!Priestslovetoconvertthosewhohavestrayedfromtheflock.Besides,whoelseshouldwesend?”

Manuelthoughtforamoment.“Youdidn’ttellmeexactlywhyhewenttheretobeginwith.”

“Yousaidnottotalkontangents.”

“Itakeitback.”

“He’sdoing…something-I-don’t-remember,”Marielasaidinasecretivestaccato.

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Manuel’svoicewaveredwearily.“Youdon’tremember?”

Manuelheardhiswifeinhaleandexhaleagain.AsshetoldthestoryofGonzo’sunrequitedloveforAmeriga,herwordsreverberatedinsidehisheadliketheplotofasecond-rateMexicansoapopera.Heclosedhiseyesandtookadeepbreath,whilehisnormallylight-skinnedplacidvisagetookonanindignantindigohue.

***

Duringthecongressionalhearing

“Why’dyougiveyournephewajobtobeginwith?”askedthebartender.

Manuel’smouthtwistedaskew.“MywifeandIneverhadchildren.So,shealwayswantstohelpherniecesandnephews.Andshecomesfromarichfamily…”Manuelshrugged.“Anyway,Ionlyhadsixmonthsuntilretirement.Ifiguredwhatharmcoulditdo?”Hecringedasheheardhisnephewtrytonegotiateanotherquestion.“Please,”hesaid,“getmeanotherbeer.Youknow,ifhefinisheshistestimonywithoutsayingsomethingheshouldn’t,maybeitwillbesafeformetogobacktoMexico.”

“What’swaitingforyoubackinMexico?”askedthebartender.

“Sometimes,it’sbetternottoasktoomanyquestions,”saidManuel.

“Idon’tmeantopry.Butit’sjustwhatI’mdoingmygraduateresearchin.”

Manuel’sbrainwasbuzzingfromthebeer.“Verywell,”hesaid.“YouseethatSenatorupthere,lookingforthetruth?Hewon’tfindit.Thetruthisthereisnothingstraightforwardaboutinternationaltrade,leastofallinMexico.ThetruthisIwasaconfidentmanwithintegritybeforethiswholemessbegan…”

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3

YOUGOTTHEPESOYOUGOTTHESAY-SO

MexicoCity.[9:00AM]

ThelightsdimmedandablurredmapofMexicoandnearbycountrieswhirreddownfromtheceiling,bringingthecountriesandcitiesofNorthAmericaintofocus.FirstcameCanadaanditsvastfrozenprovincesfollowedbythenorthernU.S.states.Next‘SONORANDESERT’and‘CHIHUAHUANDESERT’appearedinlargefontacrossthesouthernpartsofCalifornia,Arizona,andNewMexico,extendingfarsouthoftheRioGrandintoMexico.ThencameBajaCaliforniaontheleft,withMexicoCitynearthebottom.

ManuelsatataconferencetablewithJoseHatem,andPabloUrdialesandRicardoTraficante,twoelectedmembersofthefederalChamberofDeputies,thelowerhouseofMexico’slegislativebody.Whenthescreencametoastop,ManuelshiftedhisattentiontoPablo,whostoodnexttoit,bouncingtheendofalongpointerstickonthefloor.Hewasshortenoughsothat,whenthestickbouncedup,thetipreachedthecrownofhishead.Acrossthetable,Ricardotwirledapencilinhishandandslumpedsofardownthathisdoublechinappearedtorestonhischest.

“Quiteabigmap,”saidHatem.

Pabloabruptlysteppedforward,grabbedhisstickwithbothhands,lookedintentlyathisaudience,then,raisinghischin,swungaroundonhisheelandwithasimultaneousarchingmotionsmackeditsquarelyonMexicoCity.

“Wearehere!”

Thepointer’sdownwardperturbationagainstthescreenkickedintheautomaticretractionmechanism.MexicoCityquicklydisappeared.Pablograbbedthescreenandjerkedhard,causingtheretractingmechanismtomalfunctionandjoltthescreenupanddownwhileemittingathroatycat-ballnoise.Thesuitsgaveastart!Pablojerkedhardagain,thistimecausingthescreen,andwithitthewholeoftheNorthAmericancontinent,tocomecrashingtothefloor.

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Largemotesofdustanddebrisdashedaboutintheprojector’safterglow.Hatemgotupandhurriedacrosstheroom.“AreyouOK,Pablo?Anythinghurt?”

“IthinkI’mfine.”Pablolookedaroundathisaudience.“Pleaseexcuseme,gentlemen.Wedidnotanticipatesuchanevent.”

“It’sentirelyourmistake,”saidHatem.“Weneedtogetthescreenmoresecurelyfastened.”

“Maybe,wecanjustgiveaquicksummaryfornow,”saidPablo.

HatemsmiledandgavetheOKsign.“That’sallweneed,”hesaid.

Pablobeganagain.“Essentially,themapshowshowthesameexportroutesforMexicancrudeoiltotheUnitedStatescanbeusedforbottledwaterexport.”HestoodinoneplaceandlookedonlyatManuel.“SomeofthedistributionroutestogasstationsintheU.S.arerightintheareaswithhighconcentrationsofMexican-Americancommunities.That’swherewearelikelytofindthemostcustomersforMexicanbottledwater.”

RicardobrokeinandalsoaddressedManuel.“There’sanobviousdemandintheveryhotAmericanSouthwest.TherearealsomanyMexicanslivinginthosesameareaswhomightliketheideaofbuyingbottledwaterfromtheirhomeland.”HestartedlookingbackandforthbetweenHatemandManuel,whoremainedsilent.“Asforpricing,we’vedonesomeresearchthatshowswecanundercuttheaveragepriceforbottledwaterby20%.ThecostofbottledwaterintheStatesishigh,almostthesameasforsoda.Lookingatthewholepicture,wethinkthereisrealpotential.Butmostimportantly,we’vegottothinkaboutdistribution.”

“Andthat’swherewe’llcomein,”HatemsaidtoManuel.

“Doyouhaveanymoreinformationonthat?”askedRicardo.

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“Notyet,”saidHatem.“WewanttomakesureeverythingissetuponthisendbeforewemakecontactwiththedistributorsinTexas.”HeturnedtoManuel,“Wecanuseourconnectionswithpetro-productdistributorstosellthroughoutthesouthwest.”

“We’vediscussedmuchofthisbefore,”saidRicardo.“ButManuel,youbeingalawyer,I’mcurioustogetyourreactionfromalegalstandpoint.”

Waterexportforastate-runoilcompany?Manuelstudiedthefacesintheroombutnoonewaslaughing.Hetouchedtheendofhislongdroopingmustacheforamoment,thenventuredwhatseemedlikeasaferesponse.“TherearewatershortageshereinMexico.LookattheproblemsthelocalsgaveNegraModeloinMexicaliwhenitworkedinsecretwiththegovernmenttotapintothepublicwatersupplyforbeerexport.”

Ricardothrewouthishandsandmaybegavealittleshrug,thoughtherewassomuchfathangingonhistorsoitwasdifficulttell.“Nomyfriend!Noneedtoworryaboutwatershortagesonthissideoftheborder.”Heclosedhiseyesandlaughed.“Mexicansarearesourcefulpeople.No,no.Themainissueisfindingthecheapestway.ThewaterwillbesourcedfromhereinMexicoCity.”

Manuelblinkedrapidlyseveraltimes.“Youmeantapwater?Whataboutpurification?Andwhynotsourceitclosertotheborderthen?”

Foramoment,Ricardostaredwide-eyedatManuel,asifhehadn’texpectedanyrealobjection.“Thesearenotlegalconsiderations.”

“Buttheymightgiverisetolegalchallenges,”saidManuel.

RicardolookedawayandtwirledhispencilbetweenhisfingerswhileaddressingManuelinaflattone.“Weneedtokeepclosetabsonthebusiness.Wethinkwecanfindwaystodefraytransportationcosts.”Henoddedperfunctorilyashemadehispoints.“Tapwaterisinexpensivetobeginwith.Andmostbottledwatergoesthroughunnecessarilyexpensivepurificationprocesses.”

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“Isee,”saidManuel,sensingheshouldnotpresstheissue,butinsteadgettotheonepointthat,asalawyer,hecouldnotavoid.“IshouldmentionthattheMexicanConstitutionbarsthepublicsaleofmunicipalwaterwithoutaconcessionfromthegovernment,whichisverydifficulttoget.”

Pablobrokein,“Manuel,wearethegovernment…”

Hatemclearedhisthroat,“Yougentlemencangetintomoredetailslaterafterwegetourlegalteamworkingonthis.”HelookedatManuel,whodidnotrespond.

“Good,”saidRicardo.“Withourtimeline,thesoonerwemeetthebetter.Whatabouttomorrowafternoon,3:00?”

“Yes,”saidHatem.“Ifit’sconvenientforeveryone,youcouldallmeetattherevolvingrestaurantinthehigh-rise,inSantaFeneighborhood.”

“Goodidea!”Pablosaid,walkingovertothetable.Hethrewuphishands,asifframingapicture.“Ithasagreatviewofthecity!Manuel,willyoubeabletomakeitat3:00?”

“He’sfreethen,”HatemansweredforManuel.“Andafteryougentlemensortoutthedetails,we’llcontactthedistributors.”Hatemstoodup,smiledandslappedRicardoandPabloontheback.“Thingsaremovingahead.Icanfeelmoneyrollinginalready!”

“Positivethinking!”saidRicardo.Heliftedafinger.“That’sthekindofattitudeyourpredecessorlacked.”TurningtoManuel,hesaid,“Manuel,Ilookforwardtoworkingwithyou.”Ricardoreachedouthishand.

Manuelstoodup,shookRicardo’shand,andofferedanoncommittalresponse.“Aninterestingproposal,indeed.”

***

Afterthefederaldeputiesleft,HatemmotionedforManueltositdowninoneofthechairsclosebythatwasarrangedaroundacoffeetable.

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“Manuel,I’msorryIdidn’thavetimetofillyouin.Theycalledatthelastminute.”Manuelacknowledgedtheexplanationwithanodofhishead.Hatemsatdown,restedhiselbowsonhiskneesandbroughthisfingertipstogether.“Whatdoyouthink?”

Manuelwasn’tsurewhethertolaugh.EveryoneknewGASMAXwasastate-ownedcompanyconstitutionallybarredfromdoingbusinessinanycommercialsectorexceptoilandgas.Hetriedtoaccommodatethestupidityofthequestion.

“Wecouldattempttogetpermissionfromthegovernment,”hesaid.“Though,itwouldprobablybeeasiertogetthegovernmenttoincorporateaseparatepubliccompany,allowingthatcompanytomakeuseofGASMAXresourcesasneeded.”

“Youmeanthewaywealreadyincorporatesubsidiariesforthedifferentfacetsofourpetroleumproduction?”askedHatem.

Manuelshrugged.“Moreorless.Butitwouldhavetobeaseparatecompany,ofcourse.”

“Aseparatecompany.That’sinteresting,”Hatemrubbedhischinbetweenhisthumbandforefinger.“Whataboutmakingitprivate,insteadofgoingthroughthegovernment?”

ManuelleveledhisgazeonHatemforamomentbeforereplying.“ThatoptionisnotwithinthemandatelaidoutforusbytheConstitution.”Hepausedtowaitforsomeindicationthatmightsignalaglimmerofunderstanding.ButHatemonlyreturnedablankstare.“Indeed,”continuedManuel,“itcouldbeconstruedasusingpublicassetsforprivategain,whichisillegal.”

“Trueenough,Manuel.Iappreciateyourfrankassessment.”Hatemleanedback,crossedhislegs,andrestedhiselbowsonthearmrests.“However,wearesomewhatconstrainedbycircumstance.It’salwayswisetotestanewbusinessmodelonasmallscalebeforeitbecomesfullyoperational.Otherwise,weriskwastingtaxpayermoney.”Hatemgaveafewhandtwirls.“Itcouldproveprofitablewithtimethough.Especiallyforthosewhoareinonitearlyon.”Hateminclinedhisheadandraised

30

hiseyebrowsatManuel.“YouaretheonewhohasdecadesofinternationallegalexperiencewithNAFTA,andregulationsintheStates—notme,notthefederaldeputies.”

Manuelhadresistedsuchblandishmentsbefore.Hisreputationwascleanandheintendedtokeepitthatway.“Jose,I’mflattered.ButI’mnotthatexperiencedwithNAFTAandU.S.regulations,especiallywhenitcomestoconsumerproducts.Andbesides,myhandsarefullwithGASMAXworknow.”Manuelshruggedtoindicatehehadnochoiceinthematter.

“Oh,that’sright,”saidHatem,whowastakingamomenttocheckamessageonhisphone.Manuelbegantosenserelief.Hehadstoodhisgroundwithhisnewboss.TheupstartCEOwouldbackdownandtheycouldbothpretendthismeetinghadneverhappened.AfterHatemcheckedhismessage,helookedbackupandraisedhisindexfinger.“That’swhyIwouldn’tletittaketimeawayfromyourregularresponsibilities.”

ManuelsawthatHatemassumedhemustbeusedtoparticipatinginhigh-levelcorruptionafter30yearsofworkingatGASMAX.Somethinglike15%ofGASMAX’sbudgetwaslosteachyear,payingforunneededservicesprovidedbyprivateshellcorporationsthatwereawarded‘contracts’for‘work’.ManueltookadeepbreathandwasabouttorespondbeforeHatempressedonwithhispitch.

“Don’tworrymyfriend!”Hatemsmiled.“You’repartoftheelite.You’llbewell-rewarded,andnobodyheregetsintotroubleforthinkingoutsidethebox.”Hebunchedhisfingerstogether,touchedthemtohisheartandleanedforward.“Especially,whenI’vegottheirback.”Hatempaused,asiftoletthatsinkin.“Nowlook,GASMAXownsmanytrucksthatbeforewereusedtotransportoiltotheU.S.,butnowtheysitidleinparkinglotsaroundthecountrywhentheycouldbehaulingwatertotheborder.Whatawaste!”Hepartedhishands,creatinganemptyvoid.“Withalittlereconfiguration,thosetruckscouldbehaulingbottledwatertotheborder.Pluswe’vegotdriversonthepayrollwhowecan’tfirebecauseofredtape.OilisnottheonlythingthattheU.S.economyneeds.It’sawin-win.”Hatemsmiled.

“Jose,I’msorry.IhavetosayI’mnotyourman.ImaynotknowNAFTAaswellasyouthink.AndI’mtoowellknowninthelegalworld.Myparticipation,orevenpresence,couldunderminetheproject.Andit’sonlyamatterofmonthsbeforeIretire,Jose.Iwon’tevenbearoundthatlong.”

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Suddenly,Hatemturnedquietanddidn’tmove,asifrealizingforthefirsttimethatManuelwasn’tmakingpro-formaprotests—thathemayinfacthaveprincipledobjections.ItwastheonecontingencyHatemappearedunpreparedfor…Hegotup,walkedovertoatableandbegantopoursomewaterwhilehecontinuedtheconversationinmonotonewithhisbackturned.“Bytheway,thereisthatrecenthireinthelegaldepartmentthatImentionedinmyemail.AmannamedGonzoDelgado.Doyouknowhim?”

Manuelflinched,butRicardohadhisbackturned.“Oh,yes.IthinkI’vemethim,”saidManuel.

“He’sadualU.S./MexicancitizenfromwhatIhear—mustspeakreasonablygoodEnglishaftergettinghisone-yearLLMintheStates—oratleastreadit.”HatemtookadrinkofwaterstillwithhisbacktoManuel.

“Indeed.Irecallseeingthatonhisresume.We’reluckytohavehim,”saidManuel.

“Isheanyrelationtoyou?”

Manuel’sheartskippedabeat.Thereweremorethan10,000employeesatGASMAX.ItwasoneofthelargestcompaniesinLatinAmerica.HowcouldHatemknowabouthisnephew?Hadhebeeninvestigated?

“I’drathernotanswerthat,”saidManuel.

“Iunderstand.”Hatemturnedbackaround,raisedareassuringhandandgaveanod.Herestedanelbowonthetablebehindhimandleanedback.“ThemainreasonImentionhimisthathemightbeaverygoodpersontohelpmanageournewcompany.ItcametomyattentionthathehaslawdegreesfromboththeU.S.andMexico,inadditiontobeingadualcitizen.AndhemustknowU.S.culture.That’sright,isn’tit?”

Manuelfelthehadnochoicebuttorespondwiththetruth.“Idon’tknowwhetherhe’sthatfamiliarwithU.S.culture,”hesaid.“HeisacitizenoftheUnitedStatesbecausehismothergavebirthtohimonU.S.territory25yearsagoandthencame

32

rightbacktoMexico.HeonlyreturnedtotheU.S.foragraduateone-yearLLMdegreeinU.S.law.AndIdon’tknowaboutspeakingEnglish,thoughhereadsitwell—andhemanagedtopasstheTexasbar.But,ImusttellyouJose,heisuntested.Icannotsaywhatsortsofdecisionshemightmakeinrealworldsituations.”

“That’sfine,”saidJosewithawaveofhishand.“SomeonewithU.S.citizenshipandareasonablefamiliaritywiththecountry’slegalsystemandcultureisenoughforthisproject.Perhaps,GonzocouldtakewhathelearnedhereatGASMAXandapplyittoanewendeavorwherehemight…”–Hatempausedandlookedaway,asifsearchingfortherightword–“accomplishmore.Youcankeepaneyeonhim,ofcourse.Andthenasyousay,you’llberetiringsoon.There’sanicepensionandlucrativeconsultingwork,waitingforyouinafewmonths.”Hatemtookanothersipofwater,shookhisheadandcluckedhistongue.“Iwouldn’twantGonzo’sworkingheretojeopardizethatinanyway.”

Manuelfeltbloodrushingtohishead,buthemaintainedhiscomposureandmetHatem’sstare.Hatemsetdownhisglassandshruggedhisshoulders.“AllI’msayingisthesoonerGonzopursuesacareerelsewhere,thebetteritwouldbeforeveryone,don’tyouthink?Ontopofthat…”

Manuelstoppedlisteninganddidaquickassessment.GASMAX’scodeofconductcouldbeusedtoprotecthim,specificallysection1,rule3.5:“AnyemployeewhobecomesawareofabreachoftheseruleswillreportthebreachdirectlytotheEthicsCommittee.”HecouldreportHatem.But,ofcourse,hisbossmightretaliatewithavalidchargeofnepotism.And,besides,HatemhadjustbeenappointedCEOofGASMAXbyhisfriend,thePresidentofMexico,ameretwomonthsearlier…Manuelstartedpayingattentionagain…

“…andthisproductissoldatapremium,”saidHatem.

“Nowthatyouputitthatway,itsoundslikeaninterestingidea.”Manuelblinked.

Hatemsmiledagain.HisposturerelaxedabitashewalkeduptoManuelandputahandonhisshoulder.Hisvoicewaswarmandwelcoming.“I’mverygladtohearthatyou’reinterestedinteamingwithus.Andit’sbetter,Ithink,toexplainthedetailstoGonzoyourself.I’llletRicardoandPabloknowthatGonzowillbejoiningyou.”HesatbackdownandheldManuel’sgazeforamomentbeforecontinuing.“Remember,itwillbemoreconvenientforyouandGonzotomeetwiththesemen

33

directlyinthefuture,andthere’snoneedforeitherofyoutorevealthatyouarerelated.Itwouldonlycausethefederaldeputiesneedlessdiscomfort.ExplaintoGonzothatyourfamilyrelationshipwithhimremainsconfidential.”

“Isee,but—”

“AndI’llwantregularprogressreports,butneverwritten.Understood?”

Manuelsatupstraight,pulledhisjackettightandraisedhisheadinanexpressionofpridethatresembledthedignitythatemanatesfromahandsomebutbeatupoldantique.“Ofcourse,Jose.I’lldowhatIcantohelp,”hesaid.

***

Backinhisofficeathisdesk,Manueltriedtoclearhismind.Ifhecouldjustthinkofawayout,somegracefulexitoraninsurmountableobstaclethatwouldscuttletheentireprojectandkeephisintegritymoreorlessintact…Therewasthequestionofhisnephew’scompetence.Itmightthrowawrenchintheworks.AndifGonzo’sworkethicandinexperiencealonewerenotenough,Manuelwouldsurelyhaveopportunitiestomismanagehim—themanbehindthecurtain,asitwere.Hewouldberetiredbythetimethebusinesscollapsed.ButwhatifRicardoandPablodidnotagreetobringGonzoon?Agoodfirstimpressionwouldbeessential.

Manuelfeltasuddenpangofguiltatthethoughtofsacrificinghisnephewlikethis.Ontheotherhand,hadn’thealreadygivenGonzomorethanafairshotathonestwork?Andbesides,Gonzo’scontinuedpresenceatGASMAXwouldriskembarrassingtheentirefamily!Hatem’swordsfromthemeetingechoedinsideManuel’shead:ThesoonerGonzopursuesacareerelsewhere,thebetteritwouldbeforeveryone…

ManuelpulledouthisiPhoneandwrote:NEWPROJECT.TOMORROWATTHESPINNINGWHEELRESTAURANT.BETHERE3PM,SOBER.AGREATNEWOPPORTUNITYAWAITSYOUINTHEPRIVATESECTOR!!!Then,hehit‘send.’

Histhoughtsdriftedashestaredoutthewindowatthestormcloudsapproachingthecityfromthenorth.TheyremindedhimofhowthestrangestoryofthegenesisofMexicoCityseemedtocontainanelementarycontradictionthatnooneeverquestioned.Longago,anomadicgroupofAztecswhohadbeenwanderinginthedesertfornooneknowshowlong—butprobablylongenoughtobecomedehydratedandhallucinate—believedtheysawaneagleperchedonacactuswitha

34

snakeinitsmouth.TheydecidedthiswasasignfromtheirGod,Huitzilopochtli,thattheyshouldstopwanderingandcreatethesettlementoutofwhichgrewMexicoCity.Butthecitywasbuiltonacircularlake-basinwheretherewerefrequentrainstorms,nowherenearanydesertcacti.Manuelhadalwayswondered:Whendoesaneagleeatasnakeonacactusthatgrowsinthemiddleofalakebasin?Whentheall-powerfulgovernmenttellsyouitdoes,hethought.

Butthelakeshadbeendrainedlongago,andtheformerbasinwasnowaswathofdisorganizedhumanitysovastnoonecouldrightlysayhowmanymillionsdwelledwithinitssprawl.Thechock-a-blockbuildingswherethesesoulslivedandworked,formedapasticheofwhites,reds,bluesandyellows,withoccasionalrunsofgreenstretchingalongwide,upscaleavenuesandresidentialtree-linedstreets.Fartherout,brownslumswoundtheirwayhelter-skelterupsteepmountainslopes.Theurbanjumbleresembledaroilingstormyseawithbarrioflotsamonthemargins,slamminglikewavesagainstthemountains,readytofallbackwardsandinundatethecityatanymoment,perhaps,insomeasyetunfulfilledAztecprophecy.

ENDFREESAMPLE

FulltextofGonzoGlobalInc.atwww.amazon.com

@JamesWeitz,2019