Open Writing

Dr Treacher was very impressed with the hotel that the government had arranged for him. It was in the centre of the capital, but carefully isolated from the traffic and other irritating noises which plague such places. A complete suite on the top floor had been placed at his disposal. It consisted of a rather grand reception room leading to a larger bedroom with what, in hotel jargon, is called complete en-suite facilities. He was surprised to find two double beds there, together with a dining table and chairs.

The senior government official who had met him at the airport accompanied him in the large black limousine to the hotel and explained that two security officers would be providing a round-the-clock service in the outer room and would make stringent checks on all visitors.

“You must understand, Dr Treacher,” said this man, “that we regard both your security and your comfort as our first priority. There are, unfortunately, elements in the country who are implacably opposed to the newly elected democratic regime which we have established and will do anything to disrupt our ties with your country. We, on the other hand, greatly value your expertise and experience and are looking forward to a long and mutually fruitful association.”

“Your English is very good,” said Dr Treacher. “I particularly like implacably opposed.”

In fact, he supposed that the man had learnt by heart a whole string of cliches and other pieces of jargon, possibly in several languages, as part and parcel of the job of diplomat.

“English has been taught in our country for many years now and I think you will be pleasantly surprised at how familiar we are with western culture generally. I have taken the liberty of arranging for dinner to be served in your suite. The public restaurant is not quite appropriate for such a distinguished guest. Please let my men know when you are ready to dine.”

Dr Treacher washed and changed and was sorting through some papers when there was a discreet knock at the door and a security man stepped in.

“Not too early for you, is it, sir?“ he said. “Your guests have arrived.“

“I wasn’t expecting visitors this evening,“ said Dr Treacher. “I mean, there isn’t an interpreter, and in any case I was hoping to relax and settle in on my first night.“

“Yes, sir, that is what has been arranged.”

He stepped to one side and beckoned. Two figures slipped into the room, which he then immediately left.

“Good evening, Dr Treacher,” said the newcomers, almost in unison.

Dr Treacher found himself looking at two young women, one in her early twenties, the other about ten years older. They were smartly dressed in contemporary European fashion, tall, slim, very attractive.

The older woman spoke. “I am Anna. This is my colleague Barbara. We hope you have had a pleasant journey and that everything is to your liking.” Her voice was gentle, reassuring. Barbara nodded and they both smiled.

Dr Treacher offered his hand.

“Very nice to meet you both. What can I do for you?”

The girls exchanged glances and seems puzzled.

“On the contrary,” said Anna. “The question is rather what can we do for you?”

“Are you from the ministry?” asked Dr Treacher. “Economists, administrators, lawyers, perhaps? I wasn’t expecting anyone this evening. I was thinking about a bite to eat and then turning in early.”

“Yes,” said Anna. “We are from the ministry. If you are hungry and wish to dine alone, we can come back later.” She hesitated. “Don’t you like us, Dr Treacher?”

Dr Treacher was startled. He had not expected to be asked if he actually liked any of the people he dealt with.

Barbara interrupted his thoughts. “It is important,” she said. “For us.”

Anna, clearly the senior in rank, waved her to silence.

Dr Treacher had a vague, unsettling feeling that his visit was about to get off on the wrong foot.

“No, no,” he said.” Look, why not join me for dinner. We can talk then.”

Both women looked relieved and had a brief, muttered conversation in their native tongue. Barbara slipped back into the outer room and Anna moved swiftly to the dining table, fished a fine linen tablecloth from a concealed drawer underneath its polished top and began quickly to set three places. She talked rapidly the while about her country, its attractions, the government’s plans for the future, the need for the world to appreciate that the old regime had disappeared for good.

Dr Treacher sat and watched, slightly bewildered by this performance. In next to no time at all, or so it seemed, the two women were standing by a laden table and waiting for him to join them. He suddenly realised that he was terribly hungry.

“Sorry,” he said as he joined them and busied himself with a napkin. “You must think me terribly rude. Tell me, what exactly do you do at the ministry?”.

The women looked at each other as they piled food on to his plate.
“We are part of the reception committee, Dr Treacher. We are trained to make important people like yourself feel welcome and relaxed. Whatever you want we can ...“ She paused. “Arrange.”

“Right. Well, apart from some sustenance and a good night’s sleep. I don‘t think I need anything. My, this is very tasty. Is this a national dish? Tell me about yourselves, where you live, your families and so on.”

But, as the meal progressed, Dr Treacher became mildly irritated at the total lack of information he was getting on the matters he had raised. The women were pleasant enough, but did not seem willing to tell him anything about themselves. They were full of statistics about steel production, oil reserves, growth potential, education and whatever. They seemed puzzled and, he thought. dismayed when, over coffee, he suggested that, as it was quite late he did not want to detain them. They had, he explained, been delightful company and he hoped to see them again before he returned home.

“Dr Treacher,” said Anna. “I have to talk seriously with you. Please tell me if you do not like us. We both like you very much. You are a very sincere person. This is the first time we have met such a visitor to our country. If you do not like us, that will be very bad for us. Very bad. If you send us away, that is.”

Dr Treacher looked from one to the other. Anna looked composed, but anxious. Barbara, however, looked near to tears.

“You want to stay the night?”

The women did not immediately reply. Then Anna leant forward and gently placed a hand on his arm. She looked apprehensive, as if expecting a violent reaction. When that did not occur, she released his arm, stood up and signalled to Barbara.

“We have made a big mistake, Dr Treacher, for which I apologise and for which we must pay the price. Your presence here is very important and our country needs you and others like you, so we want you to feel happy. Our democracy is young and that is why we make mistakes like this. Come, Barbara.”

“Wait,” said Dr Treacher. “the mistake is not yours.” He paused. “I hope you will do me the honour of staying the night. After all“ - he gestured - “the sleeping arrangements are more than adequate.”

“Will that” - Anna hesitated - “not create difficulties for you, Dr Treacher? I think you understand.”

“Let me worry about that, Anna. I want you to know that I do not think any less of you, your country or your people because of this mistake. There is only one thing.”

“And that is ...?”

“Does either of you snore?”

“Snore? What is snore, Dr Treacher?”

He clapped his hands in child-like glee.

“I’m pleased to learn that there is at least one gap in your English. I’ll tell you in the morning. And now I’m beginning to feel the strain of my first day in a new democracy, so, if you’ll excuse me, I’ll treat myself to a hot tub and then turn in.”

And with smile and a wave of the hand he made for the bathroom.