The candy-apple red sports car roared up to the border checkpoint between Tilapia and the UPE, switching from the right side of the road to the left in the designated zone just before it did so. The Eutopian border official went through the typical routine with the latin man in the drivers seat, even checking him against the wanted posters recently issued by the MIDA. The driver handed over a valid Tilapian passport and a few papers stapled together. A Spanish steel guitar band was playing softly over the radio, and a latin woman's voice rang gently through.
"Destination?"
"Eutopia City, senor."
"Purpose?"
"I'm an aide to the Tilapian Ambassador there."
"How long will you be staying?"
"This time? A few days, a week at the most. It depends on what he needs."
The border official checked the passport and officially stamped Ambassador's papers, and then handed them back to the driver.
"Enjoy your stay in the United Provinces of Eutopia, Per Alejandro."
"Thank you Officer...I shall" the latin man said, placing the documents in his glove compartment and pulling away from the checkpoint. As soon as he was out of earshot, he hit a button on his stereo system, and switched to The Black Eyed Peas CD "Elephunk". He started to sing along and bang on his steering wheel as he pulled into the rental car lot just over the border where his ride was waiting.
"I don't fear none of my enemies/
And I don't fear no bullets from Uzis..."
* * * * *
"Gracias...glad you came to pick me up."
"Well, your ride to the Embassy won't be nearly as nice as the one you're leaving here" said an Embassy clerk as he tossed the keys to the latin man. Another man who had been with the clerk got into the car Alejandro had brought with him and took it back over the border.
"It almost breaks my heart to see that thing drive away..." he said, placing the earplugs for his iPod into his ears. "Lets get to the Embassy, por favor."
* * * * *
The not-safe-for-radio version of "Lets Get It Started" had just come on when the latin man entered the Embassy. The clerk had gone off in a vain attempt to find a parking space.
He was a curious miss-match, dancing down the hallway of the Tilapian Embassy to a tune playing loud enough for the rest of the staff to hum along. He wore his long dark hair back in a tight ponytail, and his goatee was neatly trimmed. His suit was a double-breasted classic charcoal gray, a cut made popular by a certain retired President not long ago. His white collared shirt was unbuttoned at the collar, showing off just a little more of his tanned skin. His smile was vibrant and bright, his enthusiasm infectious. He pulled up short at the Ambassador's Secretary's desk.
"Vincenzo..." she said warmly, meeting his eyes a moment and then looking away. "So nice to see you again..."
"And you too, Maria. I'll be in town a few days, maybe you'd like to go get dinner sometime? If you're not too busy working, that is..."
"I think I can pencil you in" she said with a devious grin. "You should go on in, Ambassador Paolos has been expecting you."
"Gracias Maria, gracias." Vincenzo Alejandro took out his earphones and tucked his iPod into a pocket, then gathered up his battered looking briefcase and ducked into the Ambassador's Office.
* * * * *
"What's with the hair?" asked Paolos, with a half-smile.
"I thought you'd like it...here's the latest. Might I say, I do fantastic work. Stereo surround sound, if you want, all marvelously compiled and assimilated." He dropped a folder onto the Ambassador's desk, then dropped himself into a leather chair. "Don't suppose I could have a drink?"
"Your usual?" Paolos said, opening the liquor cabinet.
"Of course..."