by Phil Walker
He turned to the shower and opened the door. He turned the same kind of handle that was on the sinks. Water came flowing out from the ceiling and from three places on the side. “I have it just turned on a little to show you how it works,” said Cary, “but pull the handle back and you’ll get a lot of water. Again turn the handle to the left for hot water, and to the right for cold water. I’m not sure what you have heard, but getting completely wet is not bad for you. In fact, it’s very healthy. Most Americans shower at least once a day.”
They returned to the main bedroom. Cary opened the doors to the oak cabinet. Inside was a flat screen that was dark. Cary picked up the remote and handed it to William Gladstone. “Push the red button to turn it on.” Gladstone did that and a crystal-clear image appeared on the screen. “There are several channels from which to choose,” said Cary. “This one gives you a tour of Washington and all our attractions push the button on the side.” The picture changed to views of beautiful sights…canyons, great mountains, flowing geysers, Great Plains of wheat and corn growing. “If you watch this channel, it will give you a look at the sights you can see in America. Each of you can pick up to four destinations, and we will make arrangements for you to see them in person.”
He pushed another button, and a list appeared on the screen. This is the entertainment channel. It’s like going to see a play, only better. If you push the button on a title that interests you, an information screen will appear with the synopsis of the program. If you want to see it, there will be a button for that, and another to return to the list to pick something else. We also have a religious channel where you can hear the word of God, and the next four channels are music from classical to popular, American Style.”
“I think that covers everything,” said Cary. He looked at a watch on his wrist. It is now 11:30 AM. You are free to do whatever you like for the balance of the day. If you wish to visit anything in Washington, be my guest. You can get around easier by using the Metro. That’s an underground train that goes all around the city. The signs will show you the next stop. The closest Metro entrance is just outside the hotel, on the corner.”
Dinner at the White House is 5 PM. The buses will pick you up at 4:30. The dress for tonight is semi-casual. You will find clothing in your closets, a Blazer, short-sleeved shirt, no tie and dark pants for the men, a simple dress for the ladies. As you have already noticed, it’s a little hot. We want you to be comfortable.”
There was a knock as the door. “Perfect,” said Cary, “that will be your luggage. Enjoy yourselves, take a shower, eat a snack, take a nap, or take a walk. I’ll be back to get you at 4:30.” He left as a man came in with the luggage.
42
Washington, D.C.
The Gladstone family was in a state of shock. It was impossible to sort out the events of the past day. It was as if they had been magically transported to some kind of utopian paradise. William Gladstone sat down heavily on the couch and looked out at the sight of Washington. The clean lines and perfect symmetry of the great, stately buildings arranged around the central Mall, made London seem quaint and a little grubby.
In any case, he had no idea what to do first. “I’m hungry,” said Herbert. “Me too,” said Henry. As if their speaking had set off an alarm, an instrument on the service bar was ringing. Gladstone went over and looked at the instrument. It seemed to be some kind of communication devise. He picked up the receiver, and a voice spoke into is ear. “Greetings, Prime Minister, would you and your family care to have a light lunch?”
“That would be nice,” said Gladstone.
“We’ll be right up,” said the voice, and the earphone clicked. Gladstone returned the telephone to the receiver.
“William, come in here,” said Catherine. He got up and walked into the bedroom. Catherine had opened her suitcase and hauled out the clothes she found inside. “I’ve never seen such a collection of clothes such as these.”
“That dress looks very nice,” said Gladstone innocently. Charlene nodded, “Yes, it’s beautiful and made from a fabric that is like silk, but a little heavier. But, look at the rest of this.” She picked up a pair of jeans, “Do they honestly expect me to wear these? The very idea, pants for a woman. That’s outrageous.” She poked around the rest of the clothes. There were several very elegant blouses, some sort sleeve shirts both with buttons and without. Two pairs of shoes, one of which looked more like short boots. There was also some very odd lingerie. She handled the bra with curiosity, several pairs of undergarment pants that were soft and sleek. There was also another pair of pants, which cut off at the knees. She picked up a dark blue, one-piece garment that would only cover her body from neck to thighs. It stretched as she pulled on it. “I’ve no idea what this is.” The last thing she picked up was obviously a nightgown. “This is very nice. It’s for sleeping I think.” She sighed and started putting clothes in the chest of drawers.
As Catherine was busy with the clothes, there was a knock at the door. Gladstone opened it and found a pretty woman with a uniform at the door pushing a cart that was full of food. Gladstone made way for her and the girl pushed the cart to the table. She began setting out covered dishes around the table. The boys heard the commotion and came out of their room, stopping in their tracks when they saw the girl. She wasn’t just pretty she was ravishingly gorgeous. She was wearing a tight sweater with short sleeves that emphasized breasts that didn’t need it. Moreover, she was wearing a pair of those short pants. Her long legs went down to a pair of comfortable tennis shoes. She pretended nobody was watching.
When the table was set, the girl did a little bow and pushed the cart out with her behind it. The boy’s eyes were fixed on her behind. “Bon Appetite,” she said as she closed the door.
The family sat down and looked under the coverings. On two of them were round sandwiches that seemed to be filled with a piece of meat, with cheese on top. There were also long thin potatoes, and garnish of onions, lettuce, tomato slices, mustard and ketchup. “This must be for us,” said Henry lifting the top bun and starting to pile things on it. He tasted the mustard. It was spicy and tasty, so he put on quite a bit. There was salt and pepper on the table and they sprinkled that on their cheeseburgers, also. They dug in and soon were grinning as they ate.
Catherine had a plate of exotics fruits, some of which she didn’t recognize, but which tasted delicious as she ate them. There was also a bowl of cold cottage cheese.
William had a large ham sandwich with onions, cheese and green peppers. He also had a pile of chips that he nibbled and then ate enthusiastically.
There was a large pitcher of water with ice, and big glasses filled with a dark fluid. When the boys tasted that, they smiled. It was the same drink they had on the plane, only this was better.
When the meal was over, Catherine said, “It’s as if they knew what we liked to eat. Is that possible?”
“At this point I am beginning to believe anything is possible,” said William.
“We are going to go for a walk,” said Henry.
“Keep track of the time and be back in time to dress for dinner,” said their father.
Catherine explored the bath and looked at the shower. She really wanted to freshen up, but was worried about her hair. She went back to the living room and stared at the phone. There was a small sign on the phone that said, “Questions? Dial Zero.” She picked up the phone and pushed the button. A voice answered immediately, “Good afternoon,” said a women’s voice, “How can I help.”
“I am going to dinner tonight,” she started.
“To the White House, Mrs. Gladstone, and you want to look your best. I’ll bet you want to take a shower but are worried about your hair.”
“How did you know?”
“Yours isn’t the first call. Want some help?”
“Oh could you, I would be so grateful.”
“I’ll be right up.”
When Catherine came back to the bedroom, William was laying on the bed and watching the TV
with the highlights of America showing. “This the most comfortable bed I’ve ever laid on,” he said. “I was just looking at some of the wonders of this country. It will be hard to pick just four.”
“William, a woman is coming up to help me get ready for tonight. Would you mind watching that in the living room? I’m sure the screen has the same programs.”
“I can do that,” he said happily, “are you going to take a shower?”
“I am.”
“Then you can give me instructions on how it works,” he said going out of the room. He had gotten to the couch when there was a knock on the door. He opened it and a middle-aged woman was standing there. “Good Afternoon, Prime Minister, your wife called about some help in getting ready for tonight.”
“Yes, of course,” said Gladstone, “Come right in, Catherine is in the bedroom.”
The woman went to the bedroom and closed the door.
Gladstone resumed his tour of America and began to narrow down the choices. He definitely wanted to see a place called Yellowstone and see the mountains called the Grand Tetons. After that he was torn between the giant Sequoia trees, the big cave at Carlsbad, and Niagara Falls.
He walked to the bedroom door and could hear laughter inside the bathroom.
Catherine giggled at the experience of the wonderful shower spraying hot water at her from all directions. Her new friend, Grace, explained it all to her, and gave her the most wonderful shampoo and conditioner for her hair. Now she was sitting in a chair while Grace dried her hair with a blow dryer, and was using a curling iron to give here the most beautiful hairdo she’d ever had.
“Grace,” said Catherine, “I saw the most outlandish clothing in my luggage today. I don’t even know what some of it is. I certainly can’t imagine ever wearing pants.”
“You mean the jeans,” said Grace? “Honey, I’ve got to tell you they are the most comfortable clothes you’ll ever wear. You’ll see a lot of women in America wearing them.”
“Really,” said Catherine, “and what about those pants cut off at the knees. Our server for lunch was wearing them.”
“There called shorts,” said Grace, “In case you haven’t noticed, it’s kind of hot and humid around here. It’s even worse down south, and out in the desert in the west there’s not much humidity, but the temperature is as much as 120 degrees. You’ll be happy to shed your clothes along with your modesty when you get out in that weather.”
“We are overwhelmed with what we have found in America. You have great wonders. Are the people all as happy as they seem?”
Grace looked Catherine right in the eyes. “We are blessed by God. Every day for us is a miracle and we never forget to say thanks to the Lord. For us, the life of Jesus was an example we all try to copy. We get it wrong all the time, but that doesn’t keep us from holding the love of Christ in our hearts. The fact is we’ve kept the world at arm’s length for a reason. We wanted to build the kind of society the rest of the people on earth will want to join. You tell your husband to listen to Charlie Gallagher he has a wonderful plan.
Catherine Gladstone came out of the bedroom with Grace, wearing her dress for the evening and looking beautiful. William jumped up and said, “My dearest, you look like a dream.”
“Thank you, I couldn’t have managed without Grace.” The two women hugged each other and Grace left.
“Come along, stinky, I’ll show you how the shower works.”
Gladstone enjoyed his shower so much he didn’t want to get out, but he finally did, and Catherine showed him how to work the hair dryer. He liked the way his hair turned out. Catherine told him a lot had to do with the shampoo and conditioner. He found deodorant in the medicine cabinet, and stared for several minutes and what appeared to be a razor. He found a can that said shaving cream and pushed a button and a lot came out. He used the razor and was dumbfounded at how easy it was, without a single nick. He finished up with some after-shave lotion that smelled wonderful. When he came out of the bathroom, Catherine had laid out his clothes for the evening. When he put them on, he decided he liked the way he looked. Catherine said he looked very nice.
As they were congratulating themselves, the boys came rushing in with stories of the view from the top of the Washington monument and the marvelous Metro. “It’s an underground train, father. It was so much fun.”
“I’m glad you enjoyed yourselves. Now you just have time to shower and dress for dinner, so off you go.”
Apparently the shower was not the mystery to the boys it was to their parents, although William had to show them the hair dryer. In record time, they were clean, dressed and ready for the big evening.
At exactly 4:30 there was a knock at the door and Cary was there to collect them for dinner. He was dressed as they were, but his blazer was green.
They flowed through the hotel, greeting smiling people as they went. Apparently, the rest of the Europeans had enjoyed their afternoon as much as the Gladstone’s and were laughing and in good humor as they rode down on the elevators, and boarded the buses. Gladstone spotted Kaiser Wilhelm and hardly recognized him without the beard. “Your highness, you look so different, I hardly recognize you.”
“It’s those marvelous razors,” said the beaming Kaiser, “I had a fellow come to help me with the shower, he speaks fluent German, and said he thought I would look better without a beard. I told him I hated the beard but my skin is so tender I can’t shave every day, without nearly bleeding to death. Then he cut off my beard, put a lotion on my face and shaved me with that new razor. I feel wonderful!”
“You do look handsome and much younger, “said Gladstone.
“That’s what my wife said,” laughed the Kaiser.
It was a noisy, happy bus winding its way with the other buses like a conga line in the hot afternoon in Washington headed for the White House. The buses pulled through the gateway and the expansive lawns surrounding the Executive Mansion and came to a stop at the South Portico.
Not standing on ceremony, President Gallagher, and his wife, Emily with the faithful First Pet, a large beautiful collie, named Kodiak greeted each of the guests in their own native language. The assigned guides led their charges on a small tour of the White House before taking them to the big ballroom where round tables for eight had been set up. Cary led the Gladstone’s to their table somewhere near the middle of the room.
They were soon joined by Leopold II, King of Belgium his wife, Marie, 12-year-old Louise, and six-year-old Stephanie. Gladstone knew the King and rose and bowed, introducing his family in the process. Fortunately, Leopold spoke good English, so his guide did not need to translate. The King seemed to be in a very reflective mood, but was pleasant, as was his wife, who was quite happy. They all sat down. Cary and the other guide said they would be back to get them after the evening dinner and program, and left the room. Gladstone could see the other guides doing the same.
An orchestra was set up at the end of the room, and President Gallagher, came out on the platform to the microphone. “I hope you all found your rooms to be comfortable and your afternoon enjoyable.”
There was loud applause to this, and Gallagher breathed a sigh of relief inside. The first step was a success. Not only that, but the crowd seemed to be in very good spirits. He knew jet lag was going to catch up with them all in just a couple hours, and had planned the evening to end early. He smiled and said, “Before dinner is served, it is our custom to thank the Lord.” He closed his eyes, put his hands together and prayed, “Heavenly Father we thank you and praise you for allowing us all to be together here tonight. We ask your blessing for our meal. We are your children in the universe of your creation, and thank you for your eternal love. In the name of Jesus, we pray, Amen.”
There was a chorus of Amens through the audience, and, almost immediately a swarm of wait staff came pouring into the room, and the orchestra began to play.
Gladstone wondered what the meal would be and was very pleasantly surprised to find it was Prime Rib, somewhat rar
e, with a big potato, smothered with butter, and asparagus with béarnaise sauce. It was his favorite meal. He looked around the table and saw the looks of satisfaction on the faces of all the people. Each had a different meal, but it appeared to be their favorites as well. Gladstone glanced around the room and saw a very wide variety of foods were being served. The Prime Minister was smart enough to realize that all of this was by design, and he shook his head in admiration for the intelligence services of the United States.
The music being played by the orchestra was definitely up-tempo and foreign to Gladstone but he enjoyed it very much. The rest of the people in the ballroom seemed to feel the same. They were tapping their feet, and the youngsters were clapping their hands. They had no idea they were listening to a carefully chosen program of music Arcadia had selected herself, and represented the very best melodies and songs from a hundred years before Arcadia was even born. It was filled with the happy music that was typical of Walt Disney productions. Every few songs vocalists or groups came out and sang a song or two. They had lovely voices and the harmonies were flawless.
As pleasant and enjoyable as the entertainment was, Gladstone suddenly felt very tired. Almost on cue, President Gallagher came back to the microphone. “I hope you enjoyed your meal and the music,” he said, “The fatigued feeling most of you are experiencing now is caused by the big time change you had in coming here from Europe. That’s why we scheduled dinner so early and are going to call it an evening now. Tomorrow, breakfast will be served from 6:30 until 9 AM in the restaurant at your resort. Our plans for tomorrow include a tour of Washington beginning at 10, when you will board your buses. Until then, I wish you a pleasant night’s sleep and once again sincerely welcome you to America. Good evening.”
Gallagher bowed and left the room. The guides flowed back in and escorted their families back to the buses. The trip back to the resort hotel was short and Cary made sure the Gladstone’s got safely to their rooms. He thanked them, and said good night.