“Once Abner arrives, I will get him ready to join the ranks of the Chestnut Foundation and begin to establish his reputation, not as an organizer but as a recent graduate of Northwestern University, and of course, a fighter for social justice,” Hank asserted.
Simon asked the others to give some thought as to how to plan a senatorial campaign, in addition to spending their time to prepare the assignments.
They needed to begin preparations for the U.S. Senate race in Illinois in 2004.
12
THE GROOMING YEARS
On a Monday morning at O’Hare Airport, a relatively peaceful travel day with a modicum of passengers floating about the terminal, Hussein Tarishi arrived.
Hank’s face beamed as he saw Hussein walk briskly through the doors, after declaring nothing, as instructed, when he passed by the customs officials. He was carrying only a single green, army-issue duffel bag over his right shoulder, where he had tucked all his personal treasures.
Both were tremendously thrilled, acting as though they were meeting a long-lost family member or a dear old friend. They embraced with a two-sided Italian hug and a kiss on each cheek as Hank welcomed Hussein to Chicago.
Hussein chatted excitedly, especially about how easy it was to go through immigration with his new U.S. passport. “It’s already starting to feel like home!” he exclaimed.
Simon had specifically arranged for the direct Delta Airline flight from Rome to Chicago, bypassing New York. He knew the U.S. Immigration and Customs officials at O’Hare had a reputation for being less restrictive than the point of entries on the East Coast, not that he had any concerns. He knew Hussein’s documentation was flawless.
Hussein, unaware of the existence of La Fratellanza, never thought to question his new passport. He trusted and admired Hank, and it was of no importance, as long as he was able to come to America.
—
Hussein’s new home consisted of a small one-bedroom apartment on the South Side near La Fratellanza’s office, and away from the neighborhoods organized by the Chestnut Foundation. An apartment Hussein assumed Hank was paying for as well. They walked up the three stories and Hank extended to Hussein the pleasure of opening the door to his new home.
They entered a rectangular living space where directly ahead was a sofa and a small coffee table stationed in front. On the left of the room were two side-by-side bookcases and a large desk with a laptop and printer situated on top. At the far end of the room was a small round dining table with two chairs. The kitchenette took up the remaining wall space. The one door led to the bedroom, with a double bed, dresser, and bathroom. The only windows were over the dining room table and the dresser in the bedroom. Both overlooked the alley below.
By U.S. standards, it was modest; by Hussein’s it was luxurious.
—
During the first few weeks, Hank encouraged Hussein to tour the streets of Chicago to get a feel for the city. The first few days Hank accompanied Hussein, to orient him to the different neighborhoods in and around Chicago, and to explain how to best utilize the public transportation system. However, Hank first decided to show him the best Chicago had to offer and started with downtown, aptly named the Gold Coast. Hussein, dazzled by the tall buildings, also marveled at the opulence of Chicago’s “Magnificent Mile,” the famed street that runs the length of Michigan Avenue from Lake Shore Drive to the Chicago River. Moreover, he was in awe of the people who paraded the streets.
“This is what power can bring you,” Hank assured Hussein, as he watched Hussein’s eyes darting about.
“You really believe one day I could live like this?”
“With a lot of hard work and effort on your part, you could.”
The next day Hank introduced Hussein to other neighborhoods nearby on the South Side. It was no coincidence that Hussein’s apartment was located on Fifty-Second Street, in Hyde Park, near not only the University of Chicago, but also only a few neighborhoods away from some of the most impoverished. Hussein liked what the Gold Coast had to offer, but now, wandering about on his own, he spent most of his days roaming the streets of Englewood and New City, referred to as “Back of the Yards.” Hank thought it beneficial for Hussein to see firsthand the neighborhoods and the people he would one day be working with to help improve their lot. In those areas, many projects were under way, directed by the Chestnut Foundation.
“When you venture out on your own, please wear a baseball cap and sunglasses, and speak to no one,” Hank cautioned.
“Why all the undercover stuff?”
“It will make sense to you soon, I promise. Just trust me for now.”
“For now.” Hussein smiled.
Those first few weeks Hank and Hussein occupied their days with various activities, and in the evenings they would entertain each other with lively discussions, mostly about community organizing. Naturally, they were still chess rivals. After many nights, countless discussions, and numerous games, both in Florence and in Chicago, the level of trust and friendship had heightened between them.
Almost two months to the day of their first introduction, Hussein confirmed his desire to remain in Chicago and work for Hank’s organization. That night, Hank e-mailed La Fratellanza and informed the group that he was ready to move Hussein to the introductory phase.
—
The following day, Hank, believing Hussein was ready to hear the partial truth, sat down with him and explained that a group of wealthy executives was aware of his incredible accomplishments in Florence.
“Actually these men sent me to Florence to meet you and evaluate your potential. They also provided you with the U.S. passport, airline ticket, and the apartment,” Hank explained. “I didn’t set out to deceive you, and during the time we had spent together in Florence, I truly felt we had become friends,” he offered apologetically.
In the back of Hank’s mind, he recalled how upset he was when he discovered Simon’s deceit, and hoped Hussein did not share those feelings.
“I am extremely grateful, first that my talents are recognized and, second, for the opportunity to be in America,” Hussein insisted, adding, “and for your friendship, of course.”
Hank smiled with immense relief, and continued, “These powerful men would like you to learn about the political, social, and inner workings of the U.S., and possibly one day run for political office.” Watching Hussein’s expression, he carefully explained, “These men believe the American people are desperate for a new face among their politicians, a person with the talent to make real changes in our social policy. They deemed that you can bring about the kind of transformation the voters are looking for in their government.”
Hank then took that opportunity to jog Hussein’s memory. He reminded him about their nightly discussions in Florence and how, at times, he showed a desire to run for political office one day. Inwardly, he also took pride in knowing those thoughts were the result of the seeds he had planted in Hussein’s mind during their time together. He informed Hussein that his supporters also believed a law degree was an essential qualification for any political office he might want to hold, and they would pay his full tuition when he was ready.
“For that reason, you will need to study the personalized course work that will be constructed to prepare you for acceptance to law school. And at the appropriate time, I will also involve you in some of the activities at the Chestnut Foundation.” Hank urged him to take sufficient time to absorb the enormity of the situation. He told him there would be time later to sketch in all the pertinent information.
Hussein staring in disbelief, paralyzed by the depth and magnitude of how quickly his life was changing, murmured, almost in a trancelike state, “I can’t believe all this is really happening! Is all this possible, or am I dreaming?”
“Yes, it is possible, highly probable, but you’ll have to be fully dedicated. We have only one year to prepare. There is no doubt in my mind that you are not only up to the task, but you will also make us proud!”
; “You’ve seen how fast I can read and absorb the information. All you need to do is teach me what I need to know and how to use what I’ve learned.” Hussein assured with the utmost seriousness.
“It will be hard work and will require you to study day and night.”
“Who are these men? Why are they doing this?” he asked, still trying to grasp the situation.
“They wish to be anonymous, and their motives are not your concern. Just accept that they want to give you an opportunity to make a major contribution to society. Hussein, you must not question our methods, only trust that we are looking out for your best interests,” Hank affirmed.
Thus far, Hank was pleased as to how the conversation had progressed, but he had another difficult obstacle to overcome. He now had to convince Hussein that for him to carry out the strategy and one day run for elective office, he’d need a new identity. Hank encouraged him not only to accept a new persona, but also to take the opportunity to embrace a totally new way of life.
Somewhat surprisingly, it wasn’t a difficult sell.
Hussein’s short time in Chicago had given him an insatiable thirst for the opportunities available to him, and he wanted to drink in all it had to offer.
“I have no problem changing my name, if it means I’ll become an American.”
“Great! Because the new name selected for you is Abner Baari. It was our first choice after much contemplation.”
Hussein grimaced slightly, but Hank thought it was a natural reaction.
“How did they choose the name?” he asked curiously.
“Abner was the first cousin of Saul in the book of Samuel and the commander-in-chief of Saul’s army. One member of the group was into religious studies and thought the name conveys power and leadership, something a person looks for in a politician. Your surname came from John and Sara Baari, who were real people. Unfortunately, they died in an automobile accident.”
Hussein repeated the name several times, letting it roll over his tongue. Moments later he asked, “It suits me, no?”
“Yes, it suits you.” Although, Hank thought, It does suit him, but with the accent, no.
The time had arrived, now that they had settled the issue of the name, to fill Hussein in on his new family history and his life up to the point of his graduation from Northwestern. Hank slowly delivered the bio, and after careful thought, Hussein accepted not only his name but also his family history, educational background, and new life, with all that it offered.
“I desperately want to live in this country, and one day I want to achieve real power,” Hussein said with total confidence. “Hank, I see what you have accomplished and I want the same and more.”
Hank smiled—there was no more to say.
—
Abner spent a considerable amount of his time in his three-story walk-up studying the course material supplied by La Fratellanza and instructed by Hank, but the second priority, the removal of his foreign accent, was more difficult to manage. He needed to replace his accent with a nondescript manner of pronunciation, and he’d need to develop a slight Kansas twang for good measure.
Abner would also need to learn American mannerisms, business etiquette, and the core essentials to become a suitable political candidate. While his oratory skills were exceptional, they still required a bit of refining, especially when working with a teleprompter.
The risk of bringing in outsiders was great, but in this instance, La Fratellanza had no alternative. None of the group members were skilled in speech-language pathology. Moreover, all agreed that none of them had the skills of an etiquette coach. Most important, aside from Hank, none of them were to meet Abner, certainly not during the grooming stage.
Therefore, Simon arranged for two coaches to work with Abner on a daily basis, but they were not in Illinois, where Abner would eventually run for public office. He had to cross state lines and take his weekly sessions in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
The next obstacle was to change his appearance with a disguise that wouldn’t raise suspicion.
When Hank met Abner at the airport a month earlier, he had looked like many of the student radicals of the sixties Hank had seen, and had been a part of, on campus. His Afro and menacing goatee gave him the appearance of a campus radical, so one of Hank’s first acts was to have his hair cut and his goatee shaved.
However, for the purpose of Abner’s elocution and etiquette lessons, he disguised himself again to look like a student. He put on the Afro wig over his closely cropped hair and added a pair of thick black-rimmed glasses. However, this time he was clean-shaven. The glasses gave Abner a rather studious look, and sufficiently disguised his gentle face. Hank thought it was necessary to conceal his identity and prevent any of the tutors from making a connection between Abner and the future senator.
“I look like a guy named Hussein,” Abner smirked.
“Well, for the purpose of introduction to your new tutors, your name is Kenyth.”
“Hank, I’m starting to feel like I’m in a witness protection program. It will be my fourth name this month, including the name on my passport!”
“Remember, you agreed to trust me!”
“Say no more.” Abner surrendered.
—
Abner worked diligently for three months, studying constantly and practicing what he had learned with Hank. He not only managed to drop his foreign accent, but also became comfortable in the ways of an American “gentleman.” He was an excellent student in every way. His mind was like a sponge, absorbing the words and concepts from his lessons and from the pages of his books. He was always standing by waiting anxiously for the next influx of information.
Occasionally, Hank would test him in others ways and call him Hussein, only to be quickly rebuked, “My name is Abner Baari.”
Hank believed Abner was now ready to perform some fundamental organizing activities for his foundation by day, as part of his training, and continue to be homeschooled at night. La Fratellanza agreed and Hank proceeded to the next step.
He continued to work closely with Abner, teaching him all aspects of community organizing, and eventually allowed him to apply what he had learned by giving him special projects to work on, on his own.
Hank revealed that two years earlier the Chicago mayor announced a $256 million revitalization plan to improve the infrastructure of the South Side neighborhood of Englewood. It was where the most impoverished live, was predominantly African American, and it had suffered from chronic high unemployment and an elevated crime rate. Since the mayor’s pronouncement, there had been little progress, and it was clear that it would be up to those affected to find a solution that would force the elected officials to make good on their promises.
“Unfortunately, the residents and groups within the community have no history of effecting social change through community organizing. This is where you come in. I want you to work with the community leaders and teach them the tools of the trade.”
“Thanks, Hank. I’ve been waiting months for an opportunity,” Abner replied. “I promise I won’t disappoint you.”
Within four months, Hank was able to report to the other members of the group with pride that Abner had aced his assignment, as well as all the other organizing activities he had thrown his way.
Abner was more than meeting their expectations.
—
Hank saw firsthand what he already knew. Abner was a natural and learned how to run community organizing drives with better skill than himself, which he reluctantly admitted to the others. He was feeling like a proud father, and focused on the day when Abner would become president, and the dutiful son would ensure Hank’s social agenda became the major plank in the president’s platform. He personally felt the current administration was off course and needed a more liberal social strategy, and Abner, the Chosen One, was needed to bring about the necessary changes.
While Hank continued to spend days with Abner on the streets, he spent evenings grilling him on the endless lessons prepar
ed by La Fratellanza. Actually, it became quite a pleasant routine for both of them. Hank simply had to direct the lessons. Abner absorbed the information from his books and tutorials, and Hank corrected his tests and challenged him orally. Most satisfying were the discussion sessions on each of the subjects. Hank grasped most of the concepts—Abner grasped them all.
As promised, Chase prepared lessons on finance, global economic theories, and the banking industry, following the course structure from the Northwestern syllabus for political science majors.
Seymour held back on the presidential documentaries, but did include a course on the presidency, one of the requirements at Northwestern. His primary focus, though, was on the media, polling, and senatorial races, garnishing most of his knowledge from his research conducted while producing his 501(c)(3) “nonpolitical” political ads.
Paolo passed along lessons on geopolitical foreign policy derived from the many speeches he had penned, along with political theory, American government, and constitutional law courses, all of which he had taken himself.
Hank constructed the sociology course, and the race, ethnicity, and public policy course, adding them to the lesson plan, along with the on-the-job experience at the foundation.
Abner had been working fervently on his studies, all of which he mastered. His diction was free of accent, his oratory was erudite, and he had earned an outstanding reputation for his competence at the Chestnut Foundation and in the communities it served.
Abner was also accepted at the University of Chicago Law School, to commence in the spring semester of 2001.
At the end of the year, Hank felt like Henry Higgins of My Fair Lady, giving him a sense of empowerment. In his mind, he was becoming the creator of one of the most powerful men in the world.
13
THE MAKING OF A SENATOR
Brotherhood Beyond the Yard (The Simon Trilogy) Page 11