2030_ The Real Story of What Happens to America - Albert Brooks [88]
“That’s exactly right. Here is a genius focused on one thing, longevity. But if a man that smart could understand the damage that that’s doing, he could change. I just know it. I feel it in my bones. The bones, by the way, that now can live to be a hundred and twenty fucking years old, thanks to him.”
At least Kathy knew that the man she loved wasn’t having an affair. But this idea sounded a bit crazy. Why would Sam Mueller all of a sudden denounce his life’s work? And what about the wall? She wanted to get it out in the open. Should she just bring it up? Oh, by the way, I was sneaking around your house and looked in the window and saw your Mueller wall. That wouldn’t work. Then she had an idea. “Can I stay at your place tonight?” Max was surprised. She had never really wanted to stay there before.
“Why? You told me my place smells like socks.”
“I just want to. I was sort of seeing my dad in everything today, and the house made me feel sad. I just want a change of scenery.”
“I have a better idea. Let’s take a drive and stay in a little motel. Just like an overnight vacation.”
What could Kathy say to that? She tried one last time. “But maybe snuggling up in your place would be fun. I haven’t slept there in ages.”
“My place is filthy. Let’s take a drive.”
“Okay.” At least they would spend the night together. She would find another time to ask about the shrine.
CHAPTER THIRTY
To get Chen Biao, the premier of the People’s Republic of China, to come to Camp David without raising suspicion was a formidable task. Not that presidents and Chinese premiers didn’t meet—they did—but the meetings were always planned in advance and were always tied to a bigger trip, something to do with climate or trade or a general peace mission. To tell the press that the premier of China would be coming to Camp David in two weeks had to be couched in some way that wouldn’t arouse suspicion. There had never been a visit by the head of China to Camp David, especially not one that came out of the blue.
The President’s press secretary, Elizabeth Foreman, and John Van Dyke, along with several other aides, worked for days to come up with a story. Van Dyke thought maybe a side trip for Biao could be arranged to Mexico and Canada to make it a North American visit, but the Chinese didn’t like that. Then Van Dyke came up with another idea, one that might be difficult to pull off: Don’t tell anyone. The Chinese were a little hesitant at first, but realized it was workable, and really, they loved this kind of mystery.
The one thing the Chinese premier would have to agree on was to be flown to the United States on an American craft. Surprisingly, there was no objection. The Chinese knew the plane couldn’t be Air Force One, but they wanted it to be special, which wasn’t a problem. The United States government had several smaller jets that were like flying penthouses. The one they sent to China was a pilotless Gulfstream, even newer and more advanced than what Sam Mueller flew, and certainly more opulent. And on this flight two Chinese pilots would ride along up front, even though there was nothing for them to do.
The Air Force prepared the inside of the plane to the exact specifications sent by the premier’s office. They supplied the entertainment and food that he liked, special sheets for the bedroom, special accommodations for his wife and his dog, a specific color scheme, a masseuse, a psychic, a trainer, and a feng shui expert. When the plane was all prepared it looked as if it belonged in the Chinese Air Force. And when it landed in Washington, no one suspected a thing. Just another private jet.
The plan was that it would land, taxi into a hangar, and, after the hangar door was closed, the Premier and his party would deplane. They would be transferred to a waiting helicopter and then take the short trip to Camp David. Since helicopters routinely made that run, bringing staff or friends of the president for a weekend stay, nothing would be made of it.