The Cupel Recruits Read Online Free Page A

into one region so as not to be disruptive to the participants and guests. It took an hour and fifteen minutes to get through the introductions, presentment of the science team, presentment of the political team and presentment of the African stakeholders whose goal was to convey the difference this project would make in the everyday lives of the people in their country. Madame Secretary shot Lela a dissatisfied look, since the Governor’s speech was to begin one hour into the event, promptly at 10am. ‘How am I supposed to control exactly how long each of these people speaks?’ Lela thought to herself. She’d given them each their time limit. Beyond that, what was she supposed to do, go tackle them off the stage if they ran over? ‘Madame probably would have preferred that’ Lela thought. Glancing next to her brother as the sentiments of project importance continued, Gabriel gave her an unobtrusive wink from his chair in the science row to the left of the podium. Though he was facing the entire audience, it was so quick as to be almost imperceptible so Lela doubted anyone noticed.
    Next Madame Secretary took the podium to share her own thoughts on the project, smoothly veiling her real purpose of simply introducing the Governor.
    “The importance of this project to both the region and to the corporate sponsors cannot be minimized, “ she said with all the sugary sweetness of a salesman trying to seal a deal, “ and, I would like to add that this project is of such personal importance to me,” Madame breathed deeply and blinked back “tears”, “that I will forever be indebted, with unending gratitude,” she paused for effect and her voice shook slightly, “to all those that have worked so hard to make this a reality. To the science and political teams, to the real heroes, who have invested in the project by generously allocating their corporate sponsorship to help the world. I’d also like to acknowledge especially Mr. Jack Reedson who took time from filming his latest film, Thermopyle, to join us!” Madame Secretary shouted unnecessarily into the microphone. The crowd applauded, a large contingent in the rear of the seating area boisterously cheering. ‘Probably the ones who came just to see him’ Lela thought cynically.
    Jack Reedson rose halfway from his chair to Madame’s left, giving a perfunctory wave and wry smile. He was the least hammy actor Lela had ever seen and his sincerity in motive was evident during the planning stages of the project. He quietly put forth solid ideas among the scientists, careful to not invoke a “just an actor” rebuff from them. Over the long months, he had won their admiration and confidence with his subtle style. There was only one actor on the stage at that moment and it wasn’t Jack Reedson. When the crowd died down, Madame continued beaming and piling on the praise for various other project participants of value to her. ‘Where’s my shovel?’ Lela thought. Of course, no mention was made of Lela specifically. From Madame’s perspective, she’d been included when she had acknowledged “the science team”.
    “And finally, I’d like to acknowledge our most important visionary toward the success of this project, Governor Buck J. Jacob!” Madame clapped a slightly uplifted, exaggerated clap to encourage the crowd to applaud, which was unnecessary. The entire crowd, not just the rear contingent, was quickly on its feet and applauding at a deafening level that rivaled an NFL stadium. The beloved leader smiled and waved gently in a feeble attempt to quiet them. Behind him, his wife, Jillian, and four-year-old daughter, Phoebe, sat smiling, dressed conservatively in navy blue. Phoebe’s legs swung from the chair adorned with white patent leather Mary Jane shoes, completing the picturesque political family. The Governor’s unsuccessful concessions to the applauding crowd continued for 3 more minutes before the crowd would be seated, ready to gobble up his