The Foreign Service Journal, July-August 2006

“Waylon, do these official trips always have to be about you?” Mandi snapped. “There is absolutely nothing here for me to do, so don’t you go off and see the president of some country that doesn’t even have a Bennigan’s.” The congressman hesitated. Man- di cocked her arm on her hip, lowered her cat-eye sunglasses and raised a tightly-tweezed brow at her husband. “I guess Mandi’s right. Can’t really see the need to see the president — not really any connection ...” Miles’ handlebar moustache droop- ed with despair. Ardela glared at Mandi. “Maybe you’d like a Fanta from the terminal?” A mb. Vodel led the couple to his car. “Ah, one of these fancy ambassadorial vehicles,” the congress- man slapped the steaming hood. “So you’re out here living the high life in these luxury wheels the taxpayers get to pay for.” They got in the vehicle and slammed the doors. Rep. Wigenrath immediately began to pour sweat, his soggy shirt sticking to the molten vinyl. He tapped the driver on the shoulder, “Crank up the air conditioning there, Sparky.” The driver looked confused. “Apologies, missing a key part for the A/C,” Amb. Vodel said. “Nothing in the budget for it, but fervent hope for next fiscal year.” The congressman stared in disbe- lief and tried to roll down the window. “Not possible, unfortunately, with the bullet-proof glass.” “How far to the hotel?” he gasped. “Only hotel in town temporarily out of service,” the ambassador said. “Much-needed repairs and exorcism. Repairs on track, exorcismmore prob- lematic. No worries, though — plen- ty of room for you at my residence.” The car bounced down the deeply potholed streets, with the congress- man’s head slamming on the ceiling and getting redder and redder and Mandi’s wildly gyrating breasts threat- ening to burst free from her tank top. The ambassador rolled with the famil- iar bumps like an experienced jockey. He pointed out the window. “On your J U LY- A U G U S T 2 0 0 6 / F O R E I G N S E R V I C E J O U R N A L 41 Mandi’s hair stood straight out and her makeup had run down her face, giving her the appearance of a wet raccoon that had been electrocuted. Get Your Finances In Line With SDFCU Online You can depend on State Department Federal Credit Union for the ultimate in security and convenience with SDFCU Online banking. This FREE service allows you to access your Credit Union accounts via the Internet anytime, from anywhere in the world. Just go to www.sdfcu.org and click the SDFCU Online logo. You can conduct the following Credit Union business: Transfer funds between accounts Check current account balances View your account history over the last 15 months View check images View and pay your credit card bill online Pay Bills and much more!* See just how easy SDFCU Online is! Visit us at www.sdfcuonline.org and check out the easy demo! If you’re interested in becoming a member of State Department Federal Credit Union, give our Member Service Center a call at 703- 706-5000 , or outside the D.C. Metro area at 800-296-8882 . You can also email us at sdfcu@sdfcu.org . SDFCU Online puts us at your service, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, whenever you need us the most. Sign up today! *The Bill Payer service is available at no charge for Capital Club members. Otherwise, there is a low monthly fee of $3.95 for unlimited transactions.