The Foreign Service Journal, October 2008

had staged a coup. Upon taking over the presidential palace they issued a statement, which read: “The Pala- varian people have had enough of the complications brought about by inde- pendence and freedom. We have heard our people speak, and what they want is a return to simpler times. Today, we give them what they want.” Then, as news cameras rolled, the coup leaders formally rescinded Pala- varia’s independence vote and de- clared the country to be, once again, a colony. The three of us were in shock. Wordless, we stared at the screen, shaking our heads. “Unbelievable. Just unbelievable,” Pat mumbled, reaching for her cell phone. She start- ed walking away slowly. “Hello there! Yes, it’s me, Pat. Say, is that Baghdad job still open?” Eleanor’s phone rang. “Hello? Rodrigo, my love! Where are you? What? Dulles? You have to go back? Be with your family? Wait! You’re married?!” She hung up the phone with disgust. “Well,” she said, hitting her speed dial button. “I hear Madrid is lovely this time of year. Juan, mi amor! I’ve missed you so much!” I went back to the testing room where Sammy was waiting with the same look of ennui he had affected every day in class. “Have you seen the news?” he asked. “Yes, just now.” “This world is full of fickle, crazy people. They don’t appreciate what they have until it’s gone.” He paused. “I guess this means there’s no job for you back in Palavaria?” “Sadly, it looks like that’s the case.” “That’s too bad. In any case, you’re now officially a 5/5 Palavarian speak- er. Congratulations. You’re off lan- guage probation.” Sammy smiled. “Yeah, I figured as much,” I said with a grin. “Thanks, Uncle Sammy.” “Don’t mention it, my boy.” I suddenly realized what this meant for Sammy. “Wait a minute. This means you’re probably out of a job too!” “Don’t worry about me. I’ll find something. In fact, I hear they’re hir- ing at Quiznos.” Sammy lowered his voice, “But don’t tell anyone!” n O C T O B E R 2 0 0 8 / F O R E I G N S E R V I C E J O U R N A L 51 The three of us were in shock. Wordless, we stared at the TV screen, shaking our heads.