>>5335600On second thought, you still have something to say to Risonha. Julia manually re-dials, and Risonha's rancher brogue greets you once again.
"Is something the matter, your excellency?"
"I just want to tell you to focus on the smuggled weapons, for now. We'll deal with the 'Soleil' matter and the Interfed later - as well as the agitator."
"Okie dokes, your excellency!"
You close the line, and tell Julia to ring up another - this time, the Paneira branch office of Log Inc., the multinational lumber corporation based in Bordec.
An overly friendly voice greets you. "Well if it isn't President Chainsaw Sam himself! How may I help you, Mr. President?" The recognizable voice of Anton Micudi, Branch Director can be heard.
"Hey, Anton. I suppose you've heard of the ecocult protests?"
"Ah, yes. Terrible stuff. Buncha crazies, if you ask me." Anton's tone is rehearsed.
"Still, they've got a point that rings true to our bottom line - that of us running out of jungle to cut, eventually."
A momentary pause, perhaps out of surprise. "They do make a point, don't they? I don't suppose you have an idea?"
"Why yes. Tell me, are you familiar with the process of replanting forests?"
Another momentary pause, but apparently caused by gears turning in his head. "Gee, I dunno, Sam, the profits..."
"Tell you what, I'll reimburse the costs if you went ahead with the reforestation. Hell, I might toss in something extra. It's a win-win-win."
A chuckle, halfway rehearsed. "Son of a bitch, I'm in! I'll let the bean counters hash out the details."
"Oh, and another thing, I want to do talks between the protesters and a representative of the logging industry..."
"Say no more, Sam! I'll send a delegate. Pleasure doing business with you!"
Good, that's one end taken care of. The line terminates, and you quickly order an official to be dispatched to Samoros to invite the protest leaders for talks in the capital.
Soon enough, you receive word that the protesters will send their representatives as soon as possible - and indeed, a couple days later you find yourself on the set of the national television company with the protest leaders and Log Inc's representative. Based on the amount of cameras and microphones in the studio, it's not just Paneiran journalists that are covering this event. International eyes are on you, now.
>How should you start the discussion?>□ Ask the concerns of the logging industry>□ Ask about the motive of the protesters>□ Open with a statement about the importance of this talk>□ Other (fill in) 