Saving Fish from Drowning - Heal Burma

SAVING FISH FROM DROWNING
“What I mean is, that’s not possible because I spoke to her just
yesterday.”
It was now Bennie’s turn to be thoroughly confused. “You spoke—”
“On the phone. She called and asked that I should change the date
of your entry into Myanmar and meet her here today.”
“She called about the border permits?”
“Yes. She gave specific instructions. Everything is approved. But
we need to make sure your papers match. Oh, and now I will have
to make a slight change and remove her name. For that, I’ll need to
make a phone call....”
Bennie’s confusion transformed into unquestioned joy. Obviously
this Walter fellow had spoken to Lulu, or possibly someone in San
Francisco. Bennie had sent a fax to the travel agent. Since everything
had been referred to as the Bibi Chen group, Walter must have be­
lieved he was talking to the original tour leader. Well, it didn’t mat­
ter now, did it? They had the permits! This was fantastic. Whoever
did this was a genius! (I was pleased to hear such flattery.)
“Do you need anything else so you can add my name?” Bennie
asked.
“No, it’s all settled. We added your name when we received the
fax. I had assumed you were an addition and not a substitution. So
everything there is quite all right.” Walter stopped and sighed. When
he began again, he sounded quite distressed. “Mr. Bennie, I apolo­
gize for asking, this is most inappropriate, but did Miss Chen give
you the Christmas present she brought for me?”
Flummoxed. Bennie thought fast. This was obviously some kind
of under-the-table payment. How much money did the man want?
He hoped the man didn’t require it to be in Chinese money. “Miss
Chen did mention the present,” he ventured, trying to be tactful.
“But tell me again specifically what she said she would give you. Was
it in dollars?”
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