[Handing out the pamphlets was, it seems, a good icebreaker. The diplomats present had been staring curiously at the alien baby brought into their midst somewhat astonishingly until they were given something else to look at -- and they do indeed look at it briefly, murmuring approvingly all the while.
Once Saul speaks, however, he has their full attention. It is a courtroom of an entirely different sort, but one thing remains static: all eyes are on the speaker. When it has become clear that he has finished, a young woman takes the microphone.]
Before we attend to the business at hand, allow me to take this opportunity to welcome you to South Korea on the behalf of us all. We appreciate the urgency of your situation, and thank you for taking the time to speak with us personally. We hope that only good things will come of it, and that in the end, we will have a greater understanding of one another.
We also appreciate your provision of your own, independent research, and rest assured that we will be going over it once this conference has ended. In the meantime, we will ask to hear your answers directly from you. This will be... shall we say, supplementary material.
Surely, you understand our concerns about the drain that imPorts have been on the citizens of America. You are supplied with a sum of money on a regular basis, provided you maintain your status as Registered imPorts, are supplied with health care, housing, and all the amenities one needs in order to live a supported life. And while these were not the actions of all imPorts, of course, you have been a drain on their economy as America continues having to rebuild after the attacks struck by your people -- attacks that are distressingly frequent.
That is something to address at a later time, perhaps, but for now, we ask that you tell us of what you have brought to your host country, and the people that inhabit it. How do you believe that they have benefited from your presence, in ways both great and small?
no subject
Once Saul speaks, however, he has their full attention. It is a courtroom of an entirely different sort, but one thing remains static: all eyes are on the speaker. When it has become clear that he has finished, a young woman takes the microphone.]
Before we attend to the business at hand, allow me to take this opportunity to welcome you to South Korea on the behalf of us all. We appreciate the urgency of your situation, and thank you for taking the time to speak with us personally. We hope that only good things will come of it, and that in the end, we will have a greater understanding of one another.
We also appreciate your provision of your own, independent research, and rest assured that we will be going over it once this conference has ended. In the meantime, we will ask to hear your answers directly from you. This will be... shall we say, supplementary material.
Surely, you understand our concerns about the drain that imPorts have been on the citizens of America. You are supplied with a sum of money on a regular basis, provided you maintain your status as Registered imPorts, are supplied with health care, housing, and all the amenities one needs in order to live a supported life. And while these were not the actions of all imPorts, of course, you have been a drain on their economy as America continues having to rebuild after the attacks struck by your people -- attacks that are distressingly frequent.
That is something to address at a later time, perhaps, but for now, we ask that you tell us of what you have brought to your host country, and the people that inhabit it. How do you believe that they have benefited from your presence, in ways both great and small?