I can’t remember, it must be a very small country, like ours…
– Yes, it’s only a hundred and fifty million people.
The president laughed, taking it as a joke, then he looked closely at Kate and said:
– Everyone who comes to us is welcome, and are you a tourist?
– No, I’m more of a free traveler,» replied Kate, smiling.
– Well, that’s wonderful! – exclaimed the President, «We’ve been waiting for someone new, wouldn’t you like to head our Cabinet of Ministers?
– Me?“ Kate was taken aback, „but I somehow…
– Don’t be afraid, – the President went on, – don’t be surprised, for everyone is afraid of responsibility, we have four ministers and no Prime Minister, and I know that you can manage it, though you are very young, by the way, how old are you?
– Nineteen.
– Um…“ said the President, thinking for a moment, before continuing, „you see, our laws say that a Viplandian, who must be twenty-one, may be Prime Minister, but that’s all right.
– And I don’t know how,» Kate resisted weakly.
– Now…“ The President picked up the phone and dialed, „I want the Chief Justice, urgently!
– Oh, I’m afraid I won’t be able to,» Kate tried to deny it.
– You know, Kate, – the President sighed heavily, somehow he sank back in his chair, and even imperceptibly sobbed, – I have a daughter just like you… the same bangs… the same plaits… she dyed her hair black, said she was a Goth… went to parties at the cemetery, and then ran off with a musician abroad, and hasn’t been heard from again for a year.
After these words Kate could hardly hold back her tears, she felt terribly sorry for the good old man. She stood up and said:
– All right, I will be Prime Minister, and I will find your daughter! I promise!
Chapter 2
A fat man, as important as a penguin, entered the room. His sideburns jutted to the sides with dignity, his three chins shaking in time with his steps. He stopped and, lifting the first chin, exclaimed:
– The President of the Supreme Court has arrived at your behest!
– Well, here’s the thing,“ the President began, „a certain legal conflict has arisen…
– I am aware of it,» said the President calmly.
– What do you mean by that? – The President was indignant, – are you eavesdropping on me?
– It was the chief intelligence officer,“ the judge excused himself, „he said it was for your own safety…
– Take it all away at once,» said the president, and at once the men in black turtlenecks burst into the room, pulling the bugs out of every conceivable and inconceivable place.
– You see, they are too wild,“ the President said to Kate, „they eavesdrop on their breadwinner, and where did they get this silly fashion and these silly black turtlenecks from, in summer the whole country wears T-shirts and shorts, and they wear turtlenecks!
– The uniform of the special services has been approved by you,“ said the Chairman of the Supreme Court, „in autumn they will be provided with protective raincoats, and in winter…
– Enough! – The President interrupted him, – what will you say on this question, now that you are aware of it?
– I have the following to say on the subject,“ the judge looked up at the ceiling, „To change the law is to get it through Parliament, it’s easier to give her a Wyplandia passport with the proper age.
– Now that’s a case,“ the President patted him on the shoulder, „how much time do you need?
– Two days.
– Thirty minutes.
– That’s good.
– You see who we have to work with, – said the President when everyone had gone, – they’re already on their necks, I hope you’ll build them, I’m already old… I’m in my eighth term of presidency.
– Never mind, we’ll build them,» Kate assured him, smiling enigmatically.
The President laughed, hugged her and kissed her on the forehead.
****
Thirty minutes later the Chairman of the Supreme Court entered the room, carrying on a tray a passport and a certificate of the Prime Minister. Kate solemnly accepted all these documents, opened the passport and whistled in surprise.
– When did you have time to take my picture? – she exclaimed.
– It was the Chief of Intelligence, the camera worked at the entrance to the Presidential Palace, – said the Chairman nonchalantly, – and then they corrected it on the computer, in my opinion it turned out well.
– Next time tell me, – said Kate, – that I should at least comb my hair… and what kind of name is this – Catarina de Ross?
– I think it sounds good!
– Why, can I give orders now?
– According to the Constitution, you only answer to the President.
– Well, now hold on! – Kate said ominously, – he made a fool of himself, he made my hair look so stupid in the picture on my ID card… I’ll fire all the computer guys!
– Go get them! – The President laughed, – go ahead, Iron Lady, I didn’t even expect you to be so quick.
– You know, – said Kate, – I already like being the Prime Minister in advance…
– You bet you do…“ The President didn’t stop laughing, „Come on, I’ll introduce you to the bodyguard, we’ll have one for the two of us… as well as the limousine.
They left the Presidential Palace and approached the garage, which was locked. The president looked around puzzled and muttered: «Where in the world is he?». The bodyguard was found in the backyard, in a hammock, between two towering willows on the bank of a picturesque pond. He was snoring frankly, scaring away the butterflies that tried to sit on his nose.
– Dick, get up! – commanded the president.
The bodyguard twitched and fell out of the hammock. The president and Kate laughed involuntarily. The appearance of the red-haired, fat, good-natured lout did not tie in with the image of a formidable guard.
– Sorry, Mr. President, – he muttered, rising to his full height and shoving the holster with his pistol under his arm, – I did
