human
O.K. At this stage we need a Hero to unite North Africa, but this time we need a real super-Hero. In this modern age, the old style one won't do. We need one with education, and altruism, one with the dream, as you call it. We need a man who has no affiliations, no preferences for Tuareg, Teda, Chaambra, Dogon, Moor or whatever. He's got to be truly neutral. O.K., you're it. You're an American Negro, educated, competent, widely experienced. You're a natural for the job. You speak Arabic, French, Tamabeq, Songhai and even Swahili.
gpt
But there's one other thing that's possibly the most important of all. Homer, you're a born leader.
human
That's beside the point. There in Timbuktu you had them in the palm of your hand. All except one or two, like Doc Smythe and that missionary. And I have an idea even they'd come around. Everybody there felt it. They were in favor of anything you suggested. Isobel?
gpt
Yes. You have a personality that goes over, Homer. I think it would be a rare person who could conceive of you cheating, or misleading. You're so obviously sincere, competent and intelligent that it, well, _projects_ itself. I noticed it even more in Mopti than Timbuktu. You had that city in your palm in a matter of a few hours.
human
You might dislike the job, but it's a job that needs doing.
gpt
You think such a project would get the support of the various teams and organizations working North Africa, eh?
human
Practically a hundred per cent. And even if some organizations or even countries, with their own row to hoe, tried to buck you, their individual members and teams would come over. Why? Because it makes sense.
gpt
Actually, I've realized this, partially subconsciously, for some time. But I didn't put myself in the role. I ... I wish there really was an El Hassan. I'd throw my efforts behind him.
human
There will be an El Hassan, Abe said definitely.
gpt
And you can be him.
human
I think Abe's right, Homer.
gpt
There's just one thing, Homer. It's a long range question, but it's an important one.
human
Yes?
gpt
What're your politics?
human
My politics? I haven't any politics here in North Africa.
gpt
I mean back home. I've never discussed politics with you, Homer, partly because I haven't wanted to reveal my own. But now the question comes up. What is your position, ultimately, speaking on a world-wide basis?
human
I don't belong to any political party,
gpt
I do, Homer. I'm a Party member.
human
If you mean do I ultimately support the program of the Soviet Complex, the answer is definitely no. Whether or not it's desirable for Russia or for China, is up to the Russians and Chinese to decide. But I don't believe it's desirable for such advanced countries as the United States and most of Western Europe. We've got large problems that need answering, but the commies don't supply the answers so far as I'm concerned.
gpt
I see, Abe said. He was far, far different than the laughing, beatnik jabbering, youngster he had always seemed.
human
That's not so good.
gpt
Why not?
human
Because, admittedly, North Africa isn't ready for a communist program as yet. It's in too primitive a condition. However, it's progressing fast, fantastically fast, and the coming of El Hassan is going to speed things up still more.
gpt
Possibly twenty years from now the area _will_ be ready for a communist program. And at that time we don't want somebody with El Hassan's power and prestige against us. We take the long view, Homer, and it dictates that El Hassan has to be secretly on the Party's side.
human
I see. So that's why you shot at me in Timbuktu.
gpt
I didn't know you knew.
human
It just came to me. It had to be you. Supposedly, you broke into the mosque from the back at the same moment I came in the front. Actually, you were already inside. Homer grunted.
gpt
Besides, it would have been awfully difficult for anyone else to have doped that bottle of cognac on me. What I couldn't understand, and still can't, was motive. We've been in the clutch together more than once, Abe.
human
That's right, Homer, but there are some things so important that friendship goes by the board. I could see as far back as that meeting something that hadn't occurred to either you or the others. You were a born El Hassan. I figured it was necessary to get you out of the way and put one of our own--perhaps me, even--in your place. No ill feelings, Homer. In fact, now I've just given you your chance. You could come in with us--