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The dinner bell chimed. Before the president came out, a beautiful black woman wearing a silver sequinned dress sang an acappella rendition of the national anthem. Everyone stood and put their hands on their hearts.
Then, amidst blaring trumpets, the president arrived with his wife and two young daughters, both just a little older than Tom’s. He made a short welcome speech and people resumed their seats as waiters brought the first course of oysters. To Tom’s amusement they were Sydney rock oysters, declared in the menu as the best oysters in the world. Paul lifted one in the air and toasted Tom silently, and they both smiled and slugged them back.
Between courses Tom made his way over to Paul’s table. What table here isn’t a power table? Tom thought, looking around at congressmen, s
