Chapter 47At the International Forum, Hiroshi took an earphone and read the printout of responsibilities. He found his name and where he’d been assigned. From his position just inside the wings of the stage, he could see about half of the audience, and all of the backstage area. Sakaguchi stood stoically on the other side. Hiroshi settled in for a long day of standing in place.
Diplomats of every description and rank, from every country in Asia, Europe and North America filled the hall, leaning over the plush seats, exchanging name cards, catching up with colleagues, their murmur and buzz echoing off the walls. The press had set up cameras on both sides of the stage waiting for the opening speech, the one Bernard Mattson should have been giving.
At least they were not outside, where poli
