WE CONTINUE OUR PROGRESS
"Progress lies not in enhancing what is, but in advancing toward what will be."
Kahlil Gibran, "A Handful of Sand on the Shore"
Shane retrieved Kenya from its place in the British Commonwealth of nations, freeing it from any long standing obligations to the British. He sent a message to the Prime Minister and her Majesty that this was not a sign of frostiness between Kenya and England, only a desire to take our place in the world under our own volition. It paid off. In international newspapers came articles such as this one in a major global publication:
The increased interest in Kenya as a home of foreign direct investments follows recent rave reviews by business groups, the media and the United Nations as well as the country’s improved credit rating overseas. For example, at a recent World Economic Forum session in Cape Town, Kenya was ranked hot on the heels of South Africa and Tunisia in the league of countries with the best investment and innovation climate on the continent.
At third position, Kenya beat countries considered Africa economic giants, such as Mauritius, Egypt, Morocco, Libya, Algeria, Botswana and Namibia. Kenya’s status received a further shot in the arm when it was elevated by the UN from the league of least developed countries to that of swiftly developing ones.
At that point, Shane knew that he had the full support of the UN behind him. There were still families in the British Isles that had not lived in Kenya since the Mau Mau uprisings which lasted from 1952 to 1960. Yet these people were holding valuable and very large amounts of land with hired overseers maintaining them, the proceeds leaving Kenya and going to some well healed families in Britain. Shane issued an edict that no one could live out of Kenya and maintain plantations, farms or factories on Kenyan soil. This angered those that felt the sting of this law. They were given two weeks to return to Kenya and take over their holdings. Their passports would be monitored for length of stay. Many refused. Some out of arrogance, thinking it was a superfluous order from an animal that happened to be governing the country in an unfortunate upheaval of power. They did not know this particular animal and failed to grasp his character not having lived in Kenya for at least two generations. Shane gave them time to comply and when they failed to do so, he confiscated their land and parceled it to those in the vicinity who were struggling with small plots that produced slight gains. He formed cooperative bureaus so the government could aid those who knew little about large land management until they could grasp the idea and begin turning a profit. His next step was to plan an extensive trip abroad to woo a few key Asian and European nations to trade with us. He had already sealed a lucrative trading deal with the Arab Emirates in the gulf.
This is where I came in. I was to accompany him as was his wife. I dined with Ralph and Mildred Lyon. Our former president was jubilant at the progress Shane was making for Kenya.
“He’s on fire, Maury,” raved Ralph. “It must be that human he married. Bestiality agrees with him.”
“Ralph Lyon!" scolded Mildred. “THAT is disgusting.”
Betty’s recently published memoir was making a mint. This was her fourth book in a row to recently hit the best seller lists worldwide. She had to fly to New York and help further promote it. Pete was dismayed.
“I’ll only be gone a week, Pete. I have my own life I have to tend, may I remind you.”
“We were going to work on my itinerary for the final months before the elections. I need you here,” he groused.
“It’s just for a week; you can go with me to New York. It’ll do you some good. You need a little international polish,” she told him, adjusting the hem of his new Armani suit jacket.
“I can’t use campaign funds for a trip to New York,” he protested.
“Oh, hell, Pete, I use my own plane with my own gas to tote you around Tanzania. I guess I can put the money up for an airline ticket. You can pay me back when you get elected.”
“Yeah, that’ll be cool,” he agreed.
“Jack, I’m taking Pete to New York next week. I have to go there to promote my new book,” said Betty. “We can work on his itinerary there. He’s almost to the line finish now. Election day in Tanzania is hovering near.”
They were on the veranda of Jack Tarzan's new home, Lloyd Delamere’s former estate. The surrounding land had been parceled off and was being farmed by the Kikuyu and some animals that lived in the area.
“Are you getting involved with him, Betty?” he asked simply and quite unexpectedly.
“Only to the point of helping him get elected to the presidency of Tanzania. You know me, Jack, I also smell a book in the making,” she laughed. “Would you care if I got involved?”
“I probably would, Betty.”
She left that one hanging in the air and didn’t pick up its clarion call. She didn’t want to leap now and pay later if he should balk. This love for Jack was to be carried out slowly and with great aplomb and savored as such. She didn’t want to risk turning him off with her former vices of being too pushy and desperate. Oddly, she didn’t feel fraught any longer. She was actually enjoying life these days. She had four of her sons living with her on Leoparde Drive, the other two being in school in England. Wilda Wildebeest was living there too, her dear friend of long standing. Things were looking up for Betty in every way.
Betty, getting on with her life minus Shane....
Lewis Lyon and his wife, Gina, were dining with Shane and Alexandra one evening at the state mansion.
“Shane, I’ve gotten word that two major coffee factories are going under because the ones that you gave them to, can’t handle the deal. They’re on the market. Do you want to buy them with me?” asked Lewis. “They’re in the Rift valley near Alexandra’s. It would be a good thing. The original owners used and abused cheap labor - sometimes there were children working long hours. We can hire adult workers at a fair price and avoid any labor abuses. These that own the land now can continue to grow the coffee. We’ll just buy the factories at a fair price.”
“I don’t see where that would be a conflict of interest, Lew. I’ll ask your dad though,” answered Shane.
“I already have. You can call him too, but he believes it will be a good thing. It will enrich the new owners, preclude bad labor practices and of course, I am a pragmatic sort….make us even richer,” laughed Lewis.
Simba One lifted off the tarmac, heaving its great 747 Boeing bulk into the blue skies above Nairobi. I looked down at the red Kenyan soil. I wouldn’t see my Lachlan for almost three weeks. We were headed for Asia on the first leg of our official trip to promote trade and strengthen ties with those nations that already had trade agreements with us. I went forward to the executive cabin after greeting the media which included Jane Leoparde. Shane and Alexandra were laughing together and asked me to join them. This was to be a major junket and excitement ran high. Even the pregnant Alexandra was game and very excited.
I follow behind as Shane and Alexandra are welcomed by the Vietnamese.....
Shane worked diligently, taking time for those who mobbed him in North and South Korea, Japan, Indonesia and Viet Nam. He and Alexandra were a huge hit in Asia. He worked long hours, fine tuning trade agreements with those countries. After ten days, Simba One left Asia and headed for Brussels on the first leg of our European junket to accomplish the same thing with Belgium, Switzerland, Austria and Germany. It was in Brussels that Alexandra called me at midnight and asked me to come to their suite in the luxurious Metropole Hotel. She opened the door to their suite (which was near mine) and escorted me to where Shane lay collapsed on the floor but still conscious. He was suffering from the tell tale stomach pains that signaled one his very serious ulcer attacks. His Masai guards were kneeling next to him.
“Alex, I will be fine. I don’t want to delay or end this trip. I’m on a roll, please don’t stop me,” he managed to say between pained expressions with his paws grasping his midsection.
“Nonsense, Shane. I am calling the doctors whether you like it or not,” she told him and went to the phone.
I knelt by him and tried to effect a bit of soothing of my own. After a few minutes, Alexandra answered the door to find the hotel manager and two doctors standing there. She let them in and they got Shane to the bed and examined him. They called an ambulance.
When all was said and done, Frank Tigeres was summoned and flown to Brussels by Simba Two. Shane was taken to the Hospital Francais – Cesar de Paepe, said to be the best clinic in Brussels.
To make a long story short, Simba One took all, including Dr. Frank Tigeres and Shane (in a hospital bed) back to Kenya. Shane was mad as a wet hen but he had accomplished a great deal and gained even more praise in the news of the world. He was taken to the Exotic Animal Clinic in the Masai Mara among great outpourings of love and well wishing from the Kenyans.
The disgruntled Charlotte Elephanti ....
One Masai Mara resident wasn’t a fan of Shane Simba’s. Charlotte Elephanti’s sister had been arrested and heavily fined for killing several cows belonging to the Masai herdsmen. One would have to know that tribe to get a clear picture of how much they love their cattle, caring for each individually. Charlotte’s sister, Evelyn had proceeded to gore a few with her sizeable tusks. Charlotte had called Ralph Lyon one night, interrupting his soccer game on television.
“Ralph, darling,” chortled the elephant matriarch, “That upstart that has taken over your office at the State House, has arrested my sister.”
“If you’re referring to Shane Simba, Charl, he was duly elected after I retired. What did your sister do?”
“She gored a few obnoxious cattle that belonged to the Masai.”
“Charlotte, that’s not permitted. You know that. Those cattle are the livelihood of that tribe. Whatever did she kill them for? She’s not a carnivore.” inquired the former president.
“Years ago before you were president and changed everything; some Masai killed two of her sons who were messing about their bomas. You know us, Ralph, an elephant never forgets – or forgives. On top of that Evelyn has terrific PMS. She’s worse than Errol Elephant when he’s in musth.”
Ralph didn’t want to know about a female as large as an elephant with PMS. A lioness was bad enough with that particular affliction, was his thought on the subject.
“Charl, the President is still in the hospital but when he gets out, I suggest you speak with him. Is Evelyn still in the clinker?”
“No, that lion Bubba cop let her out on bail. He claimed she was too big for the cell. Imagine that. Ralph, dearest, I’ve never liked those Simbas. Of course we elephants were too big to have natural enemies except for man but that Simba pride used to come around sniffing about our calves. They are a trashy lot.”
“All we lions did that in those days, Charl. The Simbas weren’t the only ones.”
“Your pride and the Leos were perfectly mannered, Ralph – even then.”
“My lioness, Maude, brought down anything that walked and grunted, Charl. Maude was built like a brick shit house and could kill anything. We were no exception. Now the poor lady is a decorator. Go figure,” chuckled Ralph.
I also received a call from my dear friend, Charlotte. I was home one evening shortly after my return, snuggling with Lachlan. Lachlan took the call.
Putting a paw over the mouthpiece, he whispered, “Must be a damn elephant. It almost busted my eardrum.”
I assured Charlotte that when Shane returned to his work from his sick bed, I would her line up a chat with him in his office.