America 1982.

Chapter 55 Committee Meeting

The largest Lincoln Round Table Conference Room at Lincoln High School.

This is definitely the most majestic and noble room in Lincoln High School, because the purpose of its construction in 1976 was to follow the trend of private high schools and allow high school students in this school to understand the world from a more intuitive perspective.

The International Strategic Simulation Club is a school organization that attempts to enable students to simulate serving as representatives of various countries, to express their respective suggestions and exchange opinions on an international affair, and to exercise their abilities.

Unfortunately, public high schools have not figured out one thing: their high school students are not interested in such simulated issue activities at all. Most of them even drop out of school without getting a diploma. How could they care about the reasons for the outbreak of the Vietnam War or when the Soviet Union would launch the Third World War?

Many public high school students cannot even find their simulated country on a globe, let alone simulate it, if the font size is not big enough.

Think about it, sitting in this room with a confused look on your face, and your instructor throws you a document that says that you will simulate the German Chancellor and express your views on the world's Cold War situation in front of a group of classmates who simulate the leaders of the United States, the Soviet Union and other countries. Which is more interesting, or going out for a ride with your beloved girl?

Even if they have to choose ten times, they will make the right choice, girl.

Even going to the gymnasium to participate in sports activities and watching the beautiful cheerleaders of the school rehearsing dance in their cool uniforms not far away makes them feel happier than sitting in a conference hall.

In 79, a high school student from Lincoln High School spray-painted a quote on the door of the conference hall that was so classic that it could be written into the history of philosophy: "Simulations can't make us fall in love with politics, but idiots can!"

Although the school quickly cleared it up, it did not prevent later students at Lincoln High School from remembering this sentence and expressing their attitude towards the political game.

Now this conference room, which has been vacant for a long time, has been reopened and is hosting an important meeting of the CSLS Committee.

Tommy Hawke stood at the main seat in front of the huge round conference table that could accommodate twenty people, with his ten fingertips resting on the tabletop, and his eyes looked around at everyone who had found their seats.
“If you have any questions about this summer camp, you can ask them now.”

Several people looked at each other, and the fat man David with glasses spoke first: "David Schaeffer, Georgia, uh... I have a question. The committee of this kind of organization is usually composed of the school and the initiator. We are just students, why can we become committee members? Of course, I am honored, but I am more curious."

"Because my committee seems to be very empty right now. There are only four of us, including the instructor, Miss Farrell, who made you boys stare at me. I need other people to help maintain the normal operation of this summer camp. After all, there are still fifty-three students in the first term, excluding you." Tommy Hawke said frankly.

"It's really nothing new. It's just as I guessed. They gave me a high-level title and asked me to do unpaid labor. I often used this trick on black students in Georgia." David Shaffer shrugged, not at all surprised.

Frank Grillo looked at Tommy Hawke and shrugged. "I'm happy to help. My mom always says to help others, but I have to call her first. She doesn't like me doing something she doesn't know about."

“Hahahahaha~” Kevin Nipfen laughed loudly, his voice full of sarcasm. “Frank Grillo, what you said reminds me of the state league when your coach had to call home and ask your mother for permission before he could take you to the post-game dinner.”

"Shut up, Kane Knipfen, and don't make me break your back," Frank shouted.

"Okay, come on!" Kevin pulled out the chair and was about to get up.

"Talk like adults, everyone, otherwise I have the right to expel you from the summer camp. By the way, according to the contract, you will not get a refund if you are expelled for personal reasons." Tommy Hawke saw that the two were about to argue again, tapped the table with his knuckles, and said coldly: "If you insist on giving up your place and let me earn the money of two more high school students, I would love it."

Seeing the two sitting back and not speaking anymore, Tommy Hawke stared at them for a few seconds before speaking: "Continue with the previous question."

"My mother told me to be a good and popular girl. If I can help everyone, I would be happy to do so," said Zoe Winters with a smile.

"I'm not interested in managing some tough guys," said Katherine Nunn, observing her brightly painted nails without looking up. "I just want to talk to the head of state and get the resume I need because I want to study political science in college."

"I just need various sports scores." Chris Ferguson took off his cowboy hat, revealing his long brown hair. He shook his head, as if talking to himself: "Although I don't know why I have to get a bunch of sports scores before applying to those prestigious schools if I just want to major in mathematics, I don't mind if I can get excellent grades as a committee member."

Seeing that Stephen Bean had no intention of speaking and just looked at him and made a gesture to continue, Tommy Hawke said:
"You will get what you pay for. Your performance in the competition will be very good. Since you are here, you are naturally aware of the quality of this summer camp. I am also aware of your needs, which are nothing more than a dazzling array of results on paper. So first of all, this point will be given priority. Secondly, you will get a joint recommendation letter from the founder of the summer camp organizing committee and the founding school principal, which will praise your sense of responsibility and great efforts. Finally, you have the priority right to appoint the government simulation of the summer camp. Yes, within an hour of your arrival in that country, you can become the national police chief, foreign minister, education minister, sports minister or any other position of that country. Then you have the right to appoint the fifty-three high school students who are not on this committee as your subordinates, and your additional compensation also includes that the real police chief, foreign minister, etc. of that country, that is, the real owner of the position you are experiencing, will present a letter of recommendation at the end. This is a treatment that the fifty-three high school students do not have." Tommy Hawke looked around at everyone in a calm tone:
"If you are sure you are not interested, you can bring it up now. I will replace you with a group of people to take your current positions and serve me. Then you can wait to be led by them."

"I'll join. Poor people just can't resist temptation." David Schaeffer was the first to change his words after hearing Tommy Hawke's words: "I hope to be the country's Home Secretary."

Several other people, including Stephen Bean, showed eager expressions. Kevin Knipfen raised his hand and said, "That's interesting. Minister of Sports, I can teach the people of that country what sports competition is."

"Is their country in need of a queen? I can reluctantly accept their kneeling." Catherine thought for a moment and said to Tommy Hawke.

Tommy Hawke looked at Catherine, shrugged and said, "No, unfortunately, they regard the Queen of England as their leader."

"Then can I serve as the Secretary of Defense or the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces? I will lead my troops to overthrow her and Britain's rule, so that I, Queen Catherine, can be crowned on the throne." Catherine thought about it and gave her own ideas.

Tommy Hawke nodded. "Your Majesty, the position of Minister of Defense and Commander of the Armed Forces is yours, but I personally don't think you can lead two hundred reserve militiamen across the Atlantic Ocean to the British Isles and kill Britain and its queen within seven days of your summer camp experience. Although if you can do it, all the citizens of that country may be grateful."

"I can do anything." Zoe gave Tommy a sweet smile. "I'll do whatever you need me to do."

"I think their country must need a foreign minister like you who is beautiful, elegant and considerate of others." Tommy Hawke also laughed and said to Zoe.

Seeing Frank Grillo still in a daze, Tommy asked, "Frank, what about you?"

"Uh...I'm thinking about it," Frank responded.

Although this guy looks fierce, he can feel that he is very gentle during the conversation, as long as Kevin doesn't provoke him. Shifting his gaze from Frank to the cowboy, Tommy asked, "Very good, Chris, do you have a position you like?"

"A position related to numbers and probability." Chris took out a cigarette: "Can I have one? I'm over 18 years old."

"Okay, but it's better not in front of girls. We can go out and smoke later. So, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, or the Minister of International Trade, or the Minister of Revenue?"

Chris put away his cigarette: "Minister of Taxation."

"Shit! I should have chosen the position of Minister of Taxation, but I was attracted by the title of Minister of the Interior. Can we discuss how to avoid taxation then? Chris? I have been studying this issue since I was thirteen years old." David Schaeffer regretted that he did not expect this position, and then looked at Chris Ferguson and asked.

"Sir Stephen, do you want to say something?"

Stephen Bean put his left fist on his lips and hesitated for a few seconds before speaking: "May I ask how you selected us?"

"Because the information of the seven of you was sorted and placed at the top, I didn't choose one." Tommy Hawke said.

Stephen Bean shrugged. "That's a very honest answer. Then I want to be the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Minister of International Trade? After all, I think everyone here may not know as much about money as I do. By the way, I plan to finish studying humanities at Stanford University and study business school for graduate studies, which will just give me some subject experience."

"You've already been admitted in advance, why are you coming to a summer camp that's obviously just to appease college recruiters?" David Schaeffer said in shock, "Fuck Stanford!"

"Waiting is a bit boring, let's find a summer camp to kill time." Stephen smiled brightly.

Kevin asked, "Waiting to report to college?"

"Wait until my grandfather dies and inherit his legacy," said Stephen.

Tommy Hawke flipped through Stephen Bean's resume in front of him and said, "Hey, man, it says here that you were admitted to Stanford University in advance based on your ability, and you are from Harvard-Westlake High School in Los Angeles. What ability did you rely on to do that? Did you win an international award in sports or art?"

Others also looked at Stephen Bean curiously.

Stephen enjoyed the feeling of being watched by everyone. After a few seconds, he said, "Because my father was a trustee of Stanford University, the Bean family donates to Stanford University every year."

"What the hell is this called personal ability?" David Shaffer almost had the words envy, jealousy and hatred written on his face.

Stephen leaned back and opened his arms to the poor fellows: "This ability is called luck, man. Luck can make people born into a good family."

"Although he deserves a beating, what he said makes damn sense." David Shaffer said depressedly.

Tommy Hawke said, "I want to remind you that you will leave for St. Vincent one day earlier than the other students to serve as national leaders. You should familiarize yourself with the work you are responsible for as soon as possible. When you perform your duties, the real officials of St. Vincent will serve as supervisors to guide and observe your work ability. Each of you needs to manage eight students and take good care of and arrange their work schedules. Although this summer camp has purchased short-term accident insurance for you, we still don't want to see any accidents happen."

"What if there are problems?" Zoe asked. "Some problems. I mean there may always be unexpected things."

"If you can't handle it yourself, you can report to Tommy Hawke, the Prime Minister of St. Vincent for the next seven days."

"Frank, it's time for you to make a decision, whether to join or to replace me..." After saying that, Tommy looked at Frank.

"Wait a minute." Frank stood up: "Where's the phone?"

Several boys, except Kevin Knipfen, stood under the paulownia tree, smoking and watching Frank making a phone call in the telephone booth in the distance, while the two girls, led by Ottilia, visited the campus.

The first batch of students will officially arrive at Lincoln High School tomorrow, and then gather to set off for St. Vincent. A professor named Gavin Rad from Princeton University has already made clear arrangements. He will not participate in the activities at St. Vincent in the first half, but will attend the summer summit at Lincoln High School in the second half. As for another unknown professor, he has not yet given a definite reply. The only reply is that if he attends, he will not charge any compensation.

But Tommy was not interested in guessing the other party's reaction. The school's account now contained money paid by more than 200 high school students for the summer camp. Whether Princeton was impulsive or helpful, the money was real.

"I can't believe it. He had to ask his mom for permission for summer camp activities, and when I was thirteen, my damn dad started borrowing money from me to buy alcohol," David Shaffer said, spitting out his cigarette butt.

In the distance, Frank's voice on the phone could be heard faintly:
"Mom, I was selected to serve as a member of the CSLS committee and the commander of the special forces and the warden and the commander of the Coast Guard and the Internal Affairs Forces of St. Vincent."

"It's not a church organization, it's an arrangement of the summer camp. I am responsible for ensuring the safety of the summer camp and providing them with all-round protection."

"Not all of them protect me. I bring my men to protect them. Yes, I also believe that I can do it. Got it, mom. Love you."

"My mother said she agreed."

Seeing Frank hang up the phone, Tommy Hawke said to several people: "I think the first person to come up with a nickname on the CSLS committee has appeared, BigBaby Frank."

Sorry, two chapters have been combined into one, with more than 4,000 words. There will be no second update. I wanted to write it originally, but something came up. After my father-in-law and mother-in-law became sheep, I just received news that my parents also became sheep and are short of medicine. I have to find a way to prepare some medicine for them. I'm sorry, everyone. I also wish you all good health and take preventive measures.

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(End of this chapter)