"I'm going to have a visitor at 1300. Ludwig. He wants to know how things are going."
Walton nodded. Ludwig was the head American delegate to the United Nations, a stubborn, dedicated man who had fought Popeek for years; then he had seen the light and had fought just as strenuously for its adoption. "Do you want me to prepare a report for him?" Walton asked.
"No, Roy. I want you to be here. I don't want to face him alone."
"Sir?"
"Some of the UN people feel I'm running Popeek as a one-man show," FitzMaugham explained. "Of course, that's not so, as that mountain of work on your desk testifies. But I want you there as evidence of the truth. I want him to see how much I have to rely on my assistants."
"I get it. Very good, Mr. FitzMaugham."
"And another thing," the Director went on. "It'll help appearances if I show myself surrounded with loyal young lieutenants of impeccable character. Like you, Roy."
"Thank you, sir," Walton said weakly.
"Thank you. See you at 1300 sharp, then?"
"Of course, sir."