Part 24 Exploring

When the band arrived at Addis Ababa Airport they were 5 days ahead of the tour schedule and were now planning ways to fill in this time constructively.
Marcel knew exactly what he wanted to do – for years he longed to do missionary work in the field and wanted to visit the missions and encampments of the displaced populations. He wanted to see in person where he could direct large chunks of his vast personal fortune.
James took him by the arm and said
“I know exactly the place”

Part 23 Great Ambitions

Mr. Blanc was quite proud of his operations so far. In no time he would have the Monks exactly where he needed them to be. It’s amazing what a bit of money and a Prime Minister in your pocket can achieve. The coups and unrest in Harare and Nairobi were all a stunt thanks to a few phone calls by Prime Minister Hollowman to M16 and the ruse was in action.
Mr. Blanc liked what he found in the Central African republics. Lots of ambitious men willing to accommodate any man who showed he possessed power and influence.
“Who knows? One day he might come back and do it for real. It would be nice to run your own Country” thought Mr. Blanc.

Part 22 A Short stop

The bands stay in Zimbabwe was cut to only 2 hours when their plane was told to leave because all their visas were no longer valid under the new Government coming to terms with it’s function and roles. It seemed all the bands equipment had been unloaded the day before and was currently impounded until some one who understood the new customs laws could be found. Many phone calls were made and the Mr. Sincerity had arranged for an Events specialist to take on the responsibility of the Ethiopian leg of the tour.
“Ethiopia?” asked Marcel “What happened to Kenya?”

“Kenya’s just got it self a new Government as well , much to the surprise of the old government” replied David without taking his eyes from his book.

“We’re not going to get much singing happening at this rate” sighed Marcel

“As expected” said James who the others thought was still napping.

“Ethiopia should be a different story I believe” James said and within seconds began snoring again.

Part 21 The tour begins

Marcel was a bit put off about traveling in the band jet, it always seemed to conflict with his vow of poverty. Even that was a massive contradiction, Marcel knew because of his circumstance that he would never be poor materially or spiritually especially with James. One day he would stop thinking about it and be happy for himself. David of course didn’t care and was happy going over the figures and arrangement of tour and even though he knew it was a lost cause he used that fact to try and make it less non profitable, more like a game than a challenge, while James lay asleep at the back of the plane.

James had taken to sleeping 18 hours most days just to preserve his strength. The others were used to it and deflected concerns from Mr. Sincerity, Doctors and Security staff. Marcel was probably affected most because he couldn’t sing as often as he wanted. But everybody had to make sacrifices.

The first leg of the tour was Zimbabwe, though there had been some problems pre and post election the tour was welcomed because the band’s largest fan base out side of South Africa was in Harare.

When they landed at Harare International Airport it was unusual not to find a massive crowd of fans to push through, it however wasn’t that pleasant having all those fans replaced with angry men with guns.

Part 20 Dangerous Liaison

Transcription of telephone conversation: 15.32 : 15 September 2015

Mr. Sincerity: I know it’s late in the planning but is there anything you can do?
Speaker: There are options available

Mr. Sincerity: I don’t want to know what they are and nobody, I repeat NOBODY is to be hurt in the slightest way , I just want the tour to be abandoned.

Speaker: So you want it to appear as if it was an outside influence?

Mr. Sincerity: Yes, let the tour start then do what ever you need to do. I’d rather lose early than go bust at the end, who knows if you’re as good as you say you are maybe we should have a legitimate Insurance claim.

Speaker: We know our business well Mr. Sincerity, don’t worry. Africa can be a unpredictable place at the best of times, we have friends we can call on to make chaos a little more controllable, if you get my drift.

Mr. Sincerity: Well no I don’t and I don’t want too know just handle it and make sure the boys are protected. That is what you were hired to do originally and is still your main concern. Understood?

Speaker: Crystal Mr. Sincerity. I will be in touch.

As he hang up the phone Mr Blanc was surprised how easy everything was working in his favour.

That was his biggest mistake.