The aged man stood there, staring at me like a confused child. His sweaty, poorly tanned face floated above a suit of conservative navy, and a manicured hand picked at the handkerchief folded in his pocket.
“Could you repeat that line?” I asked.
He paled at my question, and I bit back impatience.
“Sir, we have thirty minutes before the address. We should go over the last part again, just to finalize it.”
“O-oh. Yes, yes. Uh—It was…‘I promise to…to deal with the problems at hand, as best as I and my advisors see fit.’” He paused. “That was it, right?”
“Exactly,” I said soothingly. “So, I’ll write in, ‘I assure the public that they can have full confidence in my advisors and me as we seek to resolve the issues at hand as swiftly as possible.’ Is that an acceptable paraphrase?”
He sagged with relief and answered hurriedly.
“Yes. Use that. That’s what I meant to say. ‘I assure…’ It’s good. Sounds like me, doesn’t it?”
I smiled.
“Of course, Mr. President. Your eloquence remains a thing to behold.”