A/N: Short one. I'm running out of ideas for what to write. I might just do vignettes around pivotal moments of the nineties just to show how history changed for Iraq.
March 1985
"How is it hon?" Martha's crackling voice filtered across the phone line.
"Oh babe, it's incredible. The city's like something out of Arabian Nights," Walter Monkfish, Head of IBM's Government Business replied.
"Really?"
"Yeah, I dunno but they've designed the place so well. There's like archways everywhere and souks and bazaars and cafes tucked into hidden nooks and crannies."
"It sounds magical hon," Martha said.
"Yeah, I mean it's so well thought out. Like all the streets are covered by this thick curtain like fabric that's stretched across opposite buildings. So you can walk through the street in the middle of the day and it's just a tad on the warm side, not blazing hot like youd expect."
"And are you eating fine? Do they have proper food?"
"I cant stop eating babe. The food choices are incredible. The guys at the President's office took us out to this soccer game. Crazy atmosphere by the way, apparently people from all over the Arab world follow Iraqi soccer. Anyway afterwards they took us out for a meal at this new fine dining place...babe the lamb chomps melted in my mouth. I couldn't speak, all I did was eat."
"You should have brought the kids and me along Walter," Martha complained mildly.
Walter chuckled, "You know I couldn't do that babe. It's a really important work trip. But I think the project is in the bag so I guess there'll be more trips. We'll make a vacation out of it."
"Hmmm, how'd they take the proposal?"
"Oh fantastic babe," Walter said enthusiastically. "They want the PCs fully loaded with Windows and Excel and Word across all government offices in the country. Its going to be the biggest deal for Microsoft and us by country miles!"
"Oh Walter that's great news! I'm so happy, this is going to make your career hon."
"Oh well I dunno about that," he replied demurely.
They chatted a bit more about the trip and Walter dutifully asked after the children.
"Oh by the way Walter," Martha asked. "Did you meet the President?"
"Yeah, we met him really briefly. Just shook hands and exchanged pleasantries."
"Oh wow!" she squealed. "Was he really dashing? Was he like an action hero?"
Walter chuckled," No honey, he just seems like a normal guy. He's about my height, slim. He was wearing a nice linen suit when he met us. Just looked normal I guess. Except..."
"Except?"
"Well when you're talking to him it feels like he's analyzing every word you're saying. It's pretty weird."
"Like in a creepy way?"
"No no, not creepy at all. Just really really intense."
"Well he's got to be intense right? I mean who ever heard of a President battling it out on the streets with rebels?"
"Yeah there is that...you wouldn't think he was a fighter if you meet him though."
"Was...did you see you know..."
"See what?" Walter asked.
"You know...his ear," Martha whispered the last part.
"Oh yeah, it's hard to tell though. They've done a really great job with the prosthetic part of it. Looks lifelike. Silicone or something like that. Same stuff they put in boobs."
"Oh Walter shush!" his wife admonished as he laughed.
They chatted for another fifteen minutes before Walter started feeling the days exertions creeping up on him.
"Alright babe I better call it a night...its getting pretty late here."
"Ok hon, you sleep well. Long day tomorrow?"
"Yeah we're catching the morning train up north to the President's home city. Place called Tikrit. They've got this massive microchip manufacturing plant just started operations up there. State of the art. Bob was pretty excited about it, says that itll supply the chips for half of the PCs and electronics of the next decade."
"Alright hon good night. Talk soon!"