It is May 1989, in a 1989 slightly different from the 1989 we
experienced. Relations between the United States and the Soviet
Union have improved since the end of the Reagan Presidency. Once
negotiations began, they quickly spread to a number of areas and
topics, including the Berlin Wall. On Sunday, the 14th of May of this
1989, officials of the United States, the Soviet Union, East and West
Germany will meet to sign a treaty based on these negotiations. This
treaty, while not changing much of import, is an important first step
toward a safer and saner situation in Europe. The Cold War is still
very much the status quo; perhaps this will ease the tensions.
All of the participants have been invited to a small formal party at
the Embassy to celebrate on the day before the signing. In addition
to the ambassadors, several other well-known
and famous people have been invited. Of course, not all
of these 'beautiful people' get along very well, and the evening is
expected to be a lively one...
This is a black-tie diplomatic party. Formal dress is
called for.
This is the public description of the characters in The
Treaty of Berlin. This information is general knowledge and may
be radically different than that in the personal biographies.
Elinor Armstrong:
Wife of the American ambassador, Elinor used to be a
model before she fell in love with Harrison. She designs
well-received fashions in a small office in the Consulate.
Harrison Armstrong:
The American ambassador to West Germany, Harrison
is a popular member of the diplomatic staff; his name is often
mentioned as a candidate for the next Secretary of State.
Edward Baker:
A gentleman's gentleman, Edward has recently taken on
the position of head of the House Staff at the Embassy. He has worked
for several very prestigious people during his career.
Senator Shannon Carver:
Freshman member of the Senate Intelligence
Committee, Shannon is a woman who has made it in the tough world of
politics. She has ambition and drive, with the goal of controlling
the Oval Office someday.
Sir Adam Cavanaugh, KBE:
A famous British writer of spy thrillers, Sir
Adam is known world-wide. His fictional hero Edward Creighton is a
rough and tumble spy with panache and brains, often compared to James
Bond and the real-life Jean-Paul St. Martin.
Henrí Gaspar:
A famous French movie star, Henrí is a tempestuous lover
who travels all across the world to star in films of all types. Henrí
recently dumped Lisa Matorozzi into a fountain in Rome to end their
affair.
Aleksandr Gorov:
Soviet dissident author and exile, Aleksandr is in
Germany researching a book about Nazi Germany and Russia under Stalin.
Grigori Kazarov:
Soviet Ambassador to East Germany, Grigori has been
one of the surprisingly liberal forces that led to the Treaty. He is
one of the new faces in the Soviet government, a protege of the
Chairman.
Magda Kazarov:
Grigori's wife. She is known to be having a "fashion
feud" with Elinor Armstrong, each trying to outdress the other at
public affairs.
Lisa Matorozzi:
Rising young Italian starlet, she has been
romantically linked with Henrí Gaspar in the past. She has been seen
in the company of Avrum Meyer and, more recently, Steven Melnick.
Steven Melnick:
American shuttle astronaut. Everyone wants to hear
the details of the near-crash of the shuttle Atlantis in orbit and the
resulting fiery but safe landing at Rota, Spain that Melnick handled.
Rumors are flying about what it was that wounded the shuttle - from
UFO, to Soviet killer satellite, to secret American "Star Wars" test.
Avrum Meyer:
An Israeli-born jet-setting playboy, Avrum has been
linked to a lot of things, mostly beautiful women. They say he made
his money dabbling in stolen art and in dealing weapons to the Third
World.
Nicole Peterson:
The beautiful and intelligent Assistant Head of House
Staff that runs the day-to-day details of keeping the Embassy in top
shape for these parties. Nicole occasionally models the designs of
Elinor Armstrong.
Jean-Paul St. Martin:
The world-famous French spy. Despite the fact
that his name and his face is known to the world at large, he still
manages to perform incredible world-saving acts on a regular basis.
His recovery of the cruise missile that had fallen into the hands of
Bolivian drug-smugglers was the basis of a book by Sir Adam and two
movies.
Wilhelm Steinkirsch:
An East German newsman, Wilhelm has been a
newsmaker as well as a reporter. His negotiations with the Mannheim
Mayhem Squad resulted in the release of American and Soviet arms
negotiators held hostage for three days.
Elsa Marie von Brückner:
The wife of the West German ambassador, Elsa
Marie is also a well-known pianist.
Rudolf von Brückner:
The West German ambassador. Rudolf has been the
driving force (along with Kazarov) in getting the Treaty worked out.
Horst Wagner:
Once a Colonel in the East German Army, he has retired
to a life of leisure, letting his wife do the work. An avid sportsman
and collector of guns, his hunting safaris are always fancy affairs
attracting the 'beautiful people'.
Natasha Wagner:
Tough as nails and cold as ice, Natasha ruthlessly
worked her way to the Ambassadorship. A demanding boss who likes to
control all of the strings, she has humiliated the West on two
occasions - enjoying every minute of making Harrison Armstrong squirm.
T.R. Williams:
A well-to-do wallflower for many years, T.R. has
blossomed into a new life with a series of whodunit mystery books and
stories. Her stories have been adapted into a hit TV show called
"Death She Discovered".
© 1987-2005, by Jeff Diewald, all rights reserved.
