“This happened some years ago according to Sherman…”

HU'S ON FIRST By James Sherman

We take you now to the Oval Office...

President George W. Bush: Condi! Nice to see you. What's happening?

National Security Advisor Condoleeza Rice: Sir, I have the report here

about the new leader of China.

Bush: Great. Lay it on me.

Rice: Hu is the new leader of China.

Bush: That's what I want to know.

Rice: That's what I'm telling you.

Bush: That's what I'm asking you. Who is the new leader of China?

Rice: Yes.

Bush: I mean the fellow's name.

Rice: Hu.

Bush: The guy in China.

Rice: Hu.

Bush: The new leader of China.

Rice: Hu.

Bush: The Chinaman!

Rice: Hu is leading China.

Bush: Now whaddya asking me for?

Rice: I'm telling you Hu is leading China.

Bush: Well, I'm asking you. Who is leading China?

Rice: That's the mans name.

Bush: That's who's name?

Rice: Yes.

Bush: Will you or will you not tell me the name of the new leader of China?

Rice: Yes, sir.

Bush: Yassir? Yassir Arafat is in China? I thought he was in the Middle East.

Rice: That's correct.

Bush: Then who is in China?

Rice: Yes, sir.

Bush: Yassir is in China?

Rice: No, sir.

Bush: Then who is?

Rice: Yes, sir.

Bush: Yassir?

Rice: No, sir.

Bush: Look, Rice. I need to know the name of the new leader of

China. Get me the Secretary General of the U.N. on the phone.

Rice: Kofi?

Bush: No, thanks.

Rice: You want Kofi?

Bush: No.

Rice: You don't want Kofi.

Bush: No. But now that you mention it, I could use a glass of

milk. And then get me the U.N.

Rice: Yes, sir.

Bush: Not Yassir! The guy at the U.N.

Rice: Kofi?

Bush: Milk! Will you please make the call?

Rice: And call who?

Bush: Who is the guy at the U.N?

Rice: Hu is the guy in China.

Bush: Will you stay out of China?!

Rice: Yes, sir.

Bush: And stay out of the Middle East! Just get me the guy at the U.N.

Rice: Kofi.

Bush: All right! With cream and two sugars. Now get on the phone.

(Rice picks up the phone.)

Rice: Rice, here.

Bush: Rice? Good idea. And a couple of egg rolls, too. Maybe we

should send some to the guy in China. And the Middle East. Can you get

Chinese food in the Middle East?