Chapter Seventeen

Rafael Correa, the president of Ecuador, shook hands with Assange for the first time inside the embassy. They stood inside his mini-makeshift office/bedroom amongst a laptop and clothes scattered everywhere.

“Julian, mucho gusto amigo,” smiled the President. “Your reputation proceeds you, but I’ve been particularly fascinated by the rabble rousing you’ve been up to. Buen trabajo!”

“Mucho gusto Mr. President,” replied Assange. “I’m thrilled that you’ve noticed at all. Amigos are far and few in between nowadays. What I really need now is allies.”

“Mi embassy es su embassy buei. I hope this will suffice for now. I will most likely get a subversive ‘talking to’ by my American affiliates, however, like much of the American public, I too believe you are doing the right thing.”

“It’s perfect,” said Assange. “This single room has enough legal freedom for me to continue my work, and I will push for transparent government and media rights until further notice. Thank-you, by the way, for pardoning those journalists in Quito, that was a breath of fresh air.”

The President raised an eyebrow, “you think that was because of you?”

Assange took an awkward gasp and let out a nervous laugh, “I wasn’t going there sir…”

“I was just kidding amigo!” The president howled, “but I wasn’t…no, I did have an Assange moment. Those journalistas are pendejos and they know it, but even their trash has rights. I don’t give them enough inside scoops, so they make up their own gossip.”

“If you would like any ayuda, I offer my services toward a dialogue between you and the local media…”

“Gracias, pero no my friend,” the President sighed. “You have much bigger fish to fry. All I ask is that you keep publishing, I’m addicted to WikiLeaks, your team is the best! And in the spirit of objectivity, I know I am not out of bounds, but por favor, at least give me forewarning if you are going to print anything about Ecuador.”

“I alert everyone,” stated Assange, “but of course, for your hospitality, I will make sure you know what’s up. Is there anything in particular I should know about, Mr. President?”

“Hah, hah!” The President lol’d, “you are the last person I would give any information! Just clean up your room, it’s a pig sty…just kidding!” Assange lol’d too.