Binyamin was looking forward to this, it wasn't common for Zimalia to get to welcome foreign guests. This was mainly due to them being seen as rather less wholesome than many nations but that just showed how unknowledgeable global leaders were. Binyamin knew the truth, if it wasn't for him the tribes that made up Zimalia would be waging a constant string of civil wars yet since he'd assumed the control of the nation there hadn't been a single attempt. Yes he'd had to be harsh, it was the only language some of the tribes understood, especially the Afolayans, if you didn't give them the odd collective slap they soon stepped out of line. To have the Ayatollah come to visit was exciting and Elwes planned to make the most of it. He'd had his soldiers that made up his bodyguard personally do and collect journalists and photographers from their homes and now they stood just behind the President ready to report whatever the hell he told them too.
Binyamin himself had ordered three new suits for the visit and having woken up this morning he'd selected a rather expensive white suit that vaguely resembled a naval uniform. He'd arrived in one of his favourite vehicles, a large bright red Cadillac accompanied by a large posse of advisors who in effect where all cousins, nephews or other relatives that were his yes men. Now they stood around casually waiting for the arrival of Rafsanjani with a few other officials. His daughter Tina, named after his favourite musician Tina Turner, stood playing with one of the sights designed to impress their guest. She was petting the three month old
lion cub who seemed to be enjoying the attention. The cub got a little too rough and Binyamin pulled on its leash roughly easily subduing the little creature. "Do not tire the little thing out" he ordered his daughter who obedient as always stood and returned to the phalanx of the Lewes family who stood behind the Cadillac.
As Rafsanjani arrived and made his way towards the President he moved towards him, the tiny lion trotting alongside him as it had been trained to do. "Ramin, my good friend" the President said warmly as he approached, he reached a bear paw sized hand out and shook Ramin's before pulling him into a manly embrace. "Welcome! Welcome" he beamed, "This, this little chap, he is for you. A lion for the Great Lion.....send him to East Moreland and I suspect they can even teach the little man to use a sword hey" Lewes let out a loud laugh at his own little joke as he turned to stand next to Rafsanjani as a herd of photographers rushed round taking photos, "Here" Binyamin bent down and scooped up the lion which seemed to enjoy the contact. Binyamin held the cat in his arms for a photo before thrusting it into the visitors arms. "He is yours now, a powerful man such as you needs a powerful companion yes? What says power more than the King of all the Jungle." Binyamin handed the leash to the lions new master, "Please come, come we have much to discuss." he lead the way towards the Cadillac and once more took the lion and scooped it into the back seat before making his way towards the drivers seat and opening the door. He suddenly turned to his son Blessing and cuffed him around the head yelling at him in a tribal language and the 17 year old quickly ran round to the passengers side and opened the door for the Ayatollah and waited for him to take a seat. The boy then reached inside his jacket and removed a pair of gold rimmed sunglasses.
"For you Sir" Blessing said as he politely unfolded the glasses arms and seemed to move towards placing them on Ramin's face personally before thinking better of it as his fathers expression seemed disapproving. "Please, enjoy your time in our land" the boy bowed, gently closed the door and made his way off. Without a further word Binyamin wheelspinned away across the tarmac causing panic among his entoruage who scurried out the Presidents way as his protection unit rushed after him as he drove off with just the Ayatollah and the Lion in the car.
"You know those cars you brought are beautiful. I shall need to one day close the airport and come and play in them, I very much like the big foreign cars. Here we get many many old Mercedes, I suppose you could say Zimalia is where they come to die." He chuckled once more. They reached where the cars had been lined up and he slowed the Cadillac slightly as they went past. "I think the Rolls Royce will be saved for special occasions, such as when I have great important men like yourself come and stay. Thank you for your generosity, there was no need as you are my guest and your prescence is the greatest of gifts" They'd passed the line up now and once more Binyamin floored the accelerator and left the airfield. They made their way along a smooth tarmac road, but each road leading off it was little more than compacted dirt or stone chips. The route ahead had been cleared and the President was pushing the car well above the posted speed limit as they cut through a small town which had only one proper road. Soon the shacks gave way to the countryside and Binyamin enjoyed telling the Ayatollah all about the various natural landmarks they passed. Half an hour later they entered the Presidents
estate and as they pulled up at the main house a young boy came hurrying down the steps, he could be no more than six years of age.
"Papa, Papa" he called as he launched himself at Binyamin who caught him and picked him up playfully tucking him under one arm with ease. "Welcome home" the boy smiled as he was carried back the way he'd come. "Welcome to Zimalia Sir" the boy added as though nothing was a miss as they entered the house. "Please let me take your shoes" the boy knelt and helped Ramin remove his footwear before placing them on a shelf neatly, he picked up a pair of soft comfortable looking slippers and helped the Ayatollah into them. "I'm Joseph Sir" the boy said eagerly, "Be at home" he ran off having earned an approving look from his father.
"Joseph is a good boy" Binyamin said proudly. "And he is right, while you are here this is your home, come and go as you please. You need anything, and I mean anything....even a playfriend for your new lion......what name will you give him? ......then you just ask and we shall make it happen." Binyamin picked a thick cigar out of a metallic case as he escorted Ramin towards the veranda. Once outside the elevated view allowed them to see over the compounds wall and out onto the countryside, about half a mile away at the bottom of the hill was a watering hole and a few animals were gathered around it. "Sit, sit, tell me the news of your homeland and what makes you come visit our land." There were binoculars on the table, "We have an abundance of wildlife here, take a look" he urged once more, "If you wish we can go on safari while you are here, see your little lions big brothers and sisters, or maybe we can go hunting, get you a nice Elephant head or something for your wall back home."