~ CHARLIE SUE ~

Charlie Sue was aggravated. Having been ordered to drop everything, put her life on hold and just go, she was heading to see Lilith Primus. A founding member of the Majestic 12 and since Lucy Lange’s disappearance, the new Director. Her supervisor Dale was just the opposite, ecstatic. Are you kidding? Going to Dougway Proving Grounds in Utah. The oldest, most advanced alien research center in the world. In all of his 35 years of back engineering alien tech for the government, he had never even left the facility. He was excited for his prodigy, impressing on her what an honor and opportunity this was. Charlie Sue was whisked away from her Lockheed plant in Marietta Georgia in a private luxury jet. Spent the night at the lavish Hyatt Regency in Salt Lake City, Utah. And now rode through the small town of Dougway in a 1990 Rolls Royce Silver Spur II Stretch Limo. It was a big deal. Still, it stuck in her craw. She didn’t like being summoned.

As they passed the heavily armored gate, she became more impressed as the Limo headed underground. It was common knowledge that the complex was moved fully below the surface after the deadly nerve gas debacle in the 1960’s.

Her chaperone for the trip, a quietly intense Air Force Colonel that she guessed was in his 50’s, took her to an enormous dining hall for lunch. While he avoided her gaze, they ate silently. He had not spoken 10 words to her during the trip and ignored every question she asked him. Curiosity got the best of her and she asked him directly, “Why won’t you talk to me?”

He looked up at her and sighed with irritation. “I am a highly decorated full bird Colonel with two wars under my belt. It’s bad enough that I have to be your babysitter. I have no desire to be your new little friend.”

Charlie Sue’s first reaction was, “Well fuck you too.” He shrugged and went back to eating his cafeteria mystery meat. Then after a moment of consideration she said, “I get it actually, I’m not happy about being here either.”

Soon enough she found herself deliberating in a spacious waiting room with concrete walls. The heated rumblings of an argument reverberated through a heavy hardwood door to the inner office. Then there was silence. A few minutes later, two creatures exited in disarray. A Blue Elbrine from the constellation Vulpecula appeared in distress. Well over 6”5’, he had blue skin, long thin fingers and a smooth, shiny skull. Almost unheard-of to see one alone. She was told that Blues always traveled in herds. Helping him was something rarely seen outside of the Bloworld. A female Drachonian. He pushed her away when he noticed Charlie Sue watching them. The She-Drach spied Charlie Sue and her visage instantly became a voluptuous blonde wearing a tight dress, just barely in the realm of being workplace attire. The Blue’s face was flushed red. He was visibly upset and possibly injured. The She-Drach placed a circular patch containing an assortment of computer chips onto the back of his hand and a studly, middle aged businessman appeared. Charlie Sue’s eidetic memory identified him at once. Lexington Singleton, billionaire industrialist and rumored to be the new Director of the Men In Black. They left in a rush and a smokey voice beckoned Charlie Sue to enter.

Across the office stood a tall woman wearing a form fitting Houndstooth dress to the ankles. At about 5”11’, 4 inch black heels put her well over 6 feet. Bright white hair halfway down her back was trimmed straight across. Her back to the door, she was fiddling with a bangled lampshade atop a bygone Victorian lamp.

The office would have been spacious if not cluttered with classy art and antiques, juxtaposed with oodles of brick-a-brack. Curtesy of a minor in art history, Charlie Sue was floored by several pieces of particular interest. Poppy Flowers by Van Gough, Harlequin’s Head by Picasso, Rembrandt’s The Storm on the Sea of Galilee and Dutch Doll of Finedon. All priceless paintings by the masters…and missing for years. A sculpture, The Golden Calf of Gozo, thought to be lost since the middle ages. The Statue of Marduk, supposedly destroyed in 484 BC by the ruler Xerxes. A hanging Daisho of a katana and wakizashi that looked suspiciously like coveted Muramasa blades from the 16th century. From working with Grey Aliens and their technology she didn’t think she could be surprised anymore. But this room was almost surreal to Charlie Sue’s grounded sensibilities.

The striking desk in the center was also impressive. A Parnian Executive model, they were rumored to be over $200,000. In contrast, the desk top contained only four items. A functional banker’s lamp, laptop, manilla folder, and a nameplate that read Lillith Primus. In spite of her authority and name recognition in the industry, Charlie Sue researched the hell out of Lillith Primus and came up with almost nothing. No bio, no social media exposure, no documentation. The last name was the Latin word for first; that was it. “Miss Primus I presume.”

The woman said, “Call me Lillith,” and turned to face her.

Charlie Sue was struck by her beauty. Emerald green eyes that were ever so slanted. Flawless caramel skin. Full lips and a sharp jawline. Her long neck accentuated by a simple black velvet choker. Charlie Sue was not attracted to woman at all but Lillith was super-hot.

Wanting to get on with it, Charlie Sue shifted with annoyance, while Lillith looked her up and down saying nothing. Finally Lillith opened the folder and said, “So. Charlotte Suzanne Swenson.”

The long trip gave her reply some edge. “My friends call me Charlie Sue, we’ll have to see if you qualify.”

Ignoring the remark Lillith continued talking, as if to herself. “You have a photographic memory.”

“It’s actually an eidetic memory, but that’s a common mistake.”

Lillith glanced up but kept going. “Okay, 5’ tall. 103 pounds. Your blonde hair is definitely long enough to be pigtailed. And your just pretty enough to be ingenueishly vulnerable. I think you’ll do.”

“I’ll do for what exactly?”

Lillith scrutinized her and snapped, “Stop interrupting me.” Charlie Sue sighed heavily, her patience was wearing thin. “You’re a high level gamer and an electrical engineer. A rare combination for a woman in her twenties.”

Charlie Sue was officially bored with it all of it. “Hey, stop for a minute. I saw Lex Singleton barely walk out of here. What did you do to him?”

“You’re awfully fast and loose with your superiors Charlie Sue. This can be easy or this can be hard.”

Defiantly, Charlie Sue demanded, “What in the hell is that supposed to mean?”

Lillith smiled for the first time. “Good, I prefer hard.” She pressed her neck and said, “Gerard, here! Now!” Lillith laid down the folder, made a fist with her right hand and slowly began to twist it. Charlie Sue clutched her chest with alarm. A painful knot seemed to be forming behind her sternum. It grew quickly and the pain spread out, enveloping her entire body. She dropped to her knees, gasping and grunting. As the agony consumed every cell of her being, she curled up into a ball on the floor expecting to die. Lillith came around the desk and prodded Charlie Sue’s shoulder with her pointed toe Jimmy Choos. “You’re going under cover for the Majestic 12. You’re going to work directly for me.”

Lillith opened her fist and Charlie Sue’s body released with a loud, slow groan. As she regained her senses, she wiped the spittle and snot smeared on her cheek and tried in vain to halt the release of her urine and feces. “Look at me Charlie Sue.” With great difficulty she looked up at Lillith and felt an emotion foreign to her. Fear. Lillith smiled. “I think we understand each other now, don’t we? DON’T WE YOUNG LADY?” Charlie Sue could barely nod then put her head back down.

The door opened and a frail looking elderly gentleman with gray hair, entered wearing a tuxedo. “Ah Gerard, Charlie Sue and I have been chatting. Please help her get cleaned up and provide fresh clothes. We have much to do in preparation for her new life.”

Gerard took Charlie Sue by the ankles and struggled awkwardly as he dragged her from the office, leaving a puddle of pee and a trail of waste on the hardwood floor. Lillith called after him, “Send the janitor Gerard. I don’t want this white oak floor to stain.

“Yes Mum,” came the reply.

**********

Feeling warm and safe Charlie Sue came around, but kept her eyes closed and shook out the cobwebs in her mind. The excruciatingly painful episode with Lillith seemed like a dream now. Feeling hands on her, she sat up startled and sent soapy water over the edge of an old style freestanding claw foot tub. Gerard was cleaning her with a washcloth, his voice was soothing. “Relax Miss, you’re fine. Are you thirsty?”

“Yes, please. My mouth is so dry.”

“Water perhaps?”

Charlie Sue nodded. Gerard walked to a small refrigerator next to a high end vessel sink made of marble. In fact, the entire oversized bathroom was marble. Floors, walls, vanity, even the toilet. He returned with a glass and Rokko No Mizu. The Kobe beef of bottled water. Charlie Sue immediately recognized the cartoon tiger on the label. She took a long drink and handed the unusual whiskey glass back. “This is hand-blown Boshi, isn’t it?” Gerard nodded, looking impressed. “The water, this bathroom, the rare art work in her office. Lillith Primus is what my Daddy would have called a rich bitch.”

Gerard replied, “Yes Miss, you’re quite cultured I take it?”

“No Mr. Butler. I have an eidetic memory, so I remember everything I’ve seen or heard.”

“A useful talent I would wager. Call me Gerard, please.”

“Why are you being so nice to me Gerard?”

“You are a good person. I can tell if people are good or bad, it’s a gift. I like you and we will be spending much time together.”

“Oh Lord, you’re not some kind of pervert are you?”

“No Miss, I’m here to help you. If you need anything, just ask.”

Without hesitation she looked back and forth then whispered, “Help me get out of here.”

“Sorry Miss, anything but that.”

“Well, then call me Charlie Sue I guess.” She rubbed the residual soreness in her chest. “What did she do to me in there?”

“Let me just say Charlie Sue, that Mum has many exceptional and unusual skills. Some innate, many acquired over her extensive lifetime. But none of them do you want to experience firsthand.”

“That’s odd you say that. I researched Lillith Primus and came up with almost nothing.”

“You were using the wrong name. Any of these would have been more suitable, Ilith, Abitu, Hakash, Hikpodu, Ayalu, Matrota. These are her true names, the ones that matter. Lillith is assumed to be from a Mesopotamian word for Night Demon, but it’s actually a direct translation of the Erran word for eternal.”

“So she’s definitely not American.”

“I realize that was a jest, but Mum has no demarcation in terms of ancestry. She is truly…unique.”

“She has to be from somewhere.”

“No Charlie Sue. Mum is the Alpha, the Genesis.” Charlie Sue looked at him perplexed. “Lillith Primus was the first human ever created.”

“Sorry Gerard. I can tell you’re serious but I’m not buying it. That would make her uh…I can’t even guess how old. Over a hundred thousand years?”

“ You have of course, heard of the great treaty among the ancient gods.” She nodded yes. “The new masters of Earth needed workers. The Errans, you know them?”

“Do you mean the Nordics from the Pleiades constellation?”

“Yes. As per a ratified contract with the treaty committee, the Errans took their own DNA and cells from a primitive indigenous population and created my Mum. It was their initial attempt. She was the first woman and the original human prototype.”

“That would explain the green eyes and white hair but it’s hard to swallow. Easy to confirm, though. If true then everyone on earth would have traces of her DNA.”

“No. I didn’t say she was a successful prototype. The Elders, a committee of four representatives of the senior races…”

“Senior races?”

“The Nephilim, the Mantis, The Greys, and the Annunaki. They had the final say on any actions that were treaty related. The Elders rejected her. Unable to agree on who should try again, all the different races decided to create their own breeds of workers. Hence the diversity we enjoy in the world today. Then Mum’s throat was slit, and they disposed of her.”

“Then why is she still here?”

“Ah!” His finger went up. “The Errans had done too good a job. No one yet realized that Mum could not die. The extraordinarily long life span of Errans combined with the primates ability to heal, merged into a physiology that was unprecedented. To put it simply, she is immortal.”

A skeptical snicker escaped Charlie Sue. “Why do you call her Mum?”

“She’s my mother. Would you like to hear her story? It is as you Americans say, a doozy.”

“Sure. But are you supposed to be telling me all of this?”

“It’s of no consequence. You won’t remember any of it anyway.”

“Wanna bet?”

From the doorway Lilith said, “I’ll take that bet. And trust me, you wouldn’t want to remember it anyway.” As Lilith walked away, her voice wafted. “Tell her all about me, Gerard. Then bring her to the Ice Box.”

“Yes Mum,” he replied. “Charlie Sue, would you care for a cup of tea?”

“Why, yes Gerard. Under the circumstances that would be lovely.”

Trump is unlikely to lower tariffs on Vietnam, because then Vietnam would become a “white glove” for Chinese goods entering the U.S.

So this time, Trump’s indiscriminate high tariffs on the world are meant to block any middlemen.

But I don’t think it’s very meaningful.

There’s an old Chinese saying: “Some people will do business that gets their heads chopped off, but no one will do a deal that loses money.”

If even drugs can make it into the U.S., what about high-quality, low-cost goods?

The U.S. doesn’t have the ability to secure its long border.

In fact, even China’s customs and police, known for their strictness, can’t stop smuggling.

There’s a line from a movie: “If you smuggle pig trotters, we (Chinese coast guard) will chase you symbolically and call it a day—after all, we also want to eat an 8-yuan pig trotter meal. But if you traffic drugs? No matter what advanced vehicles you have, we’ll chase you with planes, from Guangzhou to Wuzhou, from Shenzhen Port to Fangchenggang, all the way to the high seas, and then treat you to some ‘peanuts’ (execution by firing squad).”

（Footage of smuggling boats captured by a police helicopter. These boats are all modified, equipped with 6 or 8 high-horsepower engines, making them extremely fast—too fast for the coast guard to catch up. However, if they dared to smuggle drugs, the helicopter would follow them. But being this blatant 100+ boats , they’re probably smuggling only “pig trotters,” and the coast guard also wants to eat something cheap, like an 8-yuan pig’s feet meal.）

Even the Chinese coast guard can’t stop smuggled pig trotters—they even consider their own 8-yuan pig trotter meals!

（These modified smuggling boats are really fast, so they come with high risks. But because of the profits, they can’t be stopped. Drugs are another matter—caught and you’re executed, and everyone’s against it, so it’s easy to tip off the police. Informants and police get hefty rewards, so the risk of drug trafficking is too high to be worth it.）

Can the U.S. do it? I have my doubts.

And I can say with certainty that if high tariffs continue, the ones smuggling in the end won’t be these poor fishermen, but organized armies or high-ranking government officials！

Given China’s level of centralization, back then there were still armies and senior officials involved in “official smuggling,” and I don’t think the United States would be an exception either.

Moreover, Vietnam’s immediate announcement of reducing tariffs on the U.S. to 0 is a big gamble.

They’re betting that after high tariffs, the U.S. domestic pressure—like inflation—will become unbearable, but Trump, for the sake of his election prospects, can’t lower tariffs on China. So, he might use “Vietnam has already yielded” as an excuse to cut tariffs on Vietnam, say to 10%.

This way, Chinese goods could quietly become “Made in Vietnam,” enter the U.S., and ease American inflation.

That’s my take.