Lady in Red Pt. 03 Ch. 02

He cried for the first time in years when he learned that war had been averted by the daring actions of President Hammer and her warrior husband. Even in a heavily censored North Korea, people were very familiar with the exploits of this famous couple.

When it was announced that President Hammer was going to visit Pyongyang and perform in concert, he promised himself that he would be take his wife and daughter to see the beautiful American leader, the woman known to many as 'Queen'.

Ki-Woo, along with his wife and teenage daughter, had waited with stoic patience for several hours for the concert to begin. He stared in wonder at the beautiful woman as she was introduced to the North Koreans. Without conscious thought, Ki-Woo went to one knee and bowed his head in appreciation for the peace she had secured for his people. Not wanting to do the wrong thing, his wife and daughter followed his example. Those nearby quickly did the same.

As he knelt, a very emotional Ki-Woo managed to croak out "long live our queen" under his breath, but loud enough for his daughter and wife to hear. Again, they repeated his actions. Others immediately picked up on the short chant.

"Gwen, I know you're a little concerned about what those pompous asses in Washington are saying," began Steve as he took his wife into his arms just seconds before the start of the concert. "You're doing the right thing. If anyone in Congress knew as much as you, they'd be president and we'd be watching them. Trust your instincts, and your friends."

"What they lack, and what I have, is you," whispered Gwen. "As long as I have your love and support, I'll never worry about anything. I love you more than ever!"

The performers were given the signal to take their positions. Cheers boomed and echoed around the square as the band appeared on the elevated stage. Gwen waved as she stepped to the front, close to the bullet proof glass that surrounded the stage. A voice came over the sound system speaking in Korean and introducing Gwen as the President of the United States. Gwen's smile only became larger as she strode along the front of the stage while waving to the crowd. Over a hundred thousand voices cheered her arrival in their homeland.

Gwen was wearing a long cape that was fastened around her throat and held together by several felt straps down the front. Only after a full minute, did the cheering die down enough for Gwen to finally speak. What happened next came as a complete surprise to the Americans, and especially to President Hammer.

At first a couple of hundred people directly in front of Gwen had dropped to one knee. As she watched in awe, wave after wave of humanity dropped to one knee. In less than a minute, every person in the square, an estimated crowd of well over a hundred thousand, was kneeling before Gwen.

The huge jumbotrons clearly showed the tears that ran down Gwen's cheeks as she held her hand to her mouth in amazement. A barely audible chant began but it quickly rose to a crescendo. Gwen looked to her interpreter, who was standing off to the side in apparent paralysis. The woman finally read the confusion in Gwen's face and moved quickly to her side.

"They are chanting 'Long Live Our Queen'. This has never happened before," assured the female interpreter. Tears also streaked her cheeks as she, too, went to one knee and bowed.

Gwen turned back to the crowd and stood calmly and smiled with tears still falling, as the chant continued. Gwen bowed several times to different sections of the crowd before going to one knee in a gesture of humble respect for the people of North Korea. She remained in that position for a full minute before standing upright and moving both of her hands upward in a gesture for the crowd to rise.

It took some time, but eventually everyone was standing. Gradually, the chanting quieted down. "My friends, I am so honored! As long as I live, I shall never forget this moment. I had prepared a short speech, but it seems so inadequate after this incredible reception you have given me."

As Gwen spoke, Ki-Woo was certain that she was looking directly at him. He offered a weak smile and to his surprise, President Hammer nodded and smiled as her eyes remained on his.

"We come in peace! We want only the best for each and every one of you. May you prosper, enjoy good health, and live long lives. May all nations begin to work toward that common goal. Thank you for being so gracious to me, my family, and my friends. We dedicate this concert to the good people of North Korea!"

The female interpreter quickly repeated Gwen's words. There was a huge roar when she finished speaking.

Are you ready for some music?" shouted Gwen.

The crowd needed no translation to understand what Gwen was saying. Cheers, whistles and applause rang out as Gwen reached up and pulled her cloak from her shoulders and tossed it aside. The din only increased as the audience saw Gwen was wearing a red leather bustier and leather shorts with heeled leather boots. It took a few beats of the drums before those in attendance realized that the concert was beginning, and the din lowered to a dull roar.

The band had relied completely on Charlie to plan out the concert. When asked about the opening number, Charlie had left little room for doubt.

"Everyone around the world has seen us perform, either in person, on television, or on the internet. They expect us to open with 'We Will Rock You' and they'll settle for nothing less. We'll be doing exceptionally long concerts, so we'll work in all of our hits, but Lady in Red opens with our Queen singing 'Queen'!"

So it came that the President of the United States began her world tour in a country that had no diplomatic relations with the United States. She pranced across the stage as she engaged her audience and encouraged everyone to join in, and join in they did. Steve and Charlie exchanged nods as it became obvious that their world tour was destined to make both musical and diplomatic history.

Gwen had been inspired by the incredible reception. Steve had never seen her perform with as much vigor and intensity. She gave the audience all that she had and they loved her for it. With just two short breaks, the concert lasted six hours. In each set, several guests performed individually as well as with Gwen, Steve, Jordan, and Charlie.

Steve and Gwen performed several of their more popular dance numbers for the enthralled audience. Their 'Dirty Dancing' performance delighted the crowd, but for an encore at the end of the show, they gave the North Korean fans the opportunity to see them perform their dance from 'Billie Jean' live! There were probably fewer than a few hundred people on the entire planet that had not seen their iconic movie performance on the big screen, television, or over the internet. The crowd loudly roared its approval as Steve lowered Gwen to his chest at the end of the dance while the lights dimmed for the last time that evening.

The stars that had volunteered to appear in the concert were effusive in their praise once the show finally ended.

"I used to think that I'd put on some good concerts over the years, but I realize now that I was just coasting. That was the most remarkable concert I've ever been involved in," exulted Jack Timberline. "The energy level was incredible and the individual performances were unbelievable. Thank God you guys decided to help me straighten my life out. What an honor it is to be here with Lady in Red!"

"Can you believe that all of those people knelt down in honor of President Hammer?" marveled Jodie Lane. "What were they chanting?"

"It was kind of embarrassing," admitted Gwen. "Those wonderful people were saying 'long live our queen'. Can you believe that could happen in North Korea?"

"I probably wouldn't, if I hadn't seen it," agreed Steve. "I'm beginning to think that this 'I Come in Peace World Tour' is going to be even more than we'd hoped. You're not just improving relations with heads of state. You're reaching out to the everyday citizens, and they're responding. While some governments may want war, all people want peace."

President Hammer and her entourage were packed and traveling back to the airport by nine the next morning. Surprising everyone, Jong had made a brief appearance as the group was having breakfast in a private room. He thanked Gwen, Jordan, Steve, Charlie, and the others for the great concert. He then reminded President Hammer that North Korea would be interested in initiating trade with the Unites States. Next he made a pitch for more movies to be filmed in North Korea. The movie Steve and friends had made years earlier had increased tourism somewhat and he wished to see that trend continue.

"You're going to have to allow more freedom for visitors to travel in your country if you truly want more tourism," pointed out Gwen. "We'll certainly consider making another movie here, but we'll need to see some progress toward more basic freedoms for your citizens. You have a wonderful culture, some beautiful beaches, and amazing architecture that will attract visitors. They'll need to know that they'll have the freedom to enjoy them."

Jong listened closely to the interpreter and then nodded to Gwen. He shook hands once more and was smiling as he left the room. Shortly after the brief meeting with Jong, the Americans were boarding the flight to Seoul, South Korea.

As soon as they were in the air, Lisa came to sit close to Gwen and Steve. "The South Korean government is in crisis mode today! The President has apologized to the nation for her role in a huge scandal. She's been taking advice from some lady associated with a cult, if you can imagine that.

"Now her political advisors are insisting that she come down hard on you for being so friendly with their sworn enemy. I've already been told that a lower tier government official will be meeting you when you arrive in Seoul. They're insisting on a formal apology from you before they'll even attend the state dinner. They're also threatening to cancel your concert. All of this is supposed to restore her credibility as a strong, independent minded leader. It looks like it's going to be a diplomatic fiasco," warned Lisa. "I'll bet that Lancer will be delighted."