At six-thirty, the First Lady entered the room. Everyone stood, and she motioned to everyone to sit down. She walked over to a temporary podium and adjusted the microphone. She thanked everyone for coming, then went into a short speech about how desperately the children of the world needed help. Twice her voice cracked when she spoke of certain children and what they had to endure until help was forthcoming. The last thing she said before stepping down was to plead for all the guests to be generous at the end of the evening. “All of us here tonight are fortunate that when we leave here, we’ll be going to our homes, to sleep in nice beds with pretty linens and air-conditioning. Before you close your eyes, think about some child going to sleep in a ditch because there is nowhere else to sleep. Be generous. I’m begging you. Please, make me proud of all of you here tonight.” There was a standing ovation for the First Lady that went on for a full five minutes.

Then came the usual speeches, all of them short and poignant by heads of different organizations that helped children. The last speaker was the President. “Don’t get up, please. I just want to second the First Lady and thank you all for coming and to say I do not think there is anything more important in this world than our children. Having said that, I know you are all counting the seconds till your food arrives. Enjoy, everyone.”

The five-second speech called for another standing ovation as the waiters and waitresses started serving dinner.

“I think half of Hollywood is here. A pity we don’t know any of those people. I would have thought since this is an older crowd, they would have called on someone like Barry Manilow or Tony Bennett,” Annie sniffed.

Nikki leaned across the table. “There’s a reason for the young entertainers, Annie. They’re the ones who get the message out there. Think social media. The young are born to it. The world follows their every move. I think the First Lady is trying to sign them up to work on her behalf. Pretty good thinking on her part if you ask me. The President’s being here to shake hands and do photo ops with them certainly can do wonders. With young Hollywood, it’s who you’re seen with. This is a really big coup for those who are here. Tomorrow, their pictures will flash around the world at the speed of light and call attention to this event.”

“Forget tomorrow. Try five minutes after they leave the stage,” Maggie said.

Myra looked at Annie, and said, “Do not say we are old and don’t know who Bouncy is or that skinny one who got beat up by her boyfriend. We know. Thank you, Nikki, for clarifying all of that because it does make sense. I hope they donate as well.”