They came down off the hill and joined the rush of PAPA people who had heard of the senator's arrival. For once, they were not noticed.
"He is obviously very popular," said Chiun as they drew near the growing congregation.
"Everybody loves a clown," said Remo.
They worked their way around, sticking to the trees until they were on the other side of the media swarm.
The shouted sounds of press questions came to their ears.
"Senator, why are you here in California?"
"Officially," came the booming voice of Senator Ned J. Clancy, "I've brought my dear mother, Pearl, because I've heard that these wonderful bugs have medicinal properties that might restore her failing faculties."
"You brought your mother here to feed her bugs?"
Clancy looked pained. Obviously, the subject of his mother was a sensitive one.
"No," he said. "But if she takes them off the plate, that of course is her right."
"Is concern for your mother's health the only reason you came to Nirvana West, Senator?"
"While I'm in the Golden State, I thought I'd have a look at the important humanitarian movement called People Against Protein Assassins. In an unofficial capacity, of course."
"Does that mean federal aid?"
"You bet it does," said Remo.
"I never shirk my responsibility to use my political power to help my constituents throughout this great land of ours.""
"Senator, your constituency is limited to Massachusetts. Does this mean you are planning another presidential run?"
"Let me say this about that: No."
"What is your opinion on the HELP crisis, Senator?"
"As I told you," Senator Clancy said, his voice tightening in sympathy with his grimace of a smile, "I'm here unofficially."
"Senator, there are reports that Thrush Limburger is coming here, and that he's prepared to expose HELP as some sort of hoax."
Senator Clancy took up his asthma inhaler and squeezed the canister twice. He immediately began coughing. The thudding of aides' hands on his broad back took several minutes to subside.
"I welcome," Clancy said after his coughing jag abated, "any input into this grave health problem."
"So you think HELP is real?"
"No, I didn't say that."
"Then is it a hoax?"
"That, I cannot say."
"What can you say, Senator?"
"I look forward to Thrush Limburger's arrival here at Nirvana West. Perhaps after he and I have had a chance to chat, I will have more to say on the matter."
The Master of Sinanju said, "That man is a superb politician."
"How's that again?" Remo asked.
"All these people hang on his every word, and he is saying nothing."
"How this guy can have a constituency is beyond me," grumbled Remo. "He can't keep his pants on or his liver dry."
A woman, overhearing that, turned to him and said, "That's an old-fashioned attitude."
"Common decency isn't old-fashioned. Yet."
"I meant that it was true in the old days that we never cared what Senator Clancy did, only what he said. But today we've grown up. We don't care what Neddo says, we only care what he does, and what he does is introduce all our legislation, just the way we write it. What he does in his private hours is his business."
"That's the trouble. None of what he does is private. It's usually all over the front page."
"Regressive," the woman hissed.
"Moron," Remo shot back. He turned to Chiun. "Let's go, Little Father. I've seen enough."
The way to their car was blocked by a clutch of white and black limousines.
"Sorry," a chauffeur said. "You can't pass."
"It's a free country and our car is on the other side of your cars," Remo said tightly.
"We have instructions that no one should pass. Security."
Remo scowled. "Security? Clancy's back there."
"Yeah, but his mother is here."
"And if you keep your voices down, you won't disturb her," Remo pointed out.
Stubby Uzis came up from under the security men's coats.
"We have instructions to shoot potentially hostile persons."
Chiun stepped in front of Remo and said in a plaintive voice, "Please do not hurt my adopted son."
Remo knew Chiun was setting them up for the kill. He hesitated. If any blood was shed, their cover would be blown.