The next I got from Nikos was a parcel addressed to my official position at my place of work. It contained a tape recording with no covering letter. I played it and was so astonished that I transcribed it for safe keeping. Unfortunately the tape and the transcription went the way of the other S T Nikos papers but what follows is my recollections of its contents. It is perhaps shortened somewhat but the essence of it is there. Remember, I had written it out anyway, so its contents were well impressed on me.
Nikos: Testing. [Pause].
Nikos: I have agreed to meet the Govvy men this evening and the door bell has just rang. It must be them. I am placing this in my desk drawer to record the conversation. [Pause. Scuffling noises. Pause].
Nikos:...so you sit there, Mr er.
Ames: Ames. And this is Mr Beaney and this is Mr Case. Greetings follow.
Nikos: Gentlemen, what can I do for you?
Ames: Dr Nikos, this could be uncomfortable for all of us. I do hope you will be helpful and we can conclude our business amicably.
Nikos: I am not known for being unhelpful, Mr Ames. Please tell me what you want.
Ames: Dr Nikos, you are a man of some reputation in your own field, are you not?
Nikos: You are flattering, Mr Ames, but I do not feel that I have yet achieved anything.
Ames: Dr Nikos, the Government is concerned that some of your statements might attract the wrong sort of attention. They are statements which can broadly be considered potentially embarrassing to the administration. We feel you should restrict your statements purely to your own specialisms and then there can be no trouble.
Nikos: Trouble, Mr Ames? I cannot imagine why there should be any trouble.
Case: Look here, Nikos. We are trying to be polite. We all want to be polite. Why don’t you do as you’re told?
Ames: Relax, Case. Dr Nikos understands us fully and wants to co-operate, don’t you, Dr Nikos?
Nikos: Well I am not sure that I do understand you, Mr Ames. I am not aware that I have done anything that is undemocratic.
Case: That’s rich, Nikos. You’ve been undermining public confidence in the administration, and encouraging commies. You’re a traitor and a foreigner, Nikos!
Ames: Please, Case. There is not need for this, is there, Dr Nikos.
Nikos: I don’t care much for his attitude. I repeat, I am doing nothing unconstitutional, I am a US citizen and I do not have to be spoken to in this way.
Ames: Quite, Dr Nikos. So say you will help us. I said we do not want any unpleasantness, and we too are only doing our jobs.
Beaney: There’s something in it for you if you are co-operative, Nikos.
Nikos: No doubt you will tell me what you mean, but I still do not understand what I have done that you think is harmful.
Case: You know exactly wh...
Ames: Leave it to me, Case. Alright Dr Nikos, let me be perfectly clear. The government can allow criticism but it cannot allow morale to fall. If the electorate have a cause to believe that they have no future, you will stir up trouble. We don’t care what you say about UFOs as long as it isn’t true. We don’t care what you say about dinosaurs, as long as you do not prove them to be linked with UFOs. You can even go around telling everyone that you know that the administration is involved in a cover-up about UFOs, as long, Dr Nikos, as long as you do not say what is being covered up.
Beaney: You are a clever man, Dr Nikos, there are many things you could find to amuse yourself in your scholarly fields. Let us help you.
Ames: Exactly, Dr Nikos. Apply for Federal funding. We can ensure that your application is viewed with considerable favour. What do you say? It’s far better than shooting off and getting into trouble.
Nikos: And what if I refuse?
Ames: Well, it’s not a nice thing to contemplate, but we cannot always keep hotheads in the service, like Case, under control. There are always wildmen who haven’t the patience for dealing diplomatically, Dr Nikos.
Nikos: I am being warned off with menaces.
Ames: We don’t see it that way, Nikos. We have made you an irrefusable offer. The government doesn’t often fund your kind of research. [Shuffling of chairs]. And now we have said enough, Nik.. Dr Nikos. We’ll give you a few weeks to think it over. Then we’ll be in touch again. Be sure you make the right choice.
Voices: [Grunt. Murmers in the distance. Pause. Scuffle.]
Nikos: Those pleasant creatures have departed. Hope it all recorded. Signing off. Tino Nikos.
Michaela Magi Griffiths, Bloomsbury, September, 1993
© Copyright AskWhy! Publications 1997. Quote by all means but credit this source.