Anyone else think that maybe, just maybe, a scene like this might have played out across some secure phone lines recently?
OBAMA: Dave. We need to save face over this Snowden thing, especially considering all your GCHQ crap.
CAMERON: He’s in Hong Kong, right? We still have some pull there, I can get him out.
OBAMA: Well, see, I don’t want to deal with him, I want that info out there but can’t afford to look weak.
CAMERON: Easy. I’ll talk to my guy in Hong Kong, you get in their faces demanding extradition.
(next day)
HONG KONG (with a world class poker face): I’m sorry America, your extradition request does not meet our legal requirements. Oh rats, who’s that sneaking onto that plane with “Aeroflot” on the side?
(next day)
OBAMA: Vlad. Do me a solid here. Find some reason you can’t send Snowden to me, and have Lavrov tell it to the press.
PUTIN: Because I want to keep him and all the wonderful things he knows?
OBAMA: Another reason.
PUTIN: If he doesn’t leave the tiny patch of airport between the gate and the immigration desk he’s not technically in Russia?
OBAMA: That works.
PUTIN: Also because we have no extradition treaty with you.
OBAMA: Yeah, one of these days we might wanna fix that.
PUTIN: I like your Snowden. He makes me look good to my people, and lets you speak strongly but not do anything you’d regret. Clever boy.
(next day)
OBAMA: Dave, me again. Make the usual arrangements?
CAMERON: Ecuador again?
(next day)
CORREA: ¡Mierda! they want me to take another one?
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