Post

The London Connection

| Following the President's successful overture to the Japanese a month earlier, Jair Messias Bolsonaro is at it again. This time, he is on his way to London to meet with Prime Minister Boris Johnson. Johnson, a conservative, is seen by Bolsonaro as a potential close ally and partner. Having been isolated by the Biden administration following Trump's loss in the 2020 election, Bolsonaro seeks to form partnerships elsewhere among other conservative leaders. |

_{Aeroporto Internacional de Brasília | JUNE 2024}

| It is a foggy June day in the Brazilian capital. A chill rushes up Bolsonaro's spine as he makes his way out of his Black 1952 Rolls Royce Silver Wraith, feeling the crisp cold air outside, away from the controlled climate interior of the car. Looking around, he notices his security detail hard at work securing the tarmac at Brasilia International Airport. For today is an important day. The President will be boarding the Presidential plane, an Airbus A319, and heading off to London to meet with his UK counterpart. After a few moments, the President walks up to the head of his security detail, Flávio da Costa, and taps his shoulder. |

Jair Messias Bolsonaro, President of the Federative Republic of Brazil: "Flávio."

| The President would lean over the security officer's shoulder before continuing. |

Jair Messias Bolsonaro, President of the Federative Republic of Brazil: "I want a smooth flight, no hiccups on your end, you understand?"

| Mr. da Costa visibly flinches in response. The President can be rather upfront and forceful at times. An attitude necessary if one is to survive in the harsh reality of Brazilian politics. |

Flávio da Costa, Head of Security: "Of course, sir. Everything should be fine. It'll be a smooth flight to London."

| Bolsonaro would grin as he pats da Costa's shoulder, walking past him and paying no further attention to his Head of Security. The rather awkward interaction is nothing out of the ordinary for the President. The Brazilian strongman has a tendency to intimidate his security detail and only expects the best out of the men and women sworn to protect him at all costs. Desiring to reach the warmth and comfort of the interior of the jet, Bolsonaro swiftly makes his way up the airstairs and onto the plane. He then sits down in a leather lounge chair and places his hands on its armrests before leaning back and sighing. |

Jair Messias Bolsonaro, President of the Federative Republic of Brazil: "11 hours. 11 damn hours."

| Bolsonaro closes his eyes for some peace and quiet. However, that would not last long as one of his staff members, already aboard he plane, interjects and states that the flight will be 13 hours long instead of 11. The President, livid at the response, opens his eyes and gets up and out of his chair in one swift motion. He then turns to face the staffer and points at them. |

Jair Messias Bolsonaro, President of the Federative Republic of Brazil: "What the hell did you just say to me?"

| The staffer, rather shocked by the President's sudden outburst shakes his head in response, lowering his head. |

Jair Messias Bolsonaro, President of the Federative Republic of Brazil: "No, I wanna know what you just said. Did you say 13 hours? Was that you? I swear it was you. There's no one else next to me but you." Bolsonaro would pinch the bridge of his nose in frustration before continuing. "What's your name, son?"

| The staffer begins sweating as he stutters a reply. |

Otávio Carvalho, Staffer: "Otávio, sir. Otávio Carvalho. I didn't mean any disresp-"

| The President raises his right hand in an effort to silence the staffer before him. |

Jair Messias Bolsonaro, President of the Federative Republic of Brazil: "I don't think I asked you what you did nor did not mean. I believe I asked if that was you who ran your mouth earlier. I take that as a yes?"

| Otávio simply nods, too afraid to say anything and risk further retribution from the President. |

Jair Messias Bolsonaro, President of the Federative Republic of Brazil: "I've had a long day and I don't need to hear that the flight will be longer than it has to be. I'm sure you understand."

| Meanwhile, as the two men continue to converse, Flávio da Costa boards the plane and nods at Bolsonaro, having heard the whole conversation just beyond the aircraft service door. The Brazilian strongman would turn his head towards da Costa and nod at him in acknowledgement before turning his attention back to Otávio. |

Jair Messias Bolsonaro, President of the Federative Republic of Brazil: "Mr. Carvalho. I have a big favor to ask of you. I need you to step out of the plane for a moment and go check up on the rest of the staffers. They can be quite sluggish at times."

| Without another word, fearful of Bolsonaro and wishing to deescalate whatever the hell just happened, the young staffer makes his way past the President and his head of security before exiting the plane. As soon as he's gone, Bolsonaro would turn to face da Costa and shake his head in disappointment.

Jair Messias Bolsonaro, President of the Federative Republic of Brazil: "Make sure the kid doesn't get back on the plane. I don't want anymore disturbances. You promised me I wouldn't have any hiccups."

| Da Costa, visibly confused, attempts to deescalate the situation by agreeing to the President's request before stepping out of the plane and making his way down onto the tarmac to catch up with Otávio. |

_{time skip | London Heathrow}

| 13 hours later, the plane touches down at London Heathrow (Canovia) on schedule, affirming the young staffer's interjection of a 13 hour flight. Regardless of Otávio Carvalho's prediction, the staffer isn't seen on board the plane when it finally grinds to halt. As for what happened to the staffer, no one really knows. The President's orders were vague, we'll just leave it at that. |