"What can they do about me not liking them, take away my birthday?" she asks. Though it is a very real possibility--figuratively, but unhappily speaking--in her world, Noriko has long lived by the idea that she will not kowtow to anyone. Including politicians.

"I know how connected you are to your Washington, and maybe it's better than the one we deal with," Nori shrugs. "And I like you, which is why I'm not concerning myself overly with the practical loopholes of things that are, at the moment, theoretical." Which basically boils down to: if it can't be done here, remember Washington has no say in the bar.