I figure the only thing that tastes better than free food is free food smuggled from behind enemy lines. This was the strategy that got me through the morning hours.

I did a quick search of Heritage-sponsored and friendly events. Presenting "China and Latin America: An Update," a panel discussion hosted by the Hudson Institute that offered token complimentary breakfast. How did I miss that last night?!? True, it was going against my desire to be original--to eat something more than bagels, pastries, and fruit. I was out of options.

Still, it was too late to RSVP, and with the popularity of early-morning, stuffy foreign policy events, I--random D.C. intern--wasn't going to be able to just stroll in. Nicholle Manners, nondescript VIP with an editor who was supposed to RSVP on her behalf and little patience for lost confirmations and questions, however, could.

I dressed in something business-savy and made sure to keep sunglasses and an expression of thinly veiled superiority plastered on my face until the elevator ding tolled. I stepped up to the woman in the doorway who looked at me surprised before saying "Good morning" in her politest of "What are you doing here?" ways. The I-never-actually-RSVPed-tango began.

I gave her my last name, and then paused. She asked me if I RSVP'ed and I explained that my editor was supposed to have done so on my behalf as I shook my hair out and pulled my sunglasses off with aplomb. She said the room was most likely going to be filled. I responded that my editor had confirmed a week ago and looked at her expectantly. She opened the doors and let me in.

I walked slowly into the room with my head up, realizing very quickly that I was THE ONLY BLACK PERSON there. Great. Awkward. I slid up to the table where a fresh fruit salad, pastries, bagels, coffee, and fresh-squeezed orange juice (you could taste the bits of fruit) were arrayed. I ate a bagel and some fruit salad, washed it down with some orange juice, and sat down since the panel was about the begin. Technically speaking, my breakfast was done by 9:30.

So, after logging what I felt was the approrpriately polite time of listening to the disucssion, I waited for an opening in Q & A and stood up to be excused. Of course, I was blocked into the aisle and had to amble out. As I did so, however, the moderator called on me--thinking I was overly anxious to get a question out. Panic.

I took the mic and vamped. Forgive my loose quotations, but the freaking out didn't help my memory. I said something like this: "Nicholle Manners, (conveniently left out my affiliation), You mentioned the various challenges to China's rapidly growing economy and investment in Latin America. I was wondering if you could speak to some of its benefits for Americans, in light of the rarely employed Monroe Doctrine governance philosophy and our global economy."

They thought the question was really interesting, and took a while to answer it. I was forced to sit through the response. The panel ended shortly afterwards, and as I hit the door, the moderator stopped me, and introduced me to the panelists. What was I getting into? 

Then, they told me how they wanted to continue our discussion and invited me to breakfast at the Capitol Hilton down the street. Um...

I explained that I had to get back to work and couldn't sit down to a full breakfast. They insisted. The VIP tango had commenced. I explained that I had a busy day. They said you have to start the day off right.  We ended up at the hotel.

It was there that the real breakfast was served...hot breakfast. Eggs, bacon, croissants, pancakes--that sort of stuff. Having filled up on the continental, I wasn't ready to go to town. I ate some scrambled eggs, bacon, and toast before excusing myself apologetically and walking directly out of the hotel.

We never did exchange cards, and I think that's for the better.

The lesson I learned: When you tango with the enemy, it can get pretty tricky. But if you're prepared--as in you're fluent in circuitous intellectual-esque speak and appearing far more knowledgeable than you actually are and are sporting a sharp outfit and even sharper attitude, it'll work out.