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naked children with bloated bellies.”
    “That’s not what I’m saying. Such motivations diminish soon after the pictures are gone. What I’m talking about is letting your inner man out.”
    “My inner man?”
    “Look, one of the reasons I came to work here was your enthusiasm. When you were telling me about the work that BarringstonRelief did, you were excited, enthusiastic, ebullient, and even effervescent.”
    “That’s an awful lot of
E
s, David.”
    “Sorry, I tend to alliterate when I get excited.” David took his seat and leaned over the desk. “That enthusiasm convinced me that not only is Barringston Relief unique, but so is A.J. Barringston himself. It’s that sincere enthusiasm that convinces people to believe and to participate. It’s not enough to stand before a group and tell them that thousands are dying daily. We live in a callous age. We see death and destruction every evening on the news, and it no longer moves us. Why? Because we saw it yesterday, and we know we’ll see it tomorrow. Death is no longer novel.”
    “I see,” A.J. said contemplatively. “That’s why we can see a news report of a child being shot in a drive-by shooting and not be emotionally moved.”
    “Exactly. It’s not that people don’t care, but that they no longer know how to care. They … 
we
have been desensitized to the shocking. What little understanding does get through only causes a sense of frustration and anxiety. But if you can stand before them and show them someone whose whole life has been changed by the belief that something can be done, then they will associate with you.”
    “What do you mean associate with me?”
    “They will come to see that yours is a zeal they can possess. They will see that people can make a difference. But they have to see you pour out your emotion, exposing your heart to them. If you do that well, then you will become a lens that can focus the problem and the solution in the audience’s mind. They will appreciate that. They will relish that. Knowing that hundreds die every hour is too much to take in, too much to believe. But to see one person totally committed to helping others is something that can be grasped.”
    “You don’t think the people will confuse me with some evangelist, do you?”
    “Not possible,” David replied shaking his head. “Heartfelt sincerity is as obvious to the audience as insincerity. I’m not proposing that you act out a drama or put on a performance. I’m merely suggesting that you drop that armor of formality you put on before you give a speech and let the real A.J. shine forth.”
    “The real A.J.?”
    “The A.J. I met in the office a few days ago. The A.J. who is gregarious and filled with passion. The A.J. who knows what needs to be done and how to do it.”
    “I’m no different from the next guy. Not really.”
    “A.J.,” David said quietly, “you are vastly different from the next guy, and your inability to see that proves the point. I’ve only known you for a few days, but I’ve seen enough and heard enough from the others here to know that you are motivated by the needs of others and not personal advancement.”
    “You make me sound like a saint. I can assure you that I have needs and that I do think about them.”
    “Of course you do, but do they motivate you? Have they formed your life? Or have the needs of others given you direction?”
    A.J. sat silently chewing at his lip and rubbing his chin with his hand. David wondered if he had been too direct, too pointed, and had now offended his new boss.
    “I think I see what you mean,” A.J. finally said. “But I worry about my ability to carry it off without seeming … forced.”
    “It won’t be forced because you’ll just be being yourself. As far as your ability to pull it off, well, that’s what I’m here for, to write speeches and coach you.”
    “Do you really think it will be useful?”
    “Useful and fun,” David replied. “It’s honest, open, and