First public statement

An Amazon basin tribe, contacted for the first time, issued this statement: "Not the Scotty McClellan we knew. Now leave us alone before we catch something."

Out in public, 2

Walking up to the Registry of Motor Vehicles in Framingham, where there's quite a bit of hostility toward immigrant Brazilians, to renew my driver's license. The strapping sixtyish man in front of me looked back and said, "That's something. Two of us who look like Americans and probably speak English."

"No hablo inglés," I replied, since my Portuguese is limited to 'bom dia' and a few phrases from songs.

Double-take.

"Just kidding."

"Asshole," he said, but he was just kidding, too. After all, I was a white guy.