Game of Pawns

Summary

The transcript tells the story of Glenn Shriver, an American student who falls into a complex situation involving the Chinese government while studying in Shanghai. Initially hired to write papers on Chinese-American relations, he becomes entangled in espionage when offered financial incentives that blur the lines between friendship and manipulation. His journey takes a dramatic turn when he's recruited by the CIA, only to face a polygraph test that exposes his deception. The narrative serves as a cautionary tale about the high stakes of international relations and the personal costs of getting caught in geopolitical games.

Takeaways

• 🌐 The protagonist is passionate about languages and has a deep appreciation for Chinese culture, which leads him to study abroad in Shanghai.
• 🏙️ Shanghai is depicted as a vibrant city that perfectly fits the protagonist's lifestyle, offering a rich cultural experience.
• 💸 The protagonist faces the challenge of needing a job and visa to stay in Shanghai, which sets the stage for his encounters with Chinese officials.
• 📝 He is offered an opportunity to write papers on Chinese-American relations by the Shanghai government, which introduces him to Amanda and Mr. Tang.
• 🤔 The protagonist's views on China are sought after by the Chinese officials, indicating their interest in understanding Western perspectives.
• 💼 The narrative suggests a strategic move by Chinese officials to cultivate relationships with promising young foreigners for potential future benefits.
• 💵 The protagonist is offered financial support under the guise of a 'stipend' or 'scholarship', which raises ethical questions about the nature of this assistance.
• 🔍 The protagonist considers a career with the U.S. State Department but is simultaneously being courted by Chinese officials for potential espionage.
• 🚨 The protagonist's actions escalate from writing papers to considering a more significant role in intelligence, highlighting the blurred lines between friendship and espionage.
• 🛑 The protagonist's decision to quit the CIA interview process and flee indicates a crisis of conscience and the realization of the gravity of his situation.
• 🔒 The script concludes with the protagonist facing legal consequences, underscoring the serious implications of engaging in espionage and the manipulation by foreign agents.

Q & A

What was Glenn Shriver's initial experience with languages and his time in Shanghai?

Glenn Shriver had a passion for languages since middle school, enjoying Spanish, French, and Mandarin. His junior year in college was spent in Shanghai, where he studied language and philosophy, and he found the city to be a perfect fit for him, enjoying its language, culture, nightlife, and people.

What dilemma did Glenn face after his year abroad in Shanghai?

Glenn's dilemma was that he wanted to stay in Shanghai but needed a visa and a job to do so. His friend suggested that no one would hire him without the right visa.

How did Glenn meet Amanda, and what was the nature of their initial interaction?

Glenn met Amanda after responding to an online ad by the Shanghai government seeking American students to write papers on Chinese-American relations. Their initial interaction involved Glenn discussing his views on how the average American views China.

What was the topic of the first paper Glenn wrote for Amanda, and how did he approach it?

The topic of the first paper Glenn wrote was the tensions between China and the United States over North Korea's nuclear program. He approached it with honesty but maintained a neutral tone.

What was the nature of the 'stipend' offered to Glenn by Mr. Tang?

The 'stipend' offered to Glenn was a quarterly sum of money to help with his expenses while in China. It was essentially a scholarship, with the understanding that it should be kept confidential to avoid an influx of similar requests.

What was Glenn's relationship with Amanda like, and did it evolve over time?

Glenn and Amanda became good friends over time, discussing a wide range of topics including life, love, and politics. However, their relationship remained platonic, with Glenn feeling that it was just comfortable.

What was Glenn's reaction to the suggestion of working with the CIA, and how did Mr. Wu frame it?

Glenn was initially surprised and uncomfortable when Mr. Wu suggested he consider applying for work with the CIA. Mr. Wu framed it as a mutually beneficial opportunity, stating that all they sought was information to improve relations between the US and China.

Why did Glenn decide to ask for $40,000 from Mr. Wu, and what was his reasoning?

Glenn decided to ask for $40,000 as a way to test the situation and possibly extricate himself from it. He rationalized that he hadn't actually done anything wrong and that there was a chance the CIA wouldn't accept him, so he could take the money and leave.

How did Glenn handle the polygraph test during his CIA interview, and what was the outcome?

During the polygraph test, Glenn initially denied meeting with representatives of the Chinese government and taking money from them. However, he later admitted to both when prompted again. The outcome was that he decided to quit the interview process, claiming the work wasn't a good fit for him.

What were the consequences Glenn faced after his involvement with the Chinese agents and attempting to join the CIA?

Glenn faced legal consequences for his actions, including conspiracy charges. He also acknowledged the negative effects on his future employment prospects due to being labeled a felon, and he realized the gravity of espionage and the potential risks to people's lives.

Outlines

00:00

🌏 Cultural Exchange and Dilemma in Shanghai

The speaker reflects on their love for languages and their life-changing experience studying abroad in Shanghai. They enjoyed the city's culture, language, and people but faced the reality of needing a visa and job to stay. A government opportunity to write papers on Chinese-American relations presented itself, leading to a meeting with Amanda, where they discussed American perceptions of China.

05:14

💼 Opportunities and Temptations

The speaker's insightful paper on China-U.S. relations impresses Mr. Tang, who offers financial support to help them continue their studies in Shanghai. This 'stipend' is presented as a scholarship, and the speaker forms a close friendship with Amanda and Mr. Tang. They are later offered more money after failing a State Department test, with hints of future favors.

10:15

🤔 The Turning Point: A Meeting with Mr. Wu

After a period of silence, the speaker is introduced to Mr. Wu, a high-ranking official interested in the speaker's potential in international relations. Mr. Wu suggests the speaker consider working for the CIA, implying it would benefit both parties. The speaker, feeling uncomfortable but enticed by the prospect, agrees to a significant payment.

15:16

🏡 A Family Reunion and CIA Interview

Returning to the U.S. with a large sum of money, the speaker visits family and shares their success in China. They prepare for a CIA interview but face a polygraph test that exposes their encounters with Chinese officials. The speaker struggles with the questions, realizing the gravity of their situation.

20:20

🚨 The Consequences of Deception

The speaker decides to quit the CIA process, realizing they are in over their head. They flee but are apprehended by authorities. The narrative concludes with the speaker's realization of the serious implications of their actions, the potential for blackmail, and the lifelong impact of their choices.

25:20

🔍 Reflections on Espionage and Personal Integrity

In the final paragraph, the speaker contemplates the nature of espionage, the active recruitment by foreign agents, and the difficult choices they faced. They express uncertainty about their ability to resist coercion and reflect on the importance of personal integrity in the face of temptation and the high stakes of espionage.

Keywords

💡Visa

A visa is an official document or stamp that allows a person to enter, leave, or stay for a specified period of time in a foreign country. In the video, the protagonist's dilemma revolves around obtaining a visa to stay in Shanghai, which is crucial for his desire to remain in China and continue his studies and lifestyle there.

💡Scholarship

A scholarship is a sum of money or other financial aid given to a student to support their education, often based on academic achievement or other merits. In the script, the protagonist is offered a 'stipend' or 'scholarship' by Mr. Tang, which is a form of financial support to help him with his expenses while in China, but it comes with an expectation of future favors.

💡Espionage

Espionage refers to the act of spying or using spies to obtain secret or confidential information, typically related to national security. The video's narrative involves the protagonist being unwittingly drawn into a situation that has elements of espionage, as he is asked to provide information and write papers that could be used for strategic purposes by a foreign government.

💡Polygraph

A polygraph, commonly known as a lie detector, is a device used to measure and record physiological responses during an interview to determine if the subject is being truthful. In the video, the protagonist is subjected to a polygraph test by the CIA, which becomes a critical moment where he must confront the implications of his actions and the potential consequences of lying.

💡Recruitment

Recruitment in the context of the video refers to the process of enticing or persuading someone to join a cause, organization, or in this case, to engage in espionage. The protagonist is targeted for recruitment by Chinese agents who use financial incentives and appeals to his ambitions to draw him into their network.

💡Non-disclosure agreement

A non-disclosure agreement (NDA) is a legal contract that outlines confidential material, knowledge, or information that the parties involved agree not to disclose to others. In the script, the protagonist is asked to sign an NDA for a test, which is a common practice to ensure secrecy and security, but it also foreshadows the secretive and potentially illicit nature of his involvement with the Chinese agents.

💡State Department

The State Department refers to the United States Department of State, which is responsible for international relations and diplomacy. The protagonist considers applying for a job at the State Department, which would involve working in international relations and potentially using his knowledge of China, but his past actions complicate this path.

💡Blackmail

Blackmail is the act of threatening to reveal embarrassing, disgraceful, or damaging information about a person unless they act in a certain way. The video suggests that the Chinese agents could potentially use blackmail by leveraging the recordings of their meetings with the protagonist to force him to comply with their demands.

💡Pawn

A pawn is a chess piece that is often used to make initial moves and sacrifices in the game. In the video, the protagonist reflects on an old Chinese proverb comparing life to a game of chess, where pawns are often sacrificed. This metaphor is used to describe his situation, where he feels like a pawn being manipulated in a larger geopolitical game.

💡Felony

A felony is a serious crime that is punishable by more than one year in prison. The protagonist fears the consequences of his actions, which could be considered a form of espionage or conspiracy, and worries about the impact of being labeled a felon, including the social stigma and difficulties in finding employment.

Highlights

Passion for languages and studying abroad in Shanghai

Cultural immersion and enjoyment of Shanghai's lifestyle

Unexpected financial support from a friend

Decision to stay in Shanghai and the visa dilemma

Opportunity to write papers for the Shanghai government

Meeting Amanda and starting the writing job

Insights on China from an American perspective

Recognition of China's economic growth and entrepreneurial class

Offer of a stipend to help with expenses

Acceptance of the stipend and the arrangement's confidentiality

Building a friendship with Amanda and discussions on life and politics

Introduction to Mr. Tang and the offer of a scholarship

Interest in working for the State Department

Recruitment by Chinese agents and the proposition to work for the CIA

Decision to accept money from the Chinese agents

The realization of being a pawn in a larger game

The failed polygraph test and the decision to quit the CIA interview

The aftermath of the espionage incident and its impact on future employment

Reflection on the consequences of actions and the reality of espionage

Transcripts

There is an old Chinese proverb "Life is like a game of chess, changing with each move.

And to win the game you must often sacrifice your pawns."

Since my first Spanish class in middle school, I never met a language I didn't like.

Spanish, French, Mandarin—I loved them all.

Junior year in college, I got to live the dream, a year abroad in Shanghai studying

language and philosophy.

What's up, dog?

It was going to be the best year of my life.

Shanghai was amazing.

It fit me like a glove.

I loved everything about it—the language, the culture, the nightlife, the people.

Yeah, she's sweet.

Yeah.

Fear not, my fair-weather friend.

I have the credit card.

Oh, your folks' credit card.

It's for emergencies, and I do believe this qualifies.

Awesome!

Besides, it's my going away party.

Whoa.

What are you talking about?

I'm headed home after the break.

You're kidding me.

Dream's over man, time to face the real world.

This is the real world.

I'm staying.

What are you going to do?

Get a job.

No one is going to hire you.

You've got to have the right visa.

Sorry, man.

No.

The right visa!

So there it was my dilemma.

To stay in Shanghai, I needed a visa and a job.

Then one morning, I spotted an online ad.

The Shanghai government was looking for American students to write papers on Chinese-American

relations.

That's how I met Amanda.

Hi, Glenn.

Yes, Amanda.

Nice to meet you.

Thanks for having me.

Thank you very much for coming.

So how do you think the average American views China today?

I think China is an enigma to many in our country.

There are some who view China with suspicion, even fear, over the way you control your currency

and your people, and quite frankly your fantastic economic growth.

Well, what do you think?

It's complicated, but I found the people here to be remarkably free, and there is a fantastic

entrepreneurial class emerging.

You are a very thoughtful and candid young man, qualities I admire.

We want to make Shanghai the business center of the world.

We want Americans to think of Shanghai first when they expand to China.

To do that we need to know how westerners perceive us as a country and as a city.

So you want me to write about the business climate here?

First, something political.

Use your judgment.

O.K. Cool.

I wrote a paper about the tensions between China and the United States over North Korea's

nuclear program.

I was honest but took a neutral tone.

Thank you, spell check.

I still can't believe you're leaving, man.

You should be writing papers for these guys.

Why?

What are they going to do with them?

Uh, who cares?

It's just an essay.

As long as they pay.

And pay they did.

I wrote a number of papers and each time, Amanda paid me in cash.

Thanks.

Then she invited me to meet her supervisor Mr. Tang in a fancy downtown hotel.

So this is the bright young man I've heard so much about.

Glad to meet you, Mr. Shriver.

Please call me Glenn.

OK, Glenn.

What impressed me most about your paper, Glenn, was your insight into the Chinese mind.

Most westerners make no attempt to truly understand us.

Most westerners have never lived here.

True.

It is the destiny of our two countries to stand together as partners and bring peace

and prosperity to the world.

My generation has made tremendous strides towards this goal, but now it is up to people

like you, the future leaders of the world, to bring this process to fruition.

That's why we would like to help you with your education.

You want to help me?

Yes.

We know that Shanghai is a very expensive city.

We would like to help you by giving you a stipend.

A stipend?

Yes.

A quarterly sum to help you with your expenses while you remain in the country.

Do you want me to write more papers?

Perhaps.

We mainly want you to focus on your studies.

Consider it a...[speaking Chinese]...a scholarship.

Yes, a scholarship.

Your country helps promising students, yes?

We do the same thing.

Will you allow us to help you?

Well, yes.

Thank you.

Excellent.

Please let's keep this arrangement confidential.

We don't want to be flooded with requests.

I understand.

It was $2,500.I was stunned, but what was I going to do, give it back?

It was free money, no strings attached.

I met with Amanda every couple weeks after that.

We became good friends, talked about everything: life, love, politics.

You are lucky Shanghai is a big city, or I'm afraid you'd run out of girlfriends.

Oh, thanks a lot.

I'm not that bad.

So how is school going?

It's hard, but I'm loving it.

Amanda was pretty and smart, but we never went beyond being friends.

It was just comfortable.

Over time, I grew to like Mr. Tang as well.

By the way, I found out I can take the written test for the State Department at the U.S.

Consulate, so, I don't know, I'm thinking about applying for a job there

That would be wonderful.

You are a natural-born diplomat.

They could use your insight into China, and with your language skills, you would almost

certainly come back to us.

You should do it, Glenn.

Yes, you should.

Please read and sign the non-disclosure form on the first page of the test.

It states your understanding that unauthorized disclosure of its contents can result in civil

and criminal penalties.

Do not break the seal until you've signed it and I've told you to begin.

All signed?

You may begin.

It's OK, Glenn.

I've heard the test is very difficult.

Many people fail it the first time.

I'm sure you'll pass if you try again.

I don't know, maybe I'm just not cut out for the State Department.

We know how hard you studied for this test.

Take this with our appreciation.

I can't.

Your State Department may not appreciate such a promising young man like yourself, but we

do.

You can count on our friendship, Glenn.

Thanks.

How can we help you with this test?

What was your problem area?

Well, the geography section was ridiculous...

After that meeting, I didn't hear from Mr. Tang or Amanda for a couple of months.

I was busy in school and I kind of forgot about it.

Then I got a text message from Amanda asking if we could meet.

She was happy to see me, but when we went to see Mr. Tang, there was someone else there,

too.

Glenn.

It's good to see you again.

I have someone special I'd like you to meet.

This is Mr. Wu, one of our top officials in our Shanghai government.

Mr. Wu was an impressive figure and was treated with great deference by Mr. Tang.

He made me feel a little uncomfortable.

I have heard many good things about you, Mr. Shriver, so I wanted to meet you in person.

Thank you.

Please.

We are very interested in the friendship of young Americans who can help us build economic

and political ties between our two countries.

Well, I've always dreamed of working in international relations, so you have my attention.

Good.

We would be very interested in the success of your career.

I understand you are going to take the State Department test again.

Very good .But I wonder have you ever considered applying for work with other agencies?

Um, like what?

Like CIA.

What, um--what exactly are you asking me?

Mr. Shriver, our economies are intertwined.

All we seek is information to improve relations between us.

Working for CIA would be beneficial for both you and us.

Think about it.

(Chinese phrase)

There's an old Chinese proverb--"Life is like a game of chess, changing with each move"...and

the next move was mine.

Mr. Woo, it's Glenn.

Listen.

I'm going to need $40,000 to start.

OK.

Yes, yes.

Whoo!

Why did I do it?

I don't know.

I guess it was just hard to turn off the tap.

It wasn't like I had actually done anything wrong.

There's a good chance the CIA wouldn't even accept me.

I could just take the money and run, but the CIA was interested and asked me to come to

D.C. for an interview.

It was good timing since I was headed home for a visit anyway.

I'd been back to the U.S. many times before> I never tried sneaking in so much as pocket

lint.

Now I was sitting in line at U.S. Customs with $40,000 strapped to my belly.

Next.

Hey, buddy.

Next.

Hey.

How's it going?

Hi.

Passport?

Customs form?

Sir, are you bringing in any food, fruits, any alcohol or tobacco products with you today?

No.

More than$10,000 in currency?

I wish.

So what were you doing abroad?

I told my friends I was leaving the country until the Lions had a winning season.

Lucky you made it back.

Actually I was studying in Shanghai.

All right, sir.

Well, welcome home.

Thank you.

Have a good day.

Thanks, you too.

Next.

I made it.

I was free, and it did feel good to be back.

I had a day to kill before the interview, so I decided to rent a car and went to visit

my dad.

I hadn't seen him in quite some time.

Thought you were in China?

I flew back for an interview with the CIA.

The CIA?

Ha ha ha!I can't believe any son of mine would ever work for the man.

Work for the man?

Dad, I'm going to be the man.

It's good to see you.

Your brother will be happy to see you, too.

Hey, Ted!

Come on in.

So how's your mother?

Eh, the same.

Want a beer?

Sure.

So how you doing?

Eh, you know, getting by.

Where did you get that?

You been robbing Chinese banks?

No.

I opened up an English language school on the sly.

I've been killing it over there.

I want you to have it.

Maybe you can pay off the house.

Ted, get in here!

Well, you may not believe this, but your brother is back, and he brought home the bacon.

Holy crap!

Where the hell did you get all of this cash?

I earned it.

I've been slinging English like crack in China.

Everyone wants to learn it.

Don't look a gift horse in the mouth, son.

Hey, it's good to have my boys together again.

Hey.

It's good to see you, bro.

I felt good that day, as good as I ever had.[Sighs] I was dead tired when I got to my room.

There was an e-mail from the CIA confirming my interview the following morning.[Cell phone

vibrates] And then I got a text from Amanda.

I felt relatively confident going into the interview.

Mr. Shriver.

Yes, right this way.

And then there was the polygraph.

Do you intend to lie at any time during this polygraph test?

No.

Is your name Glenn Shriver?

Yes.

Has a member of a foreign government asked you to be here today?

Shriver: No.

Are you presently in Langley, Virginia?

Shriver: Yes.

Have you ever met with representatives of the government of the People's Republic of

China?

No.

Well, what do you mean by representatives?

Don't all the teachers in China technically work for the government?

Just answer truthfully yes or no to the best of your knowledge.

I'll ask the question again.

Have you ever met with representatives of the government of the People's Republic of

China?

Yes.

Have you ever taken money from representatives of the government of the People's Republic

of China?

No.

OK.

At this time, are there any questions on this test that you would like to change your answer

to?

Yes.

Uh, I mean, uh, no.

How about you take a break, and we'll pick it up after?

OK.

I wasn't prepared for this.

I was in over my head.

What do I do?

What do you mean you quit?

Uh, I--I'm not interested in the position anymore.

That's your option, Mr. Shriver, but I must warn you this isn't going to go away if you

lie during any phase of this process.

I understand that, and that's not it.

I just don't think that this kind of work is a good fit for me, so--I'm sorry to waste

your time.

Come on, man!

Errgh!

As I left the CIA, I was in full panic.

What had I done?

Oh, no, no, no, no.

Damn it.

Yes, sir?

You might want to keep this inside.

Thanks.

Have a good day.

I didn't know where to go, where to turn, but I had to get away.

I booked a flight and made it with minutes to spare.

At this time, the doors have been closed.

Please take your seat and fasten your seatbelts and make sure your seatback and folding trays

are in their upright position.

We will be departing shortly.

I couldn't believe it.

I was actually going to pull it off.

Glenn Shriver, please come with us.

Look.

I made some mistakes, but I didn't really break any major laws.

The courts disagree.

OK.

I understand legally I conspired, but I didn't give them any secrets, and I don't think I

would have even if I got the job.

You might have been a bright young student, Glenn, but you were clueless about the game

you were playing.

We've had our eye on your for some time.

[Camera clicks]

I'm not interested in continuing.

I'd like to quit.

I'm sorry for wasting your time.

He's cooked.

Command post?

This is Special Agent Young.

Agent Hardy?

He quit, walked out of the poly.

OK.

We're on him.

Hey, Joy.

Subject is on the move.

He's departed Langley driving east on 123 in his rental car.

Roger that.

Target acquired.

And do you think the Chinese would have just let you say no?

Don't you think they documented every meeting you had with them?

[Camera clicks] If you didn't give them what they wanted willingly, they would have used

those recordings to blackmail you.

You were just a pawn, one of many.

I'll never be able to work for the U.S. government.

Probably a lot of the major businesses will not be interested in hiring me.

There are definitely a lot of negative effects associated with being a felon.

That's a stigma I'm going to have to, you know, beat down.

They say everyone has their price, and you know, when you're being told "Hey. you don't

have to do anything about it...we just want to be your friend.

Here's $10,000, no big deal."

That's hard to say no to.

Recruitment's going on.

Don't fool yourself.

The recruitment is active, and the target is young people.

Throw lots of money at them, see what happens.

I don't know what I would have done in this situation if everything had gone the way the

Chinese agents foresaw it.

If I was placed in that position, yeah, I'm going to tell you "No.

I would never do that," and I don't think I would.

On the other hand, if I see a video of my 24-year-old self accepting $20,000 and I work

for the CIA, and they're like, "Hey, we've got this video...get us these secrets...it's

not really a big deal...It's just something very small, " I don't know what I would do.

You can talk about what you should have done all day long, but really it only matters what

you did do.

Espionage is a very big deal, very big deal.

You're dealing with people's lives, and that's why it's such a big deal.