Nelson Mandela Action Figure

This doll has been in my collection for a number of years and has rarely ever left his box. He is the talking Nelson Mandela action figure from Timecapsule Toys.

Nelson Mandela was the first democratically elected president of South Africa. This action figure speaks 23 unique phrases.

Here's a close-up. It's a decent likeness to the real Mandela, but he looks more like Morgan Freeman to me.

He is a fully articulated action figure. He wears a very nice 3 piece suit with a lined jacket and vest. He wears socks and he has on boxer shorts under his suit. I love the detail of the handkerchief in his pocket, and he has a nice tie. He can pose very easily and naturally. Here he is seated.

Here's a quick comparison with other action figures. They are from left to right: Tobias Alsford, Samuel Wilson, Nelson Mandela, Curtis, and President Palmer.

Mandela had a lot to say upon being released from his box again, so he borrowed MLK's podium.

Here he is on a previous occasion where he was released from his box, posing with other Presidents (real and fictional) and baby Krissy.

He comes with a stand, and a biographical pamphlet covering President Mandela's life before and during his presidency. He also comes with a certificate of authenticity.

Overall, he's an extremely nice action figure, and I love the company's emphasis on education and discovery of the world's greatest contributors. I love having a male doll that represents an age that is older than most of my dolls. He doesn't leave his box much, and I suppose that's because of the historical significance of the person that he represents. He doesn't look much like the real Mandela, so I suppose I could include him in doll play a little more frequently. On the other hand, he and my Harriet Tubman doll may stay in their boxes watching from the sidelines as my other dolls have all the fun.

***Edited to add this photo showing his articulation. These are the boxers that he comes with. There is a speaker on his chest, and a button to push to hear him speak. He speaks in the real voice of Nelson Mandela. The battery compartment is on his back.

Revealing It All

Nervousness.  That's what Palmer was feeling at that moment as he sat on the couch with Zalika.  He asked himself how he could be nervous in this moment, when he can be so calm and cool when speaking in front of thousands of people.  He put his hand in is pocket where he was keeping the ring that he had purchased for her.  He wanted to ask her right now.  He wanted to skip everything else and just ask her, but he knew that was an emotional response, and he was determined that he would act rationally, as always.

Palmer had known that he wanted to be President one day from a young age.  His father and his uncle (who had been a politician) encouraged him, led him, and gave him advice.  They always stressed to him to think rationally, even when faced with circumstances that would normally elicit a very emotional reaction.  They advised him not to act out in anger, not to ever cry, and not to even express too much joy.  They said that others would see strong emotional reactions as a sign of weakness.  So Palmer had learned from an early age how to compartmentalize his emotions.  He dealt with situations very calmly and rationally, and dealt with the emotional elements later.  Even when Palmer's father had died when Palmer was a young man, Palmer never once cried.  He took care of all of the arrangements, and others commented on how strong he was.  Palmer felt that the most fitting tribute that he could give to his father was to not cry over his death.

So he would have this conversation with Zalika very calmly and very rationally.  He would tell her what to realistically expect going into a relationship with him, and would also give her worse case scenarios.  The time for showing emotions would come late.  And Zalika knew him.  She had seen him angry, sad, and extremely happy.  He felt that he didn't have to hide any part of who he was from her.

Zalika said "So let's get this over with."  Zalika launched into telling Palmer personal details from her past, and Palmer calmly listened.

The things that she told him were mostly things that they had already discussed (in the form of Zalika telling him humorous stories).  There were a few surprises.  He didn't know about the photos that she had taken for a former boyfriend.

Palmer:  You need to tell me his name.
Zalika:  Why?
Palmer:  I need the name.
Zalika:  I haven't even talked to him in I don't know how many years!  I wouldn't even know any of his contact information.
Palmer:  I just need the name.  Trust me on this, okay?
Zalika [hesitantly]:  His name is Calvin...
Palmer:  Write it down for me, please.

Zalika did what Palmer asked.  She did trust Palmer, but the thought of handing him that information made her nervous.  Why did he need that, she wondered. 

Zalika sat quietly for a moment, trying to find the words for what she needed to tell him next.  Palmer said "There's more."  It was more of a statement than a question, but Zalika nodded her head rapidly, and then continued to sit in silence.  

Palmer calmly stated "I know that this is hard, and believe me I wish that we didn't have to have this conversation.  But the reality is, when I run for President, there will be individuals who will make it their mission to dig up dirt on you, and they will use that information to paint you in a negative light.  They will be ruthless in how they find their information.  Interviews with people from your past, school records, even medical records.  They may come up with a partial truth, and they will fill in the rest with lies.  And then you could find yourself in a situation where you can't even address the lie, because then you would have to acknowledge the small amount of truth.  And they will come up with horrendous headlines in order to sell papers or get hits on their sites.  If you've ever tried drugs, they will call you an addict.  If you've ever been treated for depression, they will call you mentally ill or crazy.  If you've ever terminated a pregnancy, they will call you..."  Palmer stopped, but Zalika filled in the blank by quietly saying "Babykiller" as she stared into Palmer's eyes.  He looked at her and said "They will call you that, and worse."

In that moment, Zalika knew that Palmer was already privy to information that no one was supposed to ever know about her, and he'd had that information before she'd had a chance to tell him.  Her eyes immediately welled up with tears.  Of course they had run a background check on her, why wouldn't they?  Palmer sometimes talked about the background checks that would routinely run  on others who came close to him, why not her?  Zalika began to cry. 

Palmer immediately put his arms around her and pulled her close.  He felt so helpless in that moment.  He would've done just about anything to wipe away her pain, so knowing that he was the cause was particularly difficult.  He told her "You know I would never have ordered a background check on you.  It's my people...it's just what they do.  I trust you.  You've never lied to me"  He felt her nod her head.  He said "None of that stuff matters to me.  Nothing that you've said and nothing that they've said have changed my feelings for you.  You are not alone in this.  I'm right here with you.  You know that I will defend you.  You know that I will try my best to prevent others from trying to trash your name.  You know that!"

Zalika raised her head and spoke.  "If you defend me, for some people that will be the same as saying that you condone everything that I've ever done.  It could become a distraction in your campaign.  You would lose votes because of me, and I just couldn't live with myself knowing that!" 

Palmer spoke calmly and reassuringly to Zalika, and told her that it would all be okay, that things would be difficult at times, but that everything would all work out.  Zalika kept shaking her head.  "I can't.  I just can't."

"What if you didn't run for President?  What if you remained in politics, but just did not run for President?"  Zalika heard her own voice saying those words, but could not believe they had actually come out of her mouth.  Palmer looked like he crumpled a little upon hearing those words.  He felt a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach.  "I've wanted to be President since I was 10 years old.  I've been groomed for politics since I was a child.  I've spent my life trying to make the right decisions and trying to align myself with the right people.  I feel with ever fiber of my being that I am on the right path, and that things are working out in such a way for a reason.  Being President is more than just an aspiration for me, I feel that it is my destiny.  I have to at least try."  Zalika said "I know, and I believe that you will win."

Zalika stood up and Palmer looked startled.  He said "This doesn't have to be the end for us.  I'm not running for President right away."  Zalika said "I can't be in a relationship that has an expiration date.  This is too hard."  Palmer stood up and took Zalika in his arms.  "I don't..." he heard his voice tremble, so he took a moment, cleared his throat, and started again.  "I don't want to lose you.  I love you."

Zalika had often imagined what it would be like the first time she heard the words "I Love You" from Palmer.  She had always known that he loved her, he said it in so many ways other than just those 3 little words.  Never had she imagined that the first time she would hear him say the actual words would be as they were saying goodbye.  Zalika said "And I love you.  I've loved you since the day we met, and I never believed that was even possible until I met you.

Palmer held Zalika close, and he kissed her.  She kissed him back, and then tearfully said "Goodbye, Palmer.  You will always have my vote."

---

Palmer and Zalika have been dealing with a lot of pain since the break-up.  Check out their latest video, "Unbreak My Heart" (with vocals by yours truly).

Next Steps

Part of Palmer's success is due to his ability to anticipate the thoughts and actions of others, and to plan his own actions several steps ahead.  He thought of it like a game of chess - he not only had to anticipate his opponent's next move, but the move after that, and the one after that, as many steps ahead as he could.  He thought of Zalika as a partner, not an opponent, but he felt that he knew what her next step would be, and he would be prepared.

Palmer anticipated that he and Zalika would have a difficult conversation, but that ultimately Zalika would say that she wanted for them to be together, no matter what, and Palmer felt the same way.  So Palmer had decided that he would propose at that moment.  He slipped out of the office a little early one day and visited a local jeweler to pick out just the right engagement ring.  He hadn't been there long when he saw William entering the store.  He muttered "Damn" under his breath.

William was one of Palmer's top political advisers, known as a brilliant political strategist.  William's experience, connections, and analytical skills had proven beneficial to Palmer time and time again.  Palmer had felt fortunate when William had taken an interest in his career early on.  One thing that William is not known for is his subtlety, and Palmer appreciated that as well.  When others would offer a breath mint, William would flat out say "Your breath stinks."  In his position, Palmer was surrounded by "yes" men and women, and he appreciated having someone who could bluntly say what others wouldn't.  Which is why he did not want to see William at this particular moment.

As William approached, Palmer asked "How did you know that I was here?"  William said "Do you really even need to ask?"  Palmer told William that he was not interested in what he had to say.  William told Palmer that the reason is because he knows that William is there to tell him the truth.

William:  You're making a big mistake.
Palmer:  I don't think so.
William:  You know that they will rip her to shreds.
Palmer:  They can try it.  I will defend her to my last breath.
William:  I know that you will, and that will make you vulnerable.  Has she told you about...
Palmer:  It hasn't come up.
William:  So she hasn't told you?
Palmer:  It's not as if she's hiding it, it just hasn't come up.
William:  If she hasn't told you, then she's hiding it. 

Palmer thought back to when he and Zalika had met and started dating.  He did not order the background check on her, but he knew that his people would run one on Zalika, because that's what they do.  It was William who had told him the findings.  Palmer didn't hear anything that had changed his feelings for Zalika, and he never told her about the background check.

William:  Look, she's a lovely woman.  Smart, charming, successful, funny as hell.  I know what she means to you.  Under normal circumstances, I would say that she is perfect for you.  But YOU are on track to become the PRESIDENT!  These are not normal circumstances!

Palmer explained to William that he understood that William's preference would be for him to meet a woman with a particular pedigree, particularly one with political affiliations that could benefit Palmer.  Palmer reminded William that he had dated women like this before meeting Zalika, and had been bored by them. Meeting Zalika and making a connection with her had been the most wonderful surprise of his life.  She excited him, understood him, comforted him, made him laugh, and so much more.  She was his partner, and he felt that he could face anything with her by his side.  Palmer said when he's elected as President, the job will be for 8 years maximum.  Palmer said that he will have a lot more life to live after that, and wants that life to be a happy one.  Zalika makes him happy.

William asked Palmer if he remembered when their associate Sutton had said that Zalika was a bit manly.  Palmer immediately frowned and tensed up and said "He was WAY OUT OF LINE with that comment!"  William said "You wanted to punch him in the face right then and there, didn't you?"  Palmer said "HELL YEAH I wanted to punch him in the face!"

William said "See, this is what I'm talking about.  Think of how you're feeling right now, and multiply those feelings by 1,000.  They are going to say things about her that are so much worse than what Sutton said.  They want to distract you and make you vulnerable to your emotions.  And when you defend her, they will attack you and use your own words against you."

Palmer turned his attention to the salesperson, who droned on and on about the cut, color, clarity, and carat weight of the ring that Palmer had asked to see.  Palmer purchased the ring.  William shook his head..

William:  You need to let her know what she's in for.
Palmer:  She knows.
William:  Does she?  Does she REALLY know?  Or have you been sugar-coating things because you don't want her to be hurt?  Do you want ME to talk to her?
Palmer:  Oh, no!
William:  You need to be frank with her.  Be brutally honest.  Right now she probably has romantic notions in her head about how wonderful it will be when you're both living in the White House and how you'll live happily ever after.  You need to let her know that there are wolves out there who will relentless seek to destroy you both at every turn.  Can you do that?
Palmer:  Of course.
William:  I know you, and I know that you want to protect her more than anything, and shield her from pain.  Being with you is going to HURT, and the only way that you can protect her from that is to let her go.

Weak

Who remembers Palmer and Zalika?

The last time we heard from them, they were on their way to Rod and Danielle's reception after having an intense and drama-filled trip to Morristown and attending the wedding with co-travelers Darius and Adele.  Here's a reminder for you:

Rebounding to Morristown

Tense Ride

Things come to light

Here and Now

Heart to Heart

Raise Your Glass

Where do we go from here?

Since returning, Palmer and Zalika have been inseparable, and their relationship has been as intense and as passionate as ever.  But Zalika soon learned that dating a politician can be complicated.  For instance, Palmer has always stressed a need for discretion.  For Palmer, that means having control over what the media prints about him, so it is particularly important to keep his romantic life out of the headlines.  For Zalika, this means that there is a barrier.  This means that they can hang out together and with small groups of friends, they can vacation together (usually traveling to the destination separately), and this means that on those huge occasions where she really wants to be by his side, she is in the background, away from media scrutiny.

And for a while, that was okay.  For all the time that they spent apart, they seemed to make up for it when they did get together.  They had incredible vacations together, even if they did have to travel to the destinations separately.

Once, they were actually able to travel together because Palmer had access to a private plane.  That trip was particularly memorable for them both.

And it wasn't as if Palmer was keeping her a secret.  Palmer's friends have known Zalika almost from the beginning, and Zalika is invited to small social affairs, as long as there is no chance that the media will be present.  

Zalika doesn't discuss her relationship with Palmer with very many of her friends.  She is careful who she shares information with, especially since her friends may not understand their relationship.  Her friend Nina knows about the 2 of them has asked on more than one occasion "I saw Palmer's picture in the paper at that event... where were you?"  Zalika had replied that she was there, but that she and Palmer are not letting the media know that they are a couple.  Nina said "You said what you would NEVER be in a relationship where a guy hides you away from the people in his life!"  Zalika had explained that Palmer is not keeping her a secret, they just don't want the world to know.  Nina responded "So you're not a secret to a few people, but you are a secret to the rest of world.  That just sounds weak to me."

In the past, it had been easier to dismiss her friend's comments.  Now it was quite a bit more difficult.  The prospect of talking to Palmer about their relationship and about their future scared her a little, because she did not want to lose what they had.  On the other hand, if this was a relationship with no real future, she had to know that.  She invited Palmer over and they talked for hours.

Palmer has this way about him that is so charming and so slick, and he has a way of getting people to do what he wants and making them think that it was their idea.  Zalika knew this about him and admired that quality, but she was determined not to fall for that (at least not this time).  She needed real answers.  Palmer was very attentive and reassuring and let her know that her concerns were definitely valid.  But this is what it all came down to.

Palmer said  "I'm willing to take our relationship to the next level.  I've lived the majority of my adult life under media scrutiny, and I've grown accustomed to it.  For us to be completely open about our relationship would be freeing in a lot of ways, but it will be stifling in other ways.  As you know, I have very high political aspirations.  Right now, all you really have to worry about is the local media.  Think about what will happen when I run for President.  Are you ready for the background checks that my political enemies will run on you, and how they will spin the information that they find to your detriment, just to get at me?  Are you ready for reporters to interview your friends from high school and college, trying to find your deepest secrets?  Are you ready for the betrayal you'll feel when your old friends sell your secrets to the tabloids to earn a few bucks?  Are you ready to have reporters going through your garbage?  That's just a little bit of what will happen."

Zalika paused for a bit, and then opened her mouth to speak.  Palmer said "Don't answer me now.  Think about it for a while.  REALLY think about it.  And then, let me know what you want to do."

It's been a mild summer, but Palmer and Zalika are heating things up in this video!  Check it out, unless you are easily offended, in which case you should avert your eyes.

Rebounding to Morristown

Darius and Adele were invited to attend the wedding of Rod and Danielle, but broke up prior to the big event.  While devastated by the break-up, Adele wanted to go to the wedding to support her friends.  Although she would not admit it, she also wanted to impress all of the guests, so that word would get back to Darius that she has moved on and that she is doing (and looking) great.  She invited Palmer to be her date for the event.

Darius heard about Adele bringing a date and, not to be outdone, decided to bring a date of his own.

Darius and Adele had already paid for a limousine to transport them to Morristown for the wedding.  The couples agreed to share the limo and ride together.  This should prove to be a very interesting ride!