A few minutes later, he called his devotees upstairs for a quick interview. During this trip, unlike his previous visit in 1952, Baba was not averse to publicity, and Ivy Duce and Bernard J. O. Carvalho, a director of public relations and former reporter who was helping Ivy publicize God Speaks , had arranged television and press interviews at every stop. Baba now immersed himself in discussing these interviews with them. He discussed the arrangements of his tour with Marion, who on behalf of the committee had collected funds for his airfare around the world from lovers in America. Baba also met privately with several old disciples.
Baba and the mandali had spent a sleepless night on the plane from London, but when Ivy suggested that he rest, Baba quipped, "I haven't rested since I left Satara, and I won't rest until I drop my body."
At one o'clock in the afternoon, Baba came down the elevator. Jeanne Shaw was waiting there, and Baba took her hands and allowed her to kiss his cheek. She was given some of Baba's clothes to wash. Baba went to the rooms on the mezzanine reserved for giving interviews, which had been beautifully decorated by Jeanne. On a divan (belonging to the hotel) procured by Energy's husband, Harry "Mickey" A. Florsheim, a beautiful white spread (belonging to Annarosa Karrasch) was placed and then banked with flowers. For prasad, a bowl of seedless Thompson grapes had been placed by Baba's divan.
Before the five-minute interviews began, Baba called in the workers and close ones.
He stated: "I am very happy to meet you all today. I give my love to you all. I know that you all love me. It is because of my love for you that you love me. If you can love me more and more, then there will come a day when you will Realize me as I am. I am not this physical form. I am the Ocean — the Unlimited Ocean of Love. Try to love me more and more and you will know me."
As they were leaving, Baba teased Margaret, "All have learned to love Baba except yourself!"
"Except me?" she replied. "But Baba, you are my teacher. You have not taught me. You ought to teach me!"
"I love you very much," Baba gestured.
The interviews then began. Everyone waited outside, and Ella Winterfeldt checked off each one's name in her interview book as they went inside to meet Baba privately.