Brasilia, built in haste and dedicated in confusion, was now facing the morning after. The air conditioning in the bowl-and-dome-shaped Congress would not work; phones and elevators were out of order; only four ministry buildings were ready for occupancy. Government press headquarters had not a single typewriter; high officials tried to make do without files, without secretaries or messenger boys.
When a torrential rain turned the crust of dust to gumbo, Brazil's officials gave up and retreated. Back to Rio went Finance Minister Sebastião Paes de Almeida, leaving behind an eight-man outpost....
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