so she said i think he lives in the virginia, maryland, d.c. area. and so you ought to start your search there. so i got out phone books for like four straight days. it s a fairly common name. eugene allen. and i just started cold calling every eugene allen in, say, you know, all of the neighboring cities i mean towns outside of d.c., virginia, maryland. because if he was catching a taxicab, then i just said, well, he must live in the region. and on the 57th call, a gentleman answers the phone. i say my name is wil haygood. i m a reporter for the washington post and i m looking for mr. eugene allen, who i think worked at the white house with three administrations. he said i am that eugene allen. however, i worked for eight administrations. from harry truman to ronald reagan.