In 1959, Burns joined the State Department as an officer of the United States Foreign Service. Burns speaks German, French, Italian, and some Russian in addition to English, and he spent several years working in Turkey and Bonn, Germany. Burns is disappointed when he is sent to Washington in 1965 to work for the CIA since the State Department has been asked to cut its budget, and the agency needs to be more funded. At the CIA, Burns spends his time translating and summarizing political documents from overseas. One of his projects includes monitoring a small African nation's political and economic standing in turmoil and close to bankruptcy. Burns finds this work somewhat exciting but needs to take it more seriously, preferring instead his adventures abroad and reminiscing often about his days in Europe.

It is only a short time until the small African country is overthrown by rebels, and Burns finds himself meeting with the Army general and representatives from the State Department. While the diplomat from the State Department recommends America not intervene in the situation since their country has little to gain from the tiny nation, Burns and the Deputy Director argue that American men should be sent to scope out the problem. The American civilians are soon sent and find the country quiet and relatively peaceful.

Because of Burns's success in the meeting, he is promoted to work in Latin America. However, the promotion is still within the CIA, and Burns always intended to return to the State Department. Burns is told that the job will guarantee he is successful and financially well-off, and Burns responds that he will consider it and get back to them.