Only one question had to be asked of Vice Mayor Thomas Small, the portrait of an accomplished rhetorical artist who specializes in imagery:

Did the trip reach expectations  — the recent 11-day mission City Hall’s top three executives undertook to Capo d’Orlando, Sicily, to evaluate Capo as Culver City’s prospective next Sister City?

“Oh, boy, it was mind-blowing,” Mr. Small began.

“Just the reception we had from our hosts in Capo d’Orlando was so extraordinary.

“Absolutely joyous, the time that we spent there.”

Vice Mayor Small teamed with Mayor Jeff Cooper and immediate past Mayor Jim Clarke, along with Culver City Sister City executives, to introduce and muscularize relations between the two distant communities.

“I know Capo d’Orlando and Culver City have things in common,” Mr. Small said. “But there are vast differences as well.”

His enthusiasm for the City Councilmen’s pleasurable chore volleyed through each sentence, elevating the excitement Mr. Small was conveying.

“We are so different,” he said. “There was this wonderful cross-cultural thing.

“You are entering this relationship, which might become a sort of heritage.”

The vice mayor laughed softly.

“There was a feeling that both sides are marrying up.

“It was like they are so happy with what we bring them, and we were just a-stounded to see all the stuff they bring us.