“I will begin with individual conversation  with other party leaders,” DeWitt announced.  “After lunch.  It is late, I missed breakfast again, and hungry negotiators are bad negotiators.  Please send text to my number two, Daphne Mueller, with any times you cannot meet.” And if there are any, she thought, and your voters find out, they will be highly displeased.   “Actual order will be drawn by lot.”

$$$$$

Elektra DeWitt surveyed the remains of her lunch.  The lamb shoulder chop had been properly buried in garlic and coriander.  The caesar had a more than adequate stock of anchovies.  Sliced baby potatoes were drenched in sour cream.  Soon the last asparagus stalk would be joining its fellows.  Desert would wait until negotiations were over.

“Elektra, actual phone call from a party leader,” Daphne Mueller said.  “Friedrich TerHorst, National Front.  He said he understands his party can’t join your government, and you can’t meet with him but…”

“Manners suggest I should take the call,” Elektra answered, “though what he thinks he can get is unclear.”  She took the handset.  “Ah, Friedrich, Elektra here, I hope you are well, if probably less busy than I am.”

“Madame DeWitt, I am most honored that you took my call,” TerHorst said.  “I realize you cannot bargain with me, not and be able to bargain with anyone else. However, on one hand, at this point we actually need a government, which hopefully you will organize effectively.  Once the National Renaissance survivors and their allies reorganize, they will try to block your initial vote of confidence.  I know this because they have already asked us to join in their effort.”

“I see,” Elektra said.  “Someone was certainly fast off the mark.”

“Winthrop Cooper called me early this morning,” TerHorst answered.  “I told him he was being defeatist.  After all, the charges against Drummond McLaren were very complicated, party loyalty among his people and allies is strong, so one might have expected the idiot to resign and some sockpuppet to take his place, possibly someone from the National Democrats so the NatRens appeared contrite.  He said that no, the situation was totally hopeless, Cedric’s government had totally collapsed, and the best that could be done is to keep you away from the Speaker’s podium.  But that’s not why I called.”