Unlike the other days, Constantine isn't by her desk today.
The light in the room stays off.
She has her back to the door, facing the window. Daylight slowly permeates into the dark room through the rigid marble windows.
Committee Member Ⅰ: It's Pedra.
Constantine: Come in.
Committee Member Ⅰ: I'm here to report the situation so far.
Committee Member Ⅰ: Some neutral parties have tilted in favor of the draft.
Constantine: How many?
Committee Member Ⅰ: Not a lot of them, but enough to make the votes even.
Committee Member Ⅰ: They have always pursued revolution in the Foundation. Looks like Mark has finally persuaded them.
Committee Member Ⅰ: I heard Ms. Z has been working hard on canvassing, too.
Constantine: ...
Committee Member Ⅰ: But the number of the conservatives remains the same. We don't have to worry about that.
Committee Member Ⅰ: I believe we will still prevail in the final vote days later.
Constantine: What about the other groups?
Committee Member Ⅰ: Still functioning as usual, nothing special.
Committee Member Ⅰ: By the way, Bernard and his men paid a visit to SPDM. I didn't get to talk to them.
She turns back to face the window.
Constantine: Thank you for the report.
Committee Member Ⅰ: ...
Constantine: She has never been so persistent.
Constantine: Do you know why she's been so different this time, Pedra?
Committee Member Ⅱ: I didn't realize you had time to invite me to play table tennis.
Committee Member Ⅱ: Or ... are you actually here to lobby, Madam Z?
Z: Heh heh ... I'll say both, Katz.
Z: Back then when I was a student, I'd often invite my classmates to play ping-pong after we left the laboratory.
Z: A cold shower after getting soaked in sweat is a piece of memory I can't forget.
Committee Member Ⅱ: Heh heh ... you remind me of the old days in the table tennis varsity.
Committee Member Ⅱ: You're the only one I can practice with here.
Committee Member Ⅱ: Serve it, Madam Z.
Committee Member Ⅱ: Let's compete.
COMBAT
Committee Member Ⅱ: Hahaha ...! Backhand chop? Great, great.
She nimbly picks up the white ball and bows.
Committee Member Ⅱ: Again. Ready to go!
Z: Hey!
Committee Member Ⅱ: Nice shot!
Madam Z strikes. The little ball flies over the net in an extremely low parabola, and goes into the unguarded corner of the table.
Katz turns her body to one side, striking the ball back confidently.
Z: We're planning to revise some articles in the draft.
Committee Member Ⅱ: Which articles?
Z: The articles about strengthening the control of registered arcanists.
Z: You're right. We do need to improve the credibility of the Foundation in the outside world.
Committee Member Ⅱ: Tell me more.
Z: The Timekeeper's power to discipline should be transferred back to the School of Discipline and the Foundation.
Z: The Foundation will conduct a unified risk assessment on arcanists.
Z: To ensure this team is always under control.
Committee Member Ⅱ: But in fact it still belongs to the Timekeeper, right?
Z: That is our minimum requirement and it will not change.
Committee Member Ⅱ: Heh heh ...
Committee Member Ⅱ: I didn't expect you to compromise.
Z: It's not a compromise. It's a reasonable amendment to the draft.
Z: Transferring the power of education and discipline to the Foundation will help lower the budget and reduce the pressure on Vertin.
Committee Member Ⅱ: And you would even lobby an opponent, me, for this amendment.
Z: A reasonable appeal shouldn't be rejected just because it is raised by a different faction.
Z: The Foundation needs solidarity, not contradiction.
Z: If the draft is meant to pass, I will do whatever I can to make it meet most expectations.
Z: Just like this ping-pong game …
Z: Friendship first, competition second.
Z: Legislation shall serve the people.
Committee Member Ⅱ: You have my vote, Madam Z.
Z: Heh heh ... A vote is not the only thing I need, Katz.