Days later
Chairwoman: Constantine.
Constantine, sitting behind the rostrum, looks up. She takes off her reading glasses and closes the book in her hand.
Constantine: Has the voting started?
Constantine: You see, here is the number of votes I have estimated. The pro-drafts will lose by five votes to their opponent.
Constantine: Don't forget our bet.
Constantine: The one who loses will pay for the new stamps.
Chairwoman: The final vote is not today ... I'm afraid.
She has a complicated look on her face.
Chairwoman: Z's speech is still ongoing.
Chairwoman: She has just started the part on Article 3, Section 5 of the rules of procedure ...
Chairwoman: But the speech has already lasted seven hours.
Chairwoman: Even some delegates have left.
Constantine: What ...
She smiles, surprised.
Constantine: A filibuster?
Chairwoman: Yes, and Katz's speech will be right after that.
Chairwoman: So I guess the final vote won't start until tomorrow.
Constantine: ...
Chairwoman: That won't make a difference. Delaying the vote won't change the result.
Constantine sighs.
Constantine: sighs We don't know yet.
Constantine: I didn't expect that she would be trying so hard.
Constantine: But for me, this is not necessarily bad news.
Constantine: The filibuster will only have two outcomes.
Constantine: It is either one of the parties wins over two-thirds of support and gains victory, or both parties get stuck in a tug of war.
Constantine: If this tug of war doesn't end with a clear outcome, the Storm Reformation will end up completely dead and forbidden to be discussed within five years.
Constantine: Are the stakes ... getting too high?
Someone trots over from the doorway. As he comes up to them, he bends over so that only Constantine can hear him.
Chief of Staff: Madam Vice President.
Chief of Staff: Mr. President came back from the Pax House.
Constantine: ...!
Constantine: I will go see him now.
Chief of Staff: He is waiting for you in the office.
It has been over a year since they last met.
Constantine quickly trots along the hallway.
The window is clear enough to give reflections. She stops and fixes her collar.
The door is left half open.
Constantine: Mr. President …
Constantine: Good day to you, sir. May the peace be with us.
President: May the peace be with us.
Constantine: Are you feeling better these days?
President: I can still hang in for a few years. Thank you.
Constantine: Are they doing alright?
President: Just as usual. Nothing to worry about.
He gives Constantine a small wave in the shadow.
She walks up to him.
President: I'll stay in the Foundation these months.
President: The agenda is well arranged.
President: There is something more important that I must tell you in person.
Constantine nods, and bends over to listen.
The shadow of the president casts on her.
The rusty, feeble words are difficult to catch, but the meaning of every word makes her eyes wide open out of shock.
Constantine: ...!
Constantine: This, is their judgment?
President: Yes.
Constantine: ...
Constantine: Then ... I have no objection to it.
She slowly resumes standing, then retreats for a few steps and almost falls on the floor.
President: Hold tight, my friend.
She supports herself by the file cabinet.
Constantine: Excuse me.
Constantine: I have to admit I was surprised.
Constantine: Thank you for telling me this.
