In a suite at the Willard InterContinental Hotel, Washington D.C.
Leo was chowing down on a double cheeseburger.
Across from him, Mark had only a cup of black coffee.
He cradled the cup with both hands but didn't drink, his expression tense as he stared at the dark liquid rippling gently inside.
"You should eat something, Mark." Leo swallowed, then wiped his hands with a napkin.
"I can't eat." Mark's voice was strained. "Leo, are we really doing this? Confronting Montoya and Cres directly?"
"We're not confronting them." Leo stood and walked to a mirror, picking up a navy blue tie and beginning to knot it. "We're going to negotiate a partnership."
He watched Mark's tense posture in the reflection.
"Are Matthew and Gary all lined up?"
"All lined up." Mark nodded. "Counting our people, plus the ones you secured in Pennsylvania, we now hold a total of 22 votes. They've all signed a letter of allegiance, pledging to support the nuclear power bill."
"Good."
