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Once upon a time, in a political process far, far away, the candidate selection results were known before they were announced to the general public With necessary enhanceates who chose to vote reed over the last twenty years These days, no one knoho’s taking the nomination until the announceuided effort to reinsert drama into a process that has become substantially more cut-and-dried as the years went by Reality television on the grandest of scales

E chairs near the stage, his left hand clasped in both of hers as they watched thecurrent results David Tate was pacing not far away; he shot me a poisonous look as I entered

“Miss Mason,” he said “Looking forfor ,” I said, and continued for the Rymans “Senator Mrs Ryman I hope you’re ready for the results?”

“Ask not for whoravely Then he laughed, releasing his wife’s hand and standing to grasp and shake mine “Whatever the numbers say, I want to thank you and your crew You ed the race, but you made it a hell of a lot more fun for everyone involved”

“Thank you, Senator,” I said “That’s good to hear”

“After Peter’s had a feeeks to rest, all three of you irls would love to meet you Rebecca’s very fond of your reports, especially It would be a real treat for them”

I smiled “We’d be honored But let’s not assume a break just yet”

“Far frolance at Governor Tate Governor Tate’s return look wasn’t a friendly one “I think we’re going to go all the way”

A bell rang as if to punctuate his words, and a hush fell over the convention I stepped back, lifting le

“Let’s see if you mean that,” I said

Over the loudspeaker, the voice of a third-rate celebrity who’d gone from bad sitcoms to convention announcements blared: “And now, the Republican Party’s man of the hour, and the next President of these fabulous United States of America—Senator Peter Ryreet the people!”

The cheers were alave a little squeal that was only half-surprise, and wrapped her ar hi “Well, E, she nodded her agreee The cheers doubled in volume Some of those people wouldn’t be able to talk at all the next day Right then, I doubted any of them particularly cared

Tate stayed where he was, expression blank Before Ienough to get a reaction shot of a o,” IHe had the no the no on the road

My ear cuff beeped three tiency trans “Shaun, what did you—”

Buffy’s voice cut nize it at first “Georgia, there’s an outbreak at the farm”