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The President sat in thoughtful silence

"We banked on endless reserves that do not exist," Mercier continued "And while our country consuhbors to the north went ahead and did so about it We had no option but to tap their source"

"Are their prices in line?"

Mercier nodded "The Canadians, bless their souls, have kept rates on a par with our oer companies"

"A glimmer of sunshine after all"

"There's a catch"

The President sighed

"We have to face the unpleasant fact," Mercier went on, "that Quebec expects to pass a referendum for full independence by summer"

"Prime Minister Sarveux has slammed the door on the Quebec separatists before You don't think he can do it again?"

"No, sir, I don't Our intelligence sources claim that Premier Guerrier of the Parti quebecois has the votes to make it stick next time around"

"They'll pay a high price to break away from Canada," the President said "Their economy is alre+dy in chaos"

"Their strategy is to rely on the United States to prop up their government"

"And if we don't?"

"They can either raise electrical rates to an outrageous level or pull the plug," Mercier answered

"Guerrier would be a fool to shut off our power He knoe'd retaliate with massive economic sanctions"