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"Let's keep it a select club, shall we?"

"Whatever you say, Mr President"

"I deeply appreciate your bringing this matter to my attention, Mr Pitt"

"Would you like me to pursue it?"

"No, I think it best if we drop the treaty back in its coffin for now There is no purpose in dadom I see it as a simple case of what nobody knoon't hurt them"

"John Essex would have agreed"

"And you, Mr Pitt, would you agree?"

Pitt closed his briefcase and stood up "I'ineer, Mr President I steer well clear of political involvement"

"A wise course," said the President with an understanding smile "A wise course indeed"

Five seconds after the door closed behind Pitt, the President spoke into his intercoraph" He settled behind his desk and waited

Soon after taking up residence in the White House he had ordered a holographic communications system installed in his office He took an al his cabinet members'

expressions, body movements and outward emotions while he visually talked to them miles away

The three-die of a ray pinstripe suit materialized in the middle of the oval office He was seated in a leather executive chair

Douglas Oates, the secretary of state, nodded and soes the battle?"

"Douglas, how iven away to Britain since nineteen fourteen?"