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"Not at all, Mr President," said Mercier "I can use the exercise"

Klein peered around the indoor pool roo pool I understand the last president who used it was Jack Kennedy"

"Yes," replied the President "Nixon had it covered over and held press conferences here Me, I'd rather swi reporters"

Mercier grinned "What would the Washington press corps say if they heard you refer to the horde?"

"Strictly off the record" The President laughed "What say we break in the new hot tub? The work it yesterday "

They settled into a small circular area built into the shallow end of the pool The President turned on the circulating purees Fahrenheit As the water heated, Mercier felt sure he was being scalded to death He began to sympathize with lobsters

Finally the President relaxed and said, "This is as good a place as any to conduct business Suppose you gentley situation"

"The news looks grience sources have learned that it was a parliamentary minister, Henri Villon, who ordered the blackout from James Bay"

"Villon" The nah it had a bad taste "He's that double-talking character who bad-mouths the United States every time he buttonholes a reporter

"The same," replied Mercier "There's talk he may run for President of the new Quebec republic"

"With Guerrier dead, there is an ugly chance he ht win," added Kleii

A frown crossed the President's face "I can't think of anything worse than Villon dictating price and supply policies for James Bay and the new oil discovery by NUMA"

"It's frustrating as hell," grumbled Mercier He turned to Klein "Is the reserve as vast as Admiral Sandecker predicts?"

"He came in on the low side," Klein answered "My experts went over NUMA's computer data It appears ten billion barrels is closer to the ht"

"How is it possible the Canadian oil companies missed it?"