"Your Honor, this is insanity! We've made it through economic troubles before, but I'm afraid that this is too severe! If we sign this bill we might as well be signing our own resignations! The only way we can make it through this is if we - ." Chancellor Davies's voice became inaudible as more council members began to shout. We had been stalled in arguments for the past hour and a half. I glanced over at Charles who was staring down at the bill in question. He tiresomely rubbed his face as the group of angry members started to scream even louder than before. Finally, I could take no more.
"ALRIGHT STOP IT!" I said as I flew out of my chair and pounded on the desk with the gavel.
The speaker system made an ear piercing ring as the entire council room filled with silence. Most of parliament had gotten used to my harsh temper and unorthodox way of doing things, and thus were not surprised by my outburst; but I knew that the only way we would get out of this room is if we, including me, all stayed calm and collected.
I sat back down in my chair, picked up my speech, and bent the microphone toward me.
"Now, It's obvious that we all feel differently about this new bill, but Her Majesty and I feel that this is necessary to, shall we say, lift this kingdom out from beneath the piles of debt we are currently. . . Oh, for god sakes, just forget it!" I balled up my speech and threw it towards the irritated crowd who were starting to protest again. I continued my rampage. "The bill goes into effect Monday! Anyone of you that has a problem with it, take it up with Her Majesty! Now go, all of you!" Apparently that "Cool and collected" plan didn't work out so good.
Then, Charles came over.
"Well that was just smashing now wasn't it." He said sarcastically.
"I'm just sick of them all. Most of them begged me for their positions and this is the way the thank me. Idiots!" I said watching them pour out of the council room.
Charles and I went out to the parking lot and got in the car that would take me back to 10 Downing Street.
"Have you thought about how this will effect public services? The first part of the bill alone will call for the suspension of most of the energy workers' jobs, and I know that Felzben already has our names on his personal hit list."
I snickered a little then stared out the window. "It's only temporary. If Felzben and the other twelve million people in Britain want to launch some bloody vendetta against parliament then let them. We have to make cuts somewhere Charles." I said as Charles glanced down at his loafers. That was his indirect way of saying that I was wrong.
The car pulled up to the curb as I grabbed my suitcase. "Goodnight Charles."
"Goodnight Prime Minister."
The car drove off.
I unlocked the door and quietly went inside. My wife, Anna, had waited up for me.
"It's almost midnight. How was the meeting?" She asked.
"One bad bill followed by a typhoon of arguments from every side. I'm starting to feel trapped" I said as I poured some wine.
"Is this the only way Ben?" Anna asked as she grabbed two glasses.
"It's the only thing that can get us out. We've tried lowering the budget but in the state that were in, that only provides a quick-fix. We need a complete repair."
After a while, we went to bed, but I couldn't sleep. I needed to get away from it all, so I decided to drive to my home county of Kent. In fact I drove until I hit the Channel. I drove until I found a nice secluded beach and starred out at the Dungeness Nuclear Power Station. I began to read the notes from the Bill and asked myself "Is this the beginning of the end?". That question is still lingering through my mind.
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