Senator to Senator (Pineapple)

[Lemur, The Kool-Aid Guy]

Senator Uranibask Bahradr was in the Galactic Senate, speaking from his particular platform, the home to the delegation from the Sluis sector, of which he was the only speaking member at the moment.

"I pressssent today the proposssed tax revisions and policy on tariffssss that the Waysss and Meansss Committee hassss approved, and issss now ready for the Ssssenate to vote on.

To begin with, there isss a proposed 2% ssssalessss tax addition acrosssss the Republic to finance the war effort. We believe it will enable further war production that will enable the Republic to regain the offenssssive in the war. Additionally, we proposssse lowered tariffssss on goodsss from independent worldsss, to fossster trade. We mussst prove the Republic issss a better trade partner than the Ssssith Empire. Assss we all know from the current tax code, sssection 2.173 of addendum 4.3..."

The Slussi Senator continued on with his excessively long speech, all but guaranteeing that anyone listening would be asleep by the time he finished. Sadly, very few shared his... interest in tax code and economic policy.

For some strange reason people found the endless layers of bureaucracy to be somehow boring and undesirable. Of course for Uranibask it was vastly superior to anything else, a sort of high and noble form of Enlightenment and function.

Everything moved smoothly in one large machine, like an enormous ancient clock with gears and cogs. Or like any piece of modern technology really. It was all exact and formulated, like a piece of art.

Senator Bahradr finished his speech and waited for the session to close, which happened not long thereafter. Once it did, he slithered out from the main chamber, his serpentine body carrying him flush with the ground out into the warm sunlight before a window.

He rested there for a few minutes in silence, staring out the window at speeder traffic in the distance, wondering how many of them paid their taxes on time.

[Space Core]

Beluga was sitting back in his own platform, listening to the Sluissi senator's speech with an interest shared by few of his peers. Even a cursory glance at the room's occupants showed that several of the senators present for the session were preparing themselves for a nice nap. Beluga himself would hardly be listening at all if it wasn't senator Bahradr speaking.

Not that Beluga found the man particularly interesting, politicians rarely interested him, but he didn't trust the senator further than he could throw him. Well that was actually a poor choice of words, Beluga could throw many people, the Sluissi senator included, quite a bit further than he trusted him. Inadequate metaphors aside the Herglic wasn't overly fond of the Sluissi, the two had very different views on many things, and today's particular topic was one of them.

The speech contained few surprises, or rather no surprises to be truthful. Reductions to foster trade and increases to boost war funds. As usual the senate failed to commit to anything. Trying to play all approaches and please everyone at the same time. He sighed deeply and stretched his back, trying to rid himself a slight ache that had developed over the course of the session. Maybe he should have watched his pose a little better.

He began walking off, but as he did he noticed the Sluissi senator staring out the window, some ways to his left. It was then he realised he'd never had a one on one chat with the senator outside of the senate's main chamber and he'd always wondered what someone who held views so different form his own would be like outside of a debate. That and he had a few things to say to the man. A few limping strides carried him to his fellow politician's (oh how he hated labelling himself as such) side.

"Enjoying the view?" he asked lightly, turning his gaze from the senator to the window and the city beyond. "That two percent tax increase is going to annoy a lot of people," the herglic added. "I hope the galaxy's patriotism holds strong. Otherwise we just have to hope you haven't gone too far quite yet."

[Lemur, The Kool-Aid Guy]

Uranibask waved his hand dismissively over the Herglic's qualms. He recognized the man as someone with an... alternate viewpoint. He was somewhat of a detractor, one without the same vision. He could be best described as a libertarian with no use for rules, the very opposite of the statist bureaucrat that Uranibask was.

The Sluissi replied in his typical even tone, not revealing an ounce of the relatively low esteem he held the other Senator in.

"Even if the bill passsses, I expect ssssome of the Rim Worldssss to reinssssstigate that debate over nullification. The Core Worldssss will abide by it however. It issss sssssad commentary that even during a crissssissss of war there isss disssent and dissscord among our own member planetssss. I imagine you will opposse further attemptsss at raissssing revenue."

Senator Bahradr's tone never varied from the ubiquitous polite hiss he was renowned for, his serpentine tongue savoring the words of Basic most unnaturally.

The last comment was as close to a stab as Uranibask ever made in conversation, as he found outright accusations to be uncouth and improper. After all, there were proper channels to handle such statements through.

Even if the Herglic didn't have an interest in using them.

"It issss a true sssshame that we are ssso divided now."

[Space Core]

"Division is to be expected in time of strife," Beluga pointed out. "Many a war was won by taking advantage of that. Perhaps that is what the Sith aim to do. After all a divided Republic is a dead Republic," he mused thoughtfully. "Divide and conquer..." he fell silent for a couple of seconds. "Whatever the Sith strategy may be, expecting unity in a time of war is foolishness. As times become uncertain all the niceties organics share so trivially in peace time rapidly become a rare commodity. People look to their own interests first, and spare a thought for the happiness of others second, that is always true. But plunge a man's future into uncertainty and the only thing he'll look after is himself and those closest to him. Ah but listen to me, trying to pose as teacher in sociology," the Herglic chuckled quietly to himself as he took out his pipe and tobacco pouch, tucking his cane under his left arm as he busied himself with the preparation of the pipe. "I suppose that what I am trying to say is that war blinds people to the idea of the common good. Those directly threatened by the war in particular. In other words your prediction that the Outer Rim will fight your policies is probably accurate," the Herglic concluded, placing the prepared pipe between his lips and plunging his right hand into an inner pocket of his coat, a look of discontent briefly flashing across his face as he put the pipe away, the look of frustration disappearing as suddenly as it had appeared.

"As for me fighting what you see as 'raising revenue', yes. That will probably happen. But only because I believe your efforts are misguided. There are ways to increase your income that don't involve adding pressure to the common man," Beluga pointed out. "I have a feeling this debate will slowly grind to a standstill which will waste everyone's time. I suppose that is the problem with Democracy. Allowing everybody to have a say is a beautiful concept. but the system doesn't work so well when put under pressure."

[Lemur, The Kool-Aid Guy]

Uranibask's forked tongue tasted the air and caught the aroma of tabac even before the pipe and pouch appeared, and he resisted the urge to frown with disapproval. Substances. Why did so many sentients rely on substances for their pleasure and relaxation? Couldn't they just disassemble a datapad or read the tax code?

The Sluissi kept his comments, and facial expressions, strictly to what was being said. And his reply came soon enough, a polite length of time after the large mammal was done with his piece.

"I would readily add a ssssysssstem that enssssuresss that thosssse of low income contribute a lower percentage than thosssse with high incomesss, but I fear any ssssuch attempt to write sssssuch a code would be oppossssed by ssssome due to their protesssstationsss againsssst expanding the bureaucracy."

That was as verbally offensive as Senator Bahradr ever became, as 'some' clearly meant the Herglic. And the point was quite valid. Those against government expansion tended to rail against any tax imposed against the 'common man' but just as fervently resisted the campaign to utilize a more equitable tax on the grounds it was a bureaucratic issue.

You literally could not satisfy such people.

Bahradr was a being who realized there was always a percentage who could not be dealt with. The majority had to rule, and these vocal minorities often had to be worked around simply because they were not rational. It was a sad reality of politics.

"I for one choosssse to act for the besssst interessstssss of the majority. And a rule under the Ssssith Empire issss not in any of our interessstssss."

[Space Core]

Beluga gave his pockets a last, and slightly desperate, search. Why in the blazes had he not restocked on matches? He sighed, resigned to his fate. It would seem he was going to have to go without a smoke for this conversation.

"It seems you are missing my point," the Herglic replied calmly. "I didn't mean you should modify the tax system. What I meant was that there are ways to increase revenue without asking for more money," he explained.

"A simple example. You mentioned a tax reduction for merchants to bring in more trade to the Republic, giving us a source of revenue and depriving the Sith of said revenue. A brilliant idea to be sure, that much I believe we can agree on. however if you bring in more trade while simultaneously taking away revenue from people by increasing their taxes the added supply will simply turn into excess supply as people are unwilling or simply unable to add to their expenses, which will lead to prices plummeting, and that will drive traders away from the Republic. If you encouraged trade but didn't add a tax on the citizens the policy would be far more efficient," to Beluga the theory behind his assessment seemed logical enough. But he did suppose it was a matter of preferences. "One way you can definitely attract trade without augmenting expenses too much is by doing your best to cut away your beloved red tape."

"I can't really argue with the fact that some would fifth the idea. But then again when you push things in one direction there's always someone willing to push back in the opposite direction, I believe there's a scientific law that parallels this concepts perfectly," Beluga added. "ThoughI have to say that if you did choose to implement a progressive tax you'd find me far less opposed to the plan. Of course I would still be in disagreement over the very idea of the tax in the first place, but arguing against a progressive tax is far harder than arguing against a flat tax. In any case you will probably find that you will need to change that tax to a progressive one, whether you heed my advice or not. By trying to appease everyone you'll only end up angering everyone."

"As for 'acting in the best interest of the majority, I do believe that is possibly one of the worst and most overused arguments I've ever heard," the Herglic added. "Many in the Sith Empire may believe they are working for the best interest of the majority. But you have to ask yourself what is the best interest of the majority? Believing you know the answer to that question is the peak of arrogance. That is something bureaucrats and politicians trained from a young age will never comprehend," those last few words had been considerably harsher than Beluga had intended. A sudden burst of pain from his left leg had caught him unaware and had influenced his tone. He leaned against the window more heavily, trying to remove some weight from his injured limb.

[Lemur, The Kool-Aid Guy]

"The opportunity for extra trade will not be ignored merely becausssse of a 2% tax on ssssalessss. The economic interessstsss resssponssible for the bulk of the Republic'sss trade are not going to sssuddenly be ssshut down by the appearance of additional taxation. Asss they have no choice but to pay it, the ressst isss rather irrelevant. It will happen, and the Republic member worldsss will adjusssst to it. Your mention of excessss ssssupply isss a non-issssue, a hypothetical that will not take place. Ssssuch concernsss were raisssed in the committee'ssss deliberationsss, where they were fully discussssed and dismissssed assss irrelevant and missssleading. Perhapssss you feel that your judgment in economicssss and trade isss ssssomehow sssssuperior to the Waysss and Meanssss Committee?"

Senator Bahradr dismissed the Herglic's concerns, as he noticed with a small degree of pleasure the man putting away his tabac paraphernalia.

"Asss to the bureaucracy, it isss essssential to the orderly flow of commerce and the proper function of the galaxy. I would not be sssso cavalier assss to allow a devolution into anarchy and sssssplintered feudal ssstatesss without a sssstrong central government. Good organization isss important. If you ever were to vissssit Sssluisss Van you would sssee the ideal bureaucracy in action, with sssyssstemsss desssigned to fully cover everything from trade to healthcare."

It was somewhat exasperating when people opposed bureaucracy. They never seemed to realize how wonderfully efficient and comprehensive it could be. And how essential it was. But he left the most controversial statement for the last.

"Perhapsss the Sssith Empire formed with the bessst interessstsss of the majority of itsss member worldssss, but recently hissstory sssshowssss a bloody coup by the Ssssith Order againssst the essssstablisshed government, after which they turned a war machine againssst the Republic and the Jedi. Perhapssss you are not a ssstudent of hissstory enough to appreciate the nature of regimesss bearing the title 'Sssith,' otherwissse you might find declaring sssuch Empiresss to be againssst the interessstsss of the majority to be ssensssible practice rather than, how did you put it, 'the peak of arrogance?'"

[Space Core]

"Perhapssss you feel that your judgment in economicssss and trade isss ssssomehow sssssuperior to the Waysss and Meanssss Committee?" He did. Perhaps it was vanity on his part but he did like to think that decades in the field had given him more know-how than a few politicians with no practical experience.

That said he didn't bother saying it. There was, at this stage, no point, that and the statement in itself would just take them down a pointless tangent. If this debate was in an official session of the senate he would have given that answer before going on to counter the argument. A pinch of deadpan humour wrapped in a witty one liner was a powerful ally, even if it wasn't a very eloquent argument, and could even inspire weaker willed senators to join his side in certain situations. But they weren't in an official session. Right now they were just two men with very different points of view debating. And anyway there were far more important mistakes to correct in the sluissi's reply.

"Sluis Van's bureaucracy driven system works because of the nature of your people senator Bahradr. Few other species would be willing to comply to such tiresome protocol as your people do," the Herglic pointed out. "I am not trying to insult your people of course, I am simply stating that you are known for your attachment to protocol. An attachment most species do not share. Assuming other sentient beings would appreciate such a heavily bureaucratic system is assuming that all species are like the sluissi. Which is incorrect," of course he didn't add that he was thoroughly thankful that all species were not like the sluissi. That would have been little more than a petty insult.

"As for the point regarding the Sith you, once again, misinterpreted my words. Firstly I am aware of the rumours surrounding this coup and of the rather bloody history the Sith Order has. What I meant was simply that what is in the best interest of the majority is a subjective matter. Using the Sith Empire as an example may have been of bad taste, but I meant that an individual soldier enlisted in the Sith army could think that what he was doing was for the greater good. Let me give you another example. You and I," the Herglic pointed at Bahradr and then at himself. "We both have very different opinions of what is best for the people at large. You believe, if I am not mistaken, that the government is the best placed to make decisions for the people and that the Senate should be given more power. Opposing this idea is me, I believe that the government is filled with less than scrupulous individuals who will abuse their power whenever they believe they can get away with it, in other words rather untrustworthy and nasty individuals. As such I believe that systems to encourage direct rather than representative democracy should be put in place which would considerably decrease the power of a centralized government. We are both persuaded that our theory is in the best interest of the people and that the other is misguided. Believing that you hold the only definitive and perfect answer to the question of what is best for the majority is the peak of arrogance."

"And yes, a Sith rule would probably not be in the best interest of the people, but that is besides the point. My use of a random Sith soldier thinking he is doing the right thing was merely an example to illustrate my point. Not an exposition of my personal beliefs regarding the merits of a Sith rule."

[Lemur, The Kool-Aid Guy]

"Bureaucracy isss an esssssential factor for all government," Bahradr said matter-of-factly. "There are preciousss few citizensss who would have the experience and ssskillssset required to craft tax code or economic policy. It isssss only common ssssenssse to have a casssste of public workerssss ressssponsssible for ssssuch management. Regardlesssss of ssspeciessss, all ssssentient life in the galaxy would benefit from an orderly bureaucracy providing esssssential ssservicesss. Give the Ssssluissssi government the authority to inssstitute a bureaucracy ssspanning the Republic, and you will sssee the end of the ssstruggle for healthcare, the end of prissson overcrowding, and the end of masssss hunger."

The Sluissi tightened the coil his serpentine body was resting in, his hands resting at the beginning of his underbelly, fingers interlaced together. He looked incredibly patient and incredibly neutral, which were both thoroughly accurate adjectives.

His polite hiss continued on.

"In my time in the Galactic Ssssenate, I have sssseen many beingsss who believe firmly that their perssssonal 'freedomsss' are more important than preventing the deathsss of beingsss from dissseassse and hunger. I will gladly place the collective good of the Republic firssst, which includesss the well-being of itssss citizenssss, whether they prefer to die young not withsssstanding."

[Space Core]

"I am no advocating the total eradication of bureaucracy. Even if that would bring me some measure of personal satisfaction. We can agree that some bureaucracy is necessary," Beluga conceded. "How much bureaucracy is required, now that is the crux of the problem, and therein lies our disagreement. A situation in which republics are bound to get bogged down. Authoritarian regimes lack that problem," he pointed out wistfully. "But then again that is one of the few advantages of such a regime."

"As for a Sluissi ruled galaxy, well I wouldn't really expect it to work in any realistic setting. The chances of entire worlds opposing such a change would be high. Firstly because the notion of a single race being given so much power would frighten the people, and anger the politicians of other races, thus meaning that politicians and voters would share a common goal. Something which is quite rare, but formidable to behold, or so I am told. Furthermore the concept sounds awfully like an authoritative regime. Any lover of democracy would rise against the bureaucrats, maybe even violently. And I can tell you for a fact that a strong tax code doesn't stop a blaster bolt from exploding in your face," Beluga took a deep breath and shifted his position against the window ever so slightly, finding a more comfortable stance.

"Not to mention the fact that people generally don't like being told what to do. Something most good politicians know and take advantage of. Give people the illusion of freedom and they will be happy and happiness, after all is the most insidious prison of all. As for your final point, well you're shooting yourself in the foot, "the Herglic paused a second, looking at the lower half of Bahradr's body. "Excuse me, a poor choice of words. What I mean is that you're making my point for me. People value their 'freedoms' many of which are only an illusion in the first place. Once again I can whip out my dramatic quip, happiness is the most insidious prison of all," Beluga pointed out lightly. "I do love that sentence. Anyways, witty one liners aside, what I was getting at was that this bureaucratic regime of yours would never work. Whether it would be in the best interest of the people isn't even to be taken in consideration. It would be scrapped simply out of principle."

"On a separate note I would advise you not to speak as you have as freely as you have. Many a tyrant's reign begun by them thinking that their ideals and their plans for their planet or nation was in the general interest of the people. Most of them failed to realise that what is right is a very subjective matter," Beluga added, his tone growing considerably more sombre. "Many would use the claims you have just made to tear you apart and discredit you on the political scene."

[Lemur, The Kool-Aid Guy]

"Ssso ready to ssswitch to the topic of violence," Uranibask said sadly, his distaste being conveyed clearly.

These other species, they were so prone to switching to violence in conversation, whether metaphor or more literal promises of the distasteful. It seemed to be the default reaction of so many small minds. Always reaching for destruction rather construction, always focusing on the worst and never what could be done.

Such pessimism, such darkness.

It was drearily repetitive, not beautiful in consistency like the bureaucracy. This was like constantly encountering the same disliked guest at a fancy party, and finding him to be the topic of conversation on everyone's lips.

"Your concern for my political capital, while ssssuperficially admirable, issss ssssomething I doubt you possssessss any real interesssst in. If you wissssh to imply I am ssssomehow a tyrant, I will not resssent you. Your sssspeciesss is conssssiderably more hassssty than my own, and perhapsss you do not take differencessss in political opinion quite the ssssame way I do."

Uranibask paused and gazed out the window, shifting his serpentine body ever so slightly.

"Your knowledge of the Ssssenate issss perhapsss ssssomewhat incomplete. You would know the political power of Ssssluissss Van comessss from sssstrong alliance with the Core Worldssss and Eriadu. We sssshare sssssome ssssimilar valuesss, and we do not require token gesssturessss and falsssse appearancessss in order to advance our political agendasssss."

[Space Core]

Beluga barked out a sharp laughter at the his fellow senator's words. A fit that lasted quite a bit longer than he had personally expected. He was amused at the comment, but not that much. Upon more careful reflection he realised that the laughter had somewhat alleviated the pain in his leg, which he had been trying so hard to ignore for the last few minutes. He had read somewhere that obscenities actually helped humans bear pain, it would seem that laughter had the same effect. Perhaps it was not the obscenities themselves, but the rapid and violent release of air that served to sooth the physical suffering. Pushing aside his musings to pick them up at a later time he forced his laughter under control.

"Well I was under the impression that we were talking about your ideals and the potential ramifications of their realisation. The violence in itself is not the topic of conversation, your ideals are," his leg was hurting again. He'd really have to look into laughter as a possible way to relieve it. Beluga would have commented about the Sluissi's attempt to paint him as a violence lover, but that would be a waste of time. An avenue that would probably force the discussion into an exchange of poorly veiled snide insults. Pointless if there wasn't a crowd around to influence.

"As for a concern for your political capital, you would be wrong in assuming I have no care for it. A democracy needs representatives on both sides of the board. Preferably in equal measure. A strong opposition is always required, it allows us to better ourselves. Competition encourages self-improvement. We should strive for balance, not dominance of one side over the other. At least that is the theory," Beluga smiled to himself, turning so he faced the window, peering outside with his one good eye. It felt nice to speak of ideals, it was simpler than dealing with the real world. "As for me accusing you of being a tyrant, well now you're just putting words in my mouth. I was warning you against others coming to this conclusion, and implying that your bureaucratic fantasy is unworkable."

"You seem to also underestimate the importance of the rim worlds. But that, is a discussion for another time I believe. A tangent springing from another tangent. Pointless arguing too I might add, a good way to pass some time, but yielding little to no concrete results in the long term. The chance of me converting you or vice versa are slim, to say the least. Yet there is something I find myself compelled to ask. What do you see in bureaucracy that makes you admire it so?"

[Lemur, The Kool-Aid Guy]

Senator Bahradr remained coiled stoically while the Herglic laughed, his face expressionless and his body language perfectly neutral, though this was quite easily the most heated conversation he'd been in all year.

When the topic of the bureaucracy came up, the Sluissi couldn't help but become more cheerful, like a proud parent discussing their favorite child, or like a crazy cat lady discussing Mr. Whiskers and his special toys.

"Government issss like an extensssion of the mind. An orderly mind isss more productive and better for the body than a mind easssily dissstracted and held to whimsss. Sssimilarly, we believe in the rule of law. Bureaucracy isss merely an extensssion of the rule of law, allowing the law to provide for necesssitiessss. We can apply it to any problem, from ssssicknessss to houssssing, and it givesss usss an orderly ssssolution to the problem."

The Sluissi Senator's voice was still very neutral and formal, but those used to him could pick up on the enjoyment in his tone of voice.

"The great bureaucraciessss in the galaxy have sssolved the crisssesss plaguing many worldssss, and allow a valuable quality of life. On Sssluisss Van you would find we provide healthcare, no one issss without houssssing, and no one goessss hungry. Our people'ssss needssss are met through buraucracy. The Republic issss not different. We can improve it, to wipe out the epidemicssss that plague our people. But the firsssst priority issss the war. We musssst all make sssacrificessss."

[Space Core]

The Herglic couldn't help but smile a little at Bahradr's enthusiasm, as hard to pick up as it may have been. As his fellow senator's explanation ended Beluga's smile had widened, but he had also found the answer lacking.

"A heartfelt reasoning to be sure. It must be nice to unequivocally believe in something. To be absolutely sure that what you believe in is right," he conceded sincerely. "But that sounded a lot like theory, accepted and applied coldly. You are one of the most passionate defenders of bureaucratic expansion I've ever countered. Surely you of all people have a more personal reason for loving it so much, some sort of personal stake in this."

[Lemur, The Kool-Aid Guy]

"You do not undersssstand," Uranibask hissed, "I have no sssstake in anything persssssonally. I am interessssted only in the ssssmooth flow of government."

As funny as it was for other beings, Uranibask Bahradr was fundamentally dispassionate and without a personal stake in politics. He had no person feuds or lofty ambitions, no personal stories that drove him towards success. He was simply the consumate bureaucrat, trained from a young age in the proper function of government.

Now that he was grown and come into his own, it was a simple matter of streamlining and expanding the bureaucracy so everything functioned efficiently to solve problems.

In his view, government was like a machine. If it was kept well-oiled and in proper shape, it could continue running for a long time.

"I sssssimply advocate for the mosssst beneficial typesss of governance."

[Space Core]

Beluga rubbed his chin pensively, remaining silent for a wile after the Sluissi had finished speaking. He found the lack of personal drive exhibited by Bahradr to be hard to believe, and yet it made sense. Only then did the Herglic start to realise that it was his own desire to see all politicians as selfish fools that had prevented him from seeing what was so obvious. Now that he understood Bahradr a bit better he wasn't sure if he respected him or pitied him. Lack of personal drive was an admirable trait in a politician, regardless of ideological beliefs. But at the same time lack of personal drive for an organic sentient was somewhat disturbing. The Herglic was really starting to miss his pipe.

"You must have led a rather peaceful life," Beluga said after quite a pause. "I envy you that, if nothing else. Tell me have you ever held a job outside linked to neither bureaucracy nor politics senator?"

[Lemur, The Kool-Aid Guy]

"The lifesssspansssss of my people are ssshorter than mossst humansss, and I believe your own sssspeciesss. We do not have the luxury of sssswitching careerssss within our livessss. Our ssssschool ssssysssstem isss dessssigned to place sssstudentssss into the careerssss they are besssst ssssuited for, where they ssssstay. I wasssss besssst ssssuited for the Ssssluisssi government, where I have ssssserved all my life."

Sadly, Sluissi didn't live for ninety or a hundred years. A Sluissi who reached 76 was considered to have cheated death. If their species had been gifted with longer lifespans, perhaps they could have done still greater workers.

But, since they had been in the galaxy travelling and devising and maintaining technology since the days before the Republic, he was content with his species' part in the universe.

However, the Herglic was probably going to try to imply that an outsider who knew nothing of political process or bureaucratic apparati would be better suited to carrying out a political agenda or making change. It was a common populist mantra.

[Space Core]

"I'm sorry. I should have known better than to ask. Rather inconsiderate of me," Beluga said sincerely. "Still, I think I've managed to comprehend where your beliefs come from. Even if I don't agree with you I find comfort in the notion that at least one politician has some ideological integrity," he added with a warm smile. "Now if you'll excuse me, I still have some business to take care of for the day," well that was partially true. He did have some business to attend to before the end of the day. But the real reason why he wanted to cut the conversation short was because his leg was acting up and he didn't have his painkiller meds on him. He extended a hand for the Sluissi to shake, both a gesture of farewell and to some extent respect.

[Lemur, The Kool-Aid Guy]

Senator Bahradr stared at the extended hand before remembering the custom of the handshake, and took it with his own scaly green hand and making his reply.

"You are excussssed Ssssenator."

With the encounter over, the Sluissi stared out the window a few moments before lowering himself to the ground and slithering away, headed back for his office and a stack of work to complete.

He was looking forward to that very much.