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“EXACTLY, DWAYNE,” YIGAL SAYS. “I agree. We should do something about our nuclear arsenal. And if it will help you at the polls, how can I say no?”

Now the pause is longer. “Well, sir, I’d hoped for your cooperation, but I didn’t expect it to be this easy. You people got a reputation for driving a hard bargain, am I right?”

At this point both sides are pleased the conversation is limited to voice, the president because he is surrounded by advisors, the prime minister because he is alone—with others in the government present, there would of necessity be a record of the conversation, and even released after the statutory thirty years this might cause problems.

“Naturally Israel must be compensated for the destruction caused by this war, not least because American weaponry was used against us. And the United States did wait a very long time before delivering humanitarian aid.” Yigal stage-coughs. “We do have a shopping list, mostly military.”

The president mouths the word silently to Felix St. George: Jews. “Yogi, I’m sure we can work something out. How about we make a joint statement here in Washington to announce this reduction plan—”

“Dwayne, there may be some misunderstanding here.”

But the president, buoyed by the prospect of electoral victory, is moving right along. “I’m thinking late October. Howzat? Leaves time for your folks and my folks—”