Prime Minister Tzufit Feldshuh was in his dressing room, the clock read 5 PM, his guests would be here soon. He fastened the bow tie around his neck. He turned towards his wife, "Well?"
"You look beautiful, sweetheart," she responded. "And at the ripe age of 77 nonetheless!"
They laughed. I really do have a wonderful wife, he thought.
"Now, it's time to get Mr. Yamesh. I want him to be the first face that everyone sees!" Tzufit strode down the hall, pulled index cards out of his pocket, and rehearsed his speech for the 100th time. It was important that this night goes perfectly, for Yavneh Roya is one of the most important holidays in Iraelia. But there was much more to this night then that. Tzufit was 77 after all, and it was time for him to retire. This was his chance to introduce the Iraelia of the future to the world, it was time for old men like himself to step down.
His thoughts were interrupted as he entered a black limousine, "To Mr. Yamesh's house!"
Taneli Gadi fastened an onyx necklace around her neck, she looked up into the mirror confidently. She needed to appear capable enough in front of the leader's of Eras, for she knew why the elderly Prime Minister invited her, the Leader of the Opposition, to this party, that old man is going to resign, this is his chance to introduce them to his successor. She walked out of her tiny apartment and glanced five blocks down towards Beit Aghion. She was determined to oust the Conservatives from power.
"Tonight I go there, in three years I will live there," she accidentally proclaimed.
"What was that Ms. Gadi?" her limousine driver asked.
"Nothing, to Beit Aghion!"
Agastya Yamesh uncomfortably looked into the mirror, fiddling with his bow tie every few seconds. He too periodically read through his index cards, for this night may determine his political future. As he anxiously awaited for the Prime Minister to arrive, he remembered the conversation they had about a week ago...
It had been after a heated Knesset debate with Mr. Reshi of the Worker's Party which resulted in the delegation from the Worker's Party after physically threatening the Prime Minister, and they were walking to a cabinet meeting. As they were walking, the quite old man decided to speak up.
"Mr. Yamesh, men like Reshi are dangerous to our nation. They threaten our democracy," he said.
"Of course, sir," Yamesh replied.
"Mr. Yamesh, while we must respect the will of the people and allow these parties to send their elected representatives, it is our moral duty to make sure that these... demagogues do not seize more power then they are granted," he continued. "And it's not just because of their political beliefs, Ms. Gadi is a fine young lady, but certain ideologues like Mr. Reshi can be dangerous."
"Sir, why are you telling me this?" Yamesh asked.
"I am going to resign after the next election, and I want you to succeed me," he declared.
"Sir?!" Yamesh exclaimed.
"You are one of the brightest young men I have ever met, you have engaged the youth like never before and have reinvigorated the Conservative Party as a whole. I am confidant you will do great." The Prime Minister had said.
Yamesh's train of thought was interrupted as a car's horn blared outside his flat, the Prime Minister had arrived. Yamesh hopped into the car and greeted the Prime Minister.
"Mr. Feldshuh," Yamesh said.
"Mr. Yamesh," Feldshuh responded. "To the airport!" he shouted at the driver.
Feldshuh turned to Yamesh and began to lecture him on the importance of this meeting, but his nerves got the best of him. He only periodically heard small phrases like "smile" and "be social." Yamesh just continually nodded his head, as if intently listening to everything the Prime Minister said.
"Got it?" Feldshuh eventually asked.
"Sure," Yamesh responded.
"Good, because we are here!" Feldshuh exclaimed.
The young Foreign Affairs Minister slowly stepped out of the limousine behind his Prime Minister to see eight jets bearing different names on each.
"Here we go," he muttered under his breath.
