Angela continued, “As we discussed before, you no longer represent the majority in this chamber. I move for an immediate vote to have you removed as Speaker, which will then be followed by a vote to name a new Speaker.”

A chorus of protests erupted from the chamber. “That’s outrageous!” Oscar Colgan shouted. “This is hardly time for a coup!”

“The motion is in order,” Anna Grogan declared. “And as a privileged motion, it rises to the top of all other business.”

“An election is not a coup,” said Kent Kiser. “In fact, it is the opposite of a coup. The motion is entirely in order.”

“It is no such thing!” Burton Sinclair said. “The national election was less than a year ago. The majority party is the majority party. Mr. Glendale is the Speaker of the House of Representatives.”

“Let the vote speak for itself,” Angela said. “Mr. Speaker, the rules are the rules. You must open the motion for debate, and you must entertain a vote. If you stay in office, you stay. If not, then the House has spoken.”

“This is the people’s house,” Penn said. “It is not your personal résumé lab. The majority of the people of the United States voted for my party to represent their interests. It is absurd to suggest that I step down now because Mr. Johnson up there closed the door too early.”

Angela turned her back on Penn in order to address the assembled body, face-to-face. “The American people elected Helen Blanton to be president of the United States. They elected Clarence Jenkins to be vice president of the United States. They made clear what their intentions were for the executive branch. You and your party, Mr. Speaker, were not the ones they chose. Combine that fact with the undeniable fact that you represent a clear minority in this chamber, and I believe I have a responsibility to my constituents and to the people of the United States to make the motion I have.”

Penn looked to Strasky for advice, but his chief of staff looked at once terrified and baffled.

“Very well,” Penn said. “We will keep the world waiting at the feet of Leader Fortnight’s ambitions. We will let the fires burn a little hotter and let the people suffer a little longer while we debate the privileged motion on the floor.”

“You can always step down, Mr. Speaker,” Angela said. “If time is truly of the essence for you, given the fact that you know how this vote will go, we can speed it along if you can simply surrender your seat.”

Penn searched for something to say. Some way to undo this travesty, but nothing appeared in his head. “Ladies and gentlemen, this has been a long, arduous day. I will entertain a motion to recess for eight hours so we can all find our quarters and get some rest.”

Jack Collins stood. “So moved,” he said.