The convention chairman approached the podium and hammered for order. “Fellow delegates,” he shouted, “we have a change in our program. Ladies and gentlemen, the vice president of the United States.”

“Oh, God,” Ann said, “what is this? It’s completely out of order for Marty Stanton even to be in the hall, let alone speak!”

“He must be desperate,” Stone said.

“Look at those faces,” Ann said, pointing at the people on the floor of the convention. “They’re as baffled as I am.”

The vice president approached the podium, wearing a dark suit and a broad smile. He waited for the applause to die but didn’t try to suppress it, then he began.

“Mr. Chairman, delegates to the convention, honored guests, ladies and gentlemen,” he intoned. “I beg your indulgence for having requested to speak to you at this time and I thank Senator Robert Marcus of Georgia and Governor Richard Collins for yielding the platform to me. For many months I have been traveling this great country, speaking, debating, and, along the way, meeting most of you, and I have articulated my vision for the future of our country to the nation at large. I haven’t done quite as well as I had hoped.” This was followed by a shocked noise from the delegates.

Ann sat up in her chair. “Jesus,” she said, “he’s pulling out! He’s going to throw the nomination to Willingham!”

“That must be the news Kate got at lunch,” Stone said.

“It couldn’t have been anything else. No wonder she was so devastated.”

Stanton went on. “After long thought, much prayer, and some very good advice from some very good friends, I have decided not to seek the nomination of my party.”

The audience reaction was a mixture of Nooos, cheers, and general shock.

Chris Matthews’s voice-over came on. “That’s it,” he said, “the nomination is going to Willingham. This is completely unexpected. We all thought that Stanton would fight to the last delegate. He must have had some very bad news.”

Stanton continued. “I have also given a great deal of thought to my next step,” he said, “and I have decided to throw my support—and ask those delegates pledged to me to throw their support—to the candidate I know, from my personal experience, is supremely well qualified to lead our party to victory in the November election. My fellow Americans, it is my honor and privilege to place in nomination the next president of the United States, Katharine Lee!”

The audience went nuts, the band started to play, and people with Kate Lee signs were, apparently spontaneously, marching up and down the aisles. Only the Virginia and New Mexico delegations sat in shocked silence.

Ann pressed the speaker button on the phone on the table between Stone and her and dialed a number.

“Hello?” a sleepy voice said.

“Kate, wake up. Turn on the TV.”