To roam the streets they are free

"Why," said Percy, "they say they will try to talk to the Tigers again…"

"But isn't that dangerous, thaaththa?" Bindu wanted to know.

"Why do you say that?"

"Why, they have always started peace talks only to begin killing again…"

"But everyone hopes that this time will be different…"

"Why should it be different?"

"Well, the Norwegians are involved…"

"But once before too, the Indians were involved…" Bindu argued.

"And world opinion against terrorism is also stronger…" Percy tried to explain.

"But do the Tigers care about what the rest of the world thinks?" Bindu asked.

"Obviously they do which is why they want their ban lifted…" Percy said.

"But thaaththa, aren't we taking too many chances?"

"Why do you say that?" Percy queried.

"Why, they have removed all the road blocks in Colombo…"

"What's wrong with that?" Percy wanted to know.

"Why, thaaththa, the Tigers can come and go as they please then…"

"What's the difference, anyway?" Percy argued.

"What do you mean by that, thaaththa?"

"Why, they were able to walk in to the airport when we had all the road blocks…"

"But now it makes it even easier…" Bindu said.

"But we complain when there are road blocks saying that it is very inconvenient and when they are removed, we complain that there is no security…"

"But thaaththa, they are also sending everything to the North…" Bindu persisted.

"But even then, banning them didn't stop the Tigers all these days…" Percy pointed out.

"But thaaththa, if these talks fail, the greens will have to take all the blame…"

"That's true," Percy agreed, "but apparently the people too want the greens to talk to the Tigers…"

"How can you say that?" Bindu queried.

"Why, Bindu, can't you remember how Satellite campaigned during the election?"

"Why, what did she say then?"

"Why, didn't she say that a vote for the greens was a vote for the Tiger boss?" Percy recalled.

"That's true," Bindu agreed, "so, it seems that the majority of the people have wanted to vote for the Tiger boss…"

"But thaaththa, what will Satellite say to all this?"

"What do you mean?"

"Why," Bindu asked, "will she sit back and watch while the Green Man takes all the decisions?"

"Well," asked Percy, "does she have a choice, really?"

"But thaaththa," Bindu argued, "technically she is still the boss…"

"But practically her hands are tied and she can't do anything…"

"But she has now gone to Nepal for that conference…"

"Ah, yes," said Percy, "she can make ceremonial appearances…"

"But will she tolerate that for long?" Bindu wanted to know.

"If she doesn't, I suppose she will be impeached…" Percy pointed out.

"Then," Bindu said, "it is better to go when people ask why you are going instead of waiting until they ask you why you aren't going…"

Percy didn't disagree.