All are wiser in the other world

"So," said Solomon to Junius, "your nephew is trying to talk peace yet again."

"Ah," said Junius, "that seems to have been the peoples' mandate."

"But, Junius," John said, "when did we really respect the peoples' mandate?"

"That's true," Junius agreed, "but at least he must appear to be doing so."

"But I thought he would be once bitten twice shy."

Dudley joined in.

"I thought so too," Ranasinghe said, "I should know; I learnt that the hard way."

"Well," said Junius, "my nephew must surely realise the risks he is taking, he has seen it all before, hasn't he?"

"That's true." Solomon said, "and that is what surprises me most."

"So," John asked, "does he think he can pull it off?"

"Some say that he could do that because the Norwegians are pressurising the Tigers."

"That's what they all say at the beginning." Junius said, "they said the same thing about India when we signed the Accord."

"And I felt the same way when I got them down to Colombo," Ranasinghe added.

"But isn't there more international pressure on the Tigers now?" Dudley wanted to know.

"Whatever these countries say, they will only issue a statement condemning the Tigers," Ranasinghe said, "some won't even do that."

"So, what are your nephew's chances of success, Junius?" John asked, "you should know better than all of us because some say you were responsible for this mess."

"Well," Junius said, "I am no more responsible than Solomon is."

"Let bygones be bygones," Solomon said, "but tell us whether you think your nephew will succeed or not." "But there is another issue here." Ranasinghe intervened.

"And what is that?" Dudley queried. "Whatever happens, Solomon's daughter has to ratify it and she may not do that."

"Why wouldn't she?" Solomon interjected, "she wouldn't stand in the way of something that will benefit Paradise."

"Well," John pointed out, "she is already complaining that she was not informed in time of recent events and agreements."

"Ah," said Dudley, "she is always late but she expects everyone else to be on time."

"I don't think her consent is an issue here." Junius said.

"Why is that?" Solomon argued, "after all, she is still the Leader of Paradise."

"But then," Junius said, " I don't think he will end the war just like that."

"Then," Dudley asked, "what is all this fuss and bother about?"

"Well," Junius said," I think he will let the Tigers mind their own business in the North and he will mind his business in the South."

"Then, what is he signing agreements and declaring ceasefires for?" John wanted to know.

"I would do the same too if I was in his place."

Junius argued.

"So," Dudley said, "he would let the issue drag on as long as he could stay on."

"Like uncle, like nephew." Solomon said.

"It is better than making it worse like you did, isn't it?" Junius asked Solomon.

"And that," John said, "would be like father, like daughter."

No one disagreed with that.