The doors opened onto a set of stairs that led down onto the plaza, where a crowd had gathered in the lengthening afternoon shadows at the base of the fountain. The crowd was large enough now that people had spilled into the street, onto the pale glowing tracks that ran past the building. It was oddly quiet, except for the Cynn's voice issuing from the radio at the fountain's edge, magnified such that the Assembly members at the door could easily hear it.

Perhaps hearing the sound of the doors open, several in the crowd turned to look. The afternoon light gleamed off the many eyes that fell on the Assembly members, who had drawn up short at the doorway, looking back out in alarm.

No one said anything, as the Cynn calmly outlined the results of a study that suggested even self-described traditionalists would be in favor of a solution along the lines of what he was proposing. Then, silently, the Assembly members closed the door again.

< ...and are reflected in the draft charter that I have drawn up with potential coalition members, > the Cynn continued. < Now, as for who these potential coalition members are-- >

He was interrupted, then, by the sound of something slamming.