Birthright

would consider satisfactory?”

“It's entirely possible that we have,” said Bomin. “You claim that we present your case unfairly, correct?” Cobart nodded. “What would be your response if, in exchange for your written promise never to raise the issue of nationalization of ASOC again, I promised you—also in writing, to be sure—that ASOC will give you equal time to present your side of the story? In other words, we will guarantee you one minute of air time for every minute we criticize you, one inch of newspaper column space for every anti-Cobart inch we run.”

Cobart rejected the offer, as Bomin had known he would do. Then came the clincher. “What if I further promised that for the three years prior to the next election, no section of the media owned by ASOC or any of its affiliates will criticize you or your Administration, either directly or by implication?”

Cobart stared at him. “You mean it?”

“I was never more sincere in my life,” said Bomin. “I'll further add that should ASOC's end of the agreement be broken at any time prior to the next election, we will offer no resistance to nationalization.” “Put it in writing,” said Cobart.

“Most assuredly,” said Bomin, producing a number of documents from a small titanium-alloy briefcase. “As you can see,” he said, spreading them out on a table before Cobart, “I brought with me a document for every agreement we might possibly reach. Naturally, I didn't expect you to accept halfway measures, but I was prepared just in case you were feeling philanthropic. Ah, here it is.” He pulled one of the papers out, signed it, and then signed a copy. “If you'll just put your signature and the seal of your office on these, our business will be concluded.” “You gave in awfully easily,” said Cobart, staring at the documents. “I never expected Jorg Bomin to surrender without a fight.”

“The end result was inevitable,” said Bomin. “With or without an agreement, ASOC wouldn't be able to get after you in a few days’ time. At least this way I can see to it that you don't manageall the news.” Cobart looked at the document again. “Add a clause about keeping this a secret until either party breaks it, and I'll sign it.”

“Are you planning on breaking it, Mr. Coordinator?” asked Bomin mildly. “No,'’ said Cobart. “But the dayyou do, I'm going to crucify you with this damned paper.” “And in the meantime,” said Bomin, “you'd just as soon the people didn't know that we had agreed not to tell them the truth about you. However, I have no objection to inserting a paragraph addressed to that point.” He scribbled it in, initialed it on both the original and the copy, and handed them over to Cobart, who read them, signed them, and placed the official seal of his office upon them. “I'd better not read about this, or hear about it, or see it, tomorrow morning,” snapped Cobart, returning the copy to Bomin.