Imaginary Conversation

"Of course," said my friend, "If you were thinking like a chess player- which is to say several moves ahead- you might vote for Biden in the hope of getting President Harris."

"You mean Biden might not see out his full term?" I replied.

They smiled- as if possessing knowledge I didn't. "Old men have been known to develop issues with their health."

I don't like to be patronised and my response was a little snappy. "That's a brutal way of thinking," I said.

"I prefer to call it unsentimental. And when did sentiment have anything to do with politics?"

"I know nothing about Harris," I protested. "Would she be a good choice?"

"She has this in her favour," they said. "That she's young..."