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Wednesday March 3rd Washington, DC

It was sunrise when Ted arrived back in Washington. He headed for the Georgetown Hotel, his favourite, to sleep for a few hours before the meeting. Everything hinged on this. Would Pontiac be able to work this kind of magic? Bringing in a new state was one thing, but changing an existing one? Ted stripped down, showered, set an alarm and fell asleep.

Ted’s arrival was expected that afternoon at the White House security gates. His credentials were checked, he was led to the side door, through inner security, and escorted to the senior advisor’s office.

"Hello, stranger. I understand you’ve been doing some travelling lately."

"Tell me about it. My butt is broke. Too many flights over the great white north. There’s a lot of ice up there, an awful lot of ice."

Pontiac smiled at his friend. "How can I help?"

Ted described his travels, his meetings, the negotiations that had taken place – and then finally to the issue at hand. Alaska. "NWT and Yukon insist on becoming part of Alaska. Not a territory and not a state."

Having finished his story, Ted walked over to the credenza and poured himself a glass of ice water. Pontiac swivelled his chair around and looked out over the sweeping lawn of the White House. He began thinking. After a few minutes, he recalled the major effort he had undertaken several years ago for the Alaska Governor over oil and gas development issues. Pontiac had been instrumental in getting the President to take a second look at the huge wildlife reserve that had been established by the previous administration and the large oil and gas deposits that had been discovered there. He had prepared documentation and briefings to the President, worked hours on the phone and in secret meetings with Congressional leaders to secure support, if and when the President might change the status of the area to include it as part of the Alaskan oil fields. When the President had made the decision, Pontiac had personally called the Alaska Governor in advance of the announcement. The Governor pledged that in return, anything that may need the support of the Governor, to ask for the favour, and it would be granted. That, and the recent diamond discoveries adding revenues to his State coffers, should be enough. Pontiac swivelled back around and said, "I think we can handle this one. Yes."

Ted had been ready for either outcome. If Pontiac felt the Alaska deal was not possible, the idea of the more honourable end to Canada was finished, and Ted would have to report to the Prime Minister that he had failed. But Pontiac had said yes. Amazed, Ted asked his friend if he had a little more time to spare. There was much that Ted would like to share with him; much more that Ted now could share with him. Pontiac notified his staff that he would be unavailable for the rest of the day.