REPEATING SENATOR

A REPORTER is interviewing a SENATOR on the senate floor. They speak in golf tournament-like whispers.

REPORTER

Senator, do you think that your proposed bill will have any effect on the current financial crisis?

SENATOR

My proposed bill WILL have an effect on the current financial crisis, and the effect will be a good one, a needed one and a fair one.

REPORTER

A fair one, and Senator, is there any truth to what your critics say that the bill will benefit mostly the rich?

SENATOR

My critics say my bill will benefit mostly the rich, but they are incorrect in that statement. The rich will benefit, but the poor will also benefit.

REPORTER

The poor will also benefit, but have you noticed, Senator, that each time you and I speak we begin by repeating the last phrase of the other person?

SENATOR

We repeat the last phrase of the other person, but this is not abnormal behavior. It is behavior that is good, that is needed and that is fair.

REPORTER

Behavior that is fair, but Senator do you think this COMPULSION we're currently showing to repeat the last phrase means that we are TRAPPED in a behavior that prevents us from having any independent thought?

SENATOR

Prevents us from having any independent thought? I disagree. Our thoughts are still independent, although of course they are at times still dependent!

REPORTER

Still dependent thoughts, but what would happen, sir, if I simply repeated what you said and then said no more? Would we be trapped?

SENATOR

Would we be trapped?

REPORTER

Would we be trapped?

SENATOR

Would we be trapped?

REPORTER

Would WE be trapped?

SENATOR

Would we be TRAPPED?

REPORTER

WOULD we be trapped?

SENATOR

Would we BE trapped?

REPORTER

Would we be trapped?

A SECOND SENATOR passes by.

SECOND SENATOR

Would we be trapped? Only if we allow our spirits to be trapped. As long as we believe in liberty we are still free.

SECOND SENATOR exits. REPORTER and SENATOR relax

REPORTER

(to second senator)

We are still free, thank you Seantor. (Back to original) Senator, do you think that your compulsion to repeat means you are a slave to sound bytes?

SENATOR

A slave to sound bytes? A slave to NO MAN! (looks at camera, then looks back at REPORTER) It's a fair question.

REPORTER

A fair question, but I'm realizing that I can't start a sentence on my own.

SENATOR

Can't start a sentence on your own? That may be a little draconian to say.

REPORTER

A little draconian to say, but I don't know what the word draconian means.

SENATOR

What the word draconian means, What does the word draconian mean?

REPORTER

What does the word draconian mean; judging from your speech it means an over-reaction that hurts more than it helps.

SENATOR

An over-reaction that hurts more than it helps. Yes, I think that's right.

REPORTER

You think that's right, but you haven't actually made your own sentence.

SENATOR

Haven't made my own sentence, but blurbity gooble diggity dog.

REPORTER

Blurbity gooble diggity dog, but those aren't realy words, intownsentronital.

SENATOR

Intownsentronital, but also in a way --- TOWNsentronital?

REPORTER

Townsentronital? What?

SENATOR

I'm not sure.

REPORTER

Good day, Senator.

SENATOR

Good day, Senator.