The real, flesh and blood, Sharon had eventually managed to get away from the strategy meeting between the mayor, Dol-ssexCo's executives and the chief of police, which had achieved little sp far and looked as though it could run on late into the evening. She was now at home watching a news programme. The lead item was naturally about the dolls, most of whom she could see were now decently dressed. According to the programme's reporter at the scene, the mayor had agreed that the police and National Guard would be stood down, but only if the Sharons would agree to end their demonstration and to disperse in groups of no more than three or four. [348830] It was not yet known whether they had agreed to this.
In the background behind the reporter, Sharon could see Jim, very obviously trying to chat up an attractive young woman whom she recognised as a mayoral aide. Many of the Sharons were watching him. It wasn't easy to interpret their facial expressions, but she thought that some of them looked angry.
The idiot! she thought. I'd better get down there fast.
When she got there:
Sat May 08 13:08:58 2004