Ivan watched television for the entire night.
The bedroom was still filled with the smell of old age and medicine, but under the pillow was a gun Emily had given her. Mai Mingle lay in bed, watching the sliver of wavering dim light under the door and listening to the fluctuating voices from the TV.
"...Our new store is officially open! Grand opening discounts, this week's special offers, thousands of new products..."
"You lied to me! You promised you wouldn't do it..."
"...Chief, we've found a new lead..."
"...Criticism and questions regarding the suppression of the protests have reached a new peak..."
The TV volume wasn't high. When Ivan occasionally mumbled along with the lines, practicing his recitation, his voice was even lower. Mai Mingle had to hold her breath and listen several times before she could finally confirm what he was doing.
She didn't know what time it was when she finally, vaguely, drifted off to sleep.
