Woolsey, of the U.S. Department of Labor, zipped up his brief case and went over to the office window.
He looked outside at the Capitol building, but the location permitted only a fractional view of the impressive edifice. Anyway, the sun was shining brightly and the grass was green.
The man sitting in the chair facing his desk recalled his presence with a polite cough.
"Oh," said Woolsey, turning around. "Sorry. Mind's wandering, I guess."
"I know how you feel, Mr. Woolsey. My job is getting me down, too. Can't seem to get interested in the newspaper any more. Just the thought of working irritates me."
Woolsey sat down, humming softly to himself. He toyed with a paper clip, then started to bend it out of shape.
"But I guess I better get the story," sighed the man in the chair. "Boss will give me hell otherwise. Although," he added, "he seems to care about working even less than I do."
"Yes," said Woolsey abstractedly. "My, it certainly is a nice day. Damn shame to be indoors on a day like this."
"What say we go for a walk?" asked the reporter. "We can take a stroll around the fountain. We can do our business just as well."