“That was one of my better drawings, but you’re not going to see any more cartoons like that one. My boss says we’re at war, and it’s up to each and every one of us to promote the national interest.”

“I can’t argue with that.”

“But I’m an editorial cartoonist. It’s my job to poke fun at current events. Sigh… No more jokes about Cheney running the show while the president is partying backstage with Rob Zombie and Creed. No more gags about putting a Ticketmaster outlet in the Oval Office. And I thought this was the year I was going to snag my second Pulitzer. Damn terrorists. Damn war. Damn editor.”

“Cheer up. You’re one of the best editorial cartoonists in the business. Besides, it’s up to each of us good Americans to do our part to help defeat the enemy.”

“You’re right, but…”

“So, you’re going to do what your editor wants?”

“Yeah, but I just don’t know what’s going to happen now that he won’t let me do any more jokes about the concert industry.”

“I’m sure you’ll come up with something. Want another beer?”

“Sure. Say, here’s an idea. Maybe a series of cartoons about how Enron contributed heavily to the president’s election campaign. What do you think?”

“Hmmm… I don’t know. Needs work.”