A small piece of fiction inspired by ABC News - Prime Minister Kevin Rudd considers taking Opposition Leader Tony Abbott to G20 talks in Russia
“Well, isn’t this nice.” Kevin smiled over at his dining companion with whom he’d shared a plane, though they hadn’t been within the same section of the plane. Certain things needed to be kept from the man opposite.
Tony looked over the menu at the insufferable man sitting opposite him. They were within one of the hotel’s restaurant rooms, with only their personal staff near by should they be needed. A break in the G20 meetings and away from the press.
“Would you like me to order the wine Tony?” Kevin asked taking a sip of the sparkling water that had already been left on the table.
Tony glanced over at the Prime Minister who beamed back at him with that insufferable smile.
“No, thank you, I’m merely reading through this thoroughly.” The PM smiled and continued to casually gaze at his own menu.
“Of course, I didn’t mean to rush you Tony.” He was still smiling.
Tony reached into his pocket to remove his glasses, not something he usually did, but he was damned sure not going to allow the PM to choose the wine. Not for him.
The PM’s public relations team would spin any minor move he made while here.
Kevin looked over the menu, with one eye on the leader of the opposition and a small portion of his concentration on one of his assistants who was just within his vision standing in the background of the room. A PM’s work was never done, but he could allow himself a small amount of ‘down time’ to put his feet up and have a good meal. Even if that meal was with the leader of the opposition.
Kevin admitted that he had been surprised Tony had accepted and come himself, in those early days, before he’d re-established his ministry he’d thrown out a lot of things to the media. They were always wanting to strip the leaves from a gum tree like a hungry koala, he thought he’d give them something to chew on.
That Tony had agreed to come and not send Julie had been interesting in itself.
Tony still hadn’t chosen a wine, but he had decided to put on his glasses.
Kevin resisted the urge to grab the menu out of the opposition leader’s hands and make the decision for him.
Indecisiveness was his problem. Couldn’t even choose a wine.
Although there were a good range to choose from, he wondered what Tony would choose, if he could manage a decision.
--
Their orders taken and a bottle of wine sitting in an ice bucket between them Kevin mused what to discuss with Tony. This was the first of a few times they would be seen together, this time without the cameras. It had been something of an accident that they were eating together at all. But a good opportunity he thought to take and grab.
It did leave something of a problem though, speaking with the man who wanted his job.
Tony watched the PM sip the wine, which he’d chosen, the PM seemed smugly pleased with his choice.
They had sat in silence since their orders had been taken. The silence was irritating, even more so that the PM, Kevin Rudd seemed almost happy enjoying the wine he’d chosen and had made no attempt to begin a conversation.
Kevin sipped the wine, but swallowed very little, just enough to wet his lips. He had tasted the wine and it was a rather good choice made by Tony. He would, however have chose something a little less sharp, something fruity and mellow, there had been several wines fitting those descriptions. Tony it seemed had gone for something rather more different, almost opposite to what he would have chose. Kevin savoured that amusement internally and continued to watch Tony, his assistant and the room around them.
Their first course had been taken away and now once again they were sat in silence.
Kevin decided to break the prevailing silence, an act that seemed to surprise those who weren’t sitting, waiting. “It’s interesting that we don’t do this more often.” He said, wetting his lips on the wine glass again.
Tony looked at him, surprised with a little bit of contempt, it was a rather interesting mixture on the opposition leader’s face.
“Would you have anything to say if we met more often?” He challenged him.
“I don’t know Tony” He paused to smile, briefly. “This outing has been quite good. We shouldn’t let out political differences divide us. Surely we can share a drink and meal?” Kevin asked. Tony looked surprised beyond belief, at least Kevin hoped it was surprise. His assist also looked concerned.
Tony looked over at the PM who was suggesting they have more of these....these encounters. He resisted the urge to ask if the PM was quite sane, he already knew the answer the question.
“I’m sure we could share a meal” He paused. “But I am often far too busy to share a simple casual meal, something I would prefer to do with my wife, rather than you.”
He smiled and raised his drink. “Quite right Tony, we shouldn’t be wining and dining together when we’re in Canberra. We’ll put this down as a special treat. A meal together as leaders.”
Tony stared over at the PM and nodded meeting his raised glass.
--
Kevin allowed Tony to leave the restaurant first, out of which he’d rushed, not to the toilet, which by his speed could be the only other option. The first of course was the waiting press. He decided to take a more casual walk, let the press know he was ready to speak to them on serious issues, not what they had chosen for wine or which of the tasting plates of deserts they’d each had that they’d found palatable.
Tony was already talking about a slew of topics but as he walked over to another area where the press was waiting it was obvious the press still cared who was Prime Minister of Australia and who had merely dined with him.