Joseph is anxious. The momentum may fade any moment. The problem about using a livestream, and calling everyone together, is that enthusiasm only lasts so long. With each droplet of sweat that falls from a government's worker forehead along the constant hand movement from the grinning clock- the momentum fades. People will start grumbling. Motivation drops.

Humans are not robots. They cannot work and work and work forever. They cannot stay focused on one thing forever. Eventually, they will need a break.

Each human has had a different life story, different expriences. This leads to different views. That then leads to this godforsaken discussion (and arguement) on the terms of a policy that will lower house prices. Some people argue that the terms are too soft. Others recommend that they put a foot through the door before easing through. Others simply do not help - only grumble about it not working out and their vehement non-supportance: only serving to kick down the pillars of morale that Joseph had built up.

The pillars are also crumbling down due to hunger, fatigue, and boredom.

Someone asks for a break, and Joseph accepts. He cautions that everyone should come back by a certain time. Inwardly, he is worrying. What if someone disregards him and leaves? What if they are late? What is he supposed to do then, show his authority or meekly plop into acceptance? Is pride even worth considering here? A black canary flees the cage and the hesitant will follow, gladful for someone to leave so that they did not have to be the first. It doesn't matter to them that they were the ones who were supposed to stabilise the cavern for the ones behind them.

And, as Murphy Law goes, well.

Joseph notices, and he hesitates. He says, "The person who just left... when 5 minutes are done, and he is still gone..." He finishes weakly, "...there will be consequences." And then he soldiers on.

The Assistant comes up to the President. "You're dragging this for too long," he whispers, "it's time to put your foot down, and continue on."

Joseph skips the 3rd question. This livestream is recorded. He can afford to rewind it and review their progress at a later time.

The 4th question is tricky. Joseph really wants to skip it. So he does.

"If there is no evidence showing that the prices are too high, we go ahead with dropping the price of hospital fees anyways. If we are found out, we are found out. We can't do anything about it. If there is no evidence, then there are no evidence. We go ahead with it anyways, because it is the right thing to do. Simply, searching for such evidence is just for further justification. We have to drop the price."

Someone asks, "Why?"

Joseph says, "Because we have to. It's the right thing to do. Well, I can give you a trillon reasons and you can all justify them as being excuses, but we are still dropping the price of the hospitals."

Strangely enough, there are no complaints.

"Minimum wage. Let's see... Rent. Food. Transport. Repair costs. Clothing. $12 per hour. $1.8k per month. Rent takes care of 3 quarters of that. $10 per meal, perhaps. That's $30 per day. And that's $900 per month. Already we exceed the minimum wage. I say we raise it by at least $3."