Now, returning to our story, Chris Bishop starts scrolling through his text messages as he wakes up: Nicola W, Nicola W, Nicola W, Des Gorman, Nicola W. He opens the latest message from Nicola Willis: "Fancy a plot—I mean coffee?" Chris Bishop thinks, "Just yesterday I thought 'Fancy a plot—I mean coffee with Nicola Willis.' " He then looks at the next text message: Peter Goodfellow, National Party President—something fishy here. The message reads, "Talofa, Chris. You're invited to a select viewing of the National Party's election review, working title 'Nightmare on Ponsonby Road'. It's R rated, so please don't bring Simeon Brown. Fair warning, Chris: you feature quite a bit, staring into the abyss, quietly wondering where your future has gone. Kind regards, Peter. PS: Do you think 'Night of the Electoral Dead' is a better title?"