"So is the BB-Musharraf deal still on?"
"Don't know - Musharraf says she is not coming back before elections but then his Lotas keep telling the nation that a deal is struck."
"And BB keeps attacking Musharraf - the latest is that this Cabinet needs the threat of terrorism to sustain a military dictatorship and therefore it cannot tackle terrorism."
"While this statement makes sense in one respect it doesn't in another."
"Explain."
"Well, it does seem logical to state that a military dictatorship may benefit from the threat of terrorism, especially in today's world but..."
"But..."
"But on the other hand she referred to a Cabinet. Where does the Cabinet come in? All decisions in a military dictatorship are taken by one man and one man alone."
"Musharraf is seeking to sell the idea of a deal with her to the rest of the Lotas - who are resisting as they have their own history with the lady."
"That's true. But does BB also realise that if she can get her Jiyalas not to vote for a presidential candidate other than Musharraf and if he reneges on his promise and does not retire from the military, as he has done in the past, then her Cabinet would not be any better than the Chosen One's."
"She is relying on US mediation and thinks Musharraf wouldn't dare to go against the will of the Americans."
"When push comes to shove..."
"Indeed would someone please give her that piece of advice!"
"No one has the temerity to give BB any advice."
"What about her devoted AZ?"
"He has gone quiet - he doesn't want to be the one in again if you know what I mean."
"I agree there is only so much jail time one can do for one's wife."
"Nowhere in history has a spouse spent time in jail because of his wife."
"Right but then there maybe another factor at play."
"What?"
"No where in history has a spouse benefited so much from his spouse's power either."
"That could be true though there was an Imelda Marcos, you know."