O: “I don’t think so.”

BP: “But we brought oil to your shores.”

O: “You sure have.”

BP: “Your country is addicted to oil.”

O: “We sure are, but you will pay for your recklessness.”

BP: “This sounds like Chicago-style politics?”

O: “Call it what you will.”

BP “You finally invite us to the White house, but all you want is our open ended check book.”

O: “You got it!”

BP: “I thought this was a Democracy?”

O: “Sometimes it is.”

BP: “You want us to give you an open ended check, initially for $20 Billion plus another $100 Million, while you have opened an investigation threatening our executives with criminal charges?”

O: “Yes.”

BP: “Sounds like a shake-down to us with no quid pro quo?”

O: “Call it what you will – my political career is on the line.”

BP: “With the substantial amount of money that’s on the table there must be some room for horse trading.”

O: “I didn’t say there wasn’t.  But I must maintain my public persona of toughness – you know, like in ‘kicking ass.’  Deliver what I ask and I will see the JD doesn’t bring charges.  Provide me with evidence that this oil spill was an accident.”

BP: “You should be thanking us – this crisis plays into your energy plan of cap and tax. We understand ‘you never allow a serious crisis go to waste?”

O: “That’s what I hear too.  But I also never let the facts get in the way of a good crisis.  Your CEO is testifying tomorrow before Congress.  He must keep his cool, because he will be sliced and diced.  Admit nothing, just have him speak to the people and tell them BP is prepared to do what is right, stop the spill, mitigate the damage and compensate those that have suffered a loss.”

BP: “Why don’t you accept clean-up help from the Dutch, they have the expertise in these types of spills?”

O: “That is an internal matter that will help my personal political agenda.”

BP: “In other words it helps to escalate the crisis and leads you to your energy agenda?”

O: “Yes, and in addition by not waving the Jones Act I am again delivered the Union vote in 2012.”

BP: “Sure sounds like a complex shakedown to us?”

O: “Call it what you will, but you get to stay in business, recoup your investment when gas reaches $7 a gallon and it’s a win win for all.”