"What a frustrating life she must lead." Bossuet lifts a half-full glass to the mermaid (which he only half believes in anyway). "--Oh, I don't deny that there are heroes among the National Guard. Many of them, having been dismissed by the king for respecting their country more than his person, are on the barricade now. Other police, of one kind and another, are firing upon them quite indiscriminately. I assume. I should be there myself."

Oh, hell. He closes his eyes again. "2013. That is the future. Are your police more perfect, then?"