"Yes, aren't you?"

"I'm still thinking about it."

"What is there to think about?"

"I'm having second thoughts."

"Tell me."

"Nor, this thing is starting to bother me."

"Why?"

"Because it's wrong. It's clearly wrong."

"So what, Zul? We've done this before."

"That was different. Before it was like a patriotic duty. It was something you did for the party, like a job."

"What's different now?"

"I'm not sure. I just have a strong feeling that this is wrong."

"It's too late to back out now, Zul, my friend. You have agreed, and they have registered you. You have a seat on the bus. And ... don't forget that you have been paid."

"I know. But I'm still not sure I want to do it."

"Well, Zul, if you don't show up there will be consequences. Every vote counts, you know."

"I know. But maybe they don't really need my vote. It looks pretty certain that they will win again ... without me. Samy says it will be a cinch."

"Zul, you better come. I can't say what might happen if you aren't on the bus. Certainly your status in the party will be jeopardised. There might even be some punishment."

"I'm not so worried about that, Nor. I'm not very interested in the party right now."

"Zul, don't be silly, you are throwing away your future."

"I am thinking about my future. Further ahead than you might imagine."

"What are you talking about?"

"Nor, I am a Muslim."

"So am I. What about it?"

"In my heart I know this whole business is wrong. We aren't supposed to be voting in Lunas. We have been illegally registered, and now we are supposed to go there and cast a fraudulent vote for the BN candidate. I don't even know him."

"Are you having an attack of conscience?"

"You might call it that. It's actually a recognition that I am acting against my basic principles. It has been eating at me."

"Come on now, Zul, this is a small thing. Don't let it bother you. It's just part of politics."

"No ... Nor, it's more than 'just politics' ... it touches on who I am ... what I am. Before I just did what I was told, like a robot. I was just following orders. Now I know better."

"Zul, it is always like that ... just follow orders."

"I can't do it any more, Nor. Every time I pray I feel a pain inside. I know that I'm not following Allah's will for me. I am not a child, ignorant of what I'm doing. I'm responsible."

"What has happened to you? You were always such a strong party man."

"I think I have changed, Nor. It used to be important to win, to get ahead. Now it is becoming more important to do the right thing."

"Look, Zul, this is politics. What is right is decided at the top. These things are too complicated for us to understand. Our job is to just follow orders. We aren't supposed to make plans or evaluate the ethics. It can't work if everyone wants to make independent decisions. There must be coordination."

"I understand the necessity for that, Nor. The problem isn't in the organisational structure."

"What is it then?"

"It's the leadership, Nor. The leadership is using illegal means to win. We are being used, like morons, to achieve that result. I am an essential part of that. And it's wrong. It is a perversion of democracy. We are the enemies of democracy, acting to pervert the will of the people of Lunas. The leadership is making us do this."

"Zul, you talk like you want the opposition to win."

"Actually, they deserve to win."

"Zul, you are talking like a crazy man. The opposition can't run the country. They are just a bunch of reactionaries."

"I used to think like you, Nor. But I've begun to change my mind. I'm not so sure now."

"What changed your mind?"

"For one thing, the opposition is able to administer very well, it seems to me. They always find capable people who can get the job done ... and they impress me as being honest and sincere. I am more and more impressed by them. That should also make you stop and think, Nor."

"OK, Zul. I understand. Come on ... we'll miss the bus. We can talk about it on the way."