"You want to be Brutus? You want to stab me on the steps to preserve the republic?"
Ethan didn't smile. His expression was exceptionally grave.
"If I have to."
Ethan replied.
"I will."
Leo looked at Ethan's sternly righteous face and stood up.
He circled the coffee table and came to stand before Ethan.
"Ethan, do you really think that?"
"Do you really think you're this angry because you're worried Pittsburgh will become a dictatorship?"
Ethan frowned. "Of course. It's a matter of principle."
"No."
Leo shook his head.
"You're lying to yourself."
Leo leaned in, staring into Ethan's eyes.
"You're afraid."
"You're afraid of becoming a traitor yourself."
Ethan froze. "What are you talking about?"
"Let's be honest, Ethan."
"You're a Washington man. There, your party registration is your ID, your career passport."
"You can engage in intra-party struggles, backstab your colleagues, even send your rivals to prison. None of that is a problem. It's all in-house."
"But."
