Battle-tested to transactional

     "We weren't running," some jetted away unified on message.  "And we're not chasing you," a media rep said.  The airport lounge was dull and the sounds were absorbed into the place.  More talk for the saturated sponge. 

     What was clear to everyone was that every nation was armed to the teeth and monies flowing because of ongoing war were allowing the beast of war to keep building itself. 

     "Talks" could only happen commeasurate to accounting. 

     "We can't make that promise," world leaders were talking about nation's stands as they would talk about being at home.  Neighbor kid wants to borrow the ladder.  Some leaders were like...We're not even home yet.  So?  So, I don't even know if the ladder is where I left it.  And who is the kid?

     A wife of one diplomat cautiously shared a cranberry muffin with the wife of another diplomat.  "That way we can keep our mouths full and talk less." 

     "That's good," a President remarked, "Keep listening." 

     Paragraph after paragraph was moved from the TO BE DONE to the COMPLETED task pile.