The former prime minister shut the door heavily behind him and leaned against it, his forehead resting softly against the wood. His lower lip began to tremble and a tear began its slow journey down his cheek.

A hesitant tap came from the other side and the soft voice of his wife floated through the door.

'Darling? Are you going to be alright...?'

He sighed heavily and turned away. After a minute of silence she whispered through the keyhole,

'It'll be ok… those traitorous bastards won't know what to do without you, this country will be screaming to have you back in days…'

And then at last he heard her footsteps fading away, he was finally alone, finally free to be with his thoughts. The single tear gave way to a torrent and a guttural sob wrenched from his throat.

He was no longer prime minster, no longer in power, ousted by his own party!

He walked across to the window overlooking the water – out at the lights of the city, at the people who despised him so.

His sobs began to subside and a laugh ripped through him.

He was no longer in power; he was no longer prime minister!

His spirits soared and he laughed so loudly his wife could hear him from all the way in the kitchen where she was preparing her sixth martini of the day.

Now he could do whatever he wanted, he was beholden to no one!

Hands shaking he withdrew a key from his desk and crossed over to a large framed painting on the opposite wall. Slowly he pulled the frame aside to expose a wall safe hidden in the darkness.

Still laughing and crying he unlocked the safe and the heavy steel door swung open.

His eyes shone bright as he gazed upon the contents. He grew quiet now his mind calm as he thought of his future, his freedom and everything from the past two years faded away.

He reached in and took out the rainbow speedo and body glitter.

'My time is now' he breathed, visions of Sydney Mardi Gras flickering in his head.

He clutched them to his chest and sighed, the sigh of a free man, eyes closed and full of possibility.