Mephisto speaks to Kofie Annan

Mephisto : Mr. Annan, how lovely to see you again.

Kofie Annan : You too Mr. Pheles

M : Mr. Annan, dear sir, I would like to ask you about your replacement.

KA : Yes, please do, go ahead.

M : Mr Ban Ki-Moon I believe his name is?

KA : Yes, although it's not officially decided yet of course.

M : Ahem, of course. Mr Ban Ki-Moon, isn't he the South Korean Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister presently?

KA : Yes, I believe he is.

M : I see. And have you accepted any of his gifts?

KA : Certainly not.

M : Ah, I see, but most of the security council members HAVE?

KA : That might be true, I couldn't possibly comment.

M : Yes, I see. The thing is, Mr Annan, the question I really want to ask, but, no, I fear I mustn't.

KA : Please ask whatever you would like to Mr Pheles.

M : Well, the other candidates, they don't have important governmental positions, right?

KA : I believe not.

M : And so they must pay for all of their own campaigning and travelling about to persaude people to vote for them, would that be an accurate comment my dear Mr. Annan.

KA : That's the way it usually works, yes.

M : I see. Indeed I see. But Mr Ban Ki-Moon, well, he's in a rather different position is he not? I mean to say, he can travel about the world under the guise of his governmental job, offering little, ahem, inducements and favours to anyone he takes a fancy to?

KA : I really couldn't comment on that.

M : So you've never been offered any little favours from him yourself?

KA : Certainly not, but then, it's not me he's trying to convince.

M : Yes, I see.

KA : Tea, Mr Pheles?

M : Oh, how lovely, yes please.