There were four businessmen in the room, and the room was set apart where none could approach, as befit the wealth and stature of each of the four. They were discussing policy.
“The government is soft”, one whined. “The President is an idiot.”
The man at the head of the table looked at the other three in turn and removed the stub of a cigar from his mouth. He dropped it casually into the slot at his right where it disappeared with a silent flash of disruption.
He said sarcastically, “I trust the gentleman who last spoke is speaking through habit only. We can afford to remember here that we are the government.”
There was a murmur of agreement.
With abject apologies to Isaac Asimov, who saw this coming.