A word of advice. Don't stop reporting on a huge legislative development with far-reaching national security and civil liberties implications for several hours while you see a movie and have a couple beers and then agree to go on BBC World to discuss a state of play that's been completely overtaken by events. To World Service listeners, if that made it to air, sorry.

However, if you need to use a bar's phone so an international call can reach you on a landline, Solly's at 11th and U Street is remarkably accommodating. Would that every neighborhood pourhouse could function so adequately as a makeshift media center.