As the final days before the historic 2008 election wind down we find Chongo Chimp sitting at a desk in a poster-strewn APP campaign office, his shirtsleeves unbuttoned, a bit fatigued after a hectic round of speeches and trips to key states. He is eying the latest poll results collected by his faithful and hard-working campaign manager, the attractive dark-haired Renata Carson.

"So, the way I see it, Renata, we ain't managed to break through...ummm...the one and a half per cent mark nationwide?"

Renata sighs and frowns. "It's worse than that, Chongo. We're holding firm at a quarter of a per cent...except in Texas. There we're at negative 2 per cent. I don't even know how that's possible, but that's the reports I'm getting."

"Goddamn Texans," mutters Chongo. "They hate apes and monkeys down there. They oughta be kicked out of the Union and have to go begging to Mexico or else make it on their own."

"I'm afraid the country just isn't ready to take this step, Chongo. I thought we could do better than this, but I underestimated the degree of specist prejudice out there. I take full responsibility for the failure to get our message across to my fellow humans."

"No way, Renata!" says Chongo. "You been doin' an incredible job. Anyone else woulda thrown in the towel months ago, but you just kept pluggin' away, and I will always be grateful for what you done on my behalf...and on behalf of all of my fellow primates."

The normally calm and cool Ms Carson's eyes well up at hearing that, and Chongo stretches out a hand (paw?) and pats her comfortingly on the shoulder.

"Look," he says, "this ain't no surprise to me. I knew this was gonna happen. I didn't run expectin' to win this election, Renata. I ran in order to make a stand for all my brothers and sisters out there who been laborin' for years in the shadow of "The Man" and gettin' no respect. I ran in order to make a stand fer them what's incarcerated inside steel cages for the entertainment of dumb rubes from the suburbs. I ran in order to set a precedent. No one is ever gonna be surprised again that a chimp dared to run for the highest office in the land. I am crackin' open a locked door that has been locked since men first enslaved apes and dragged 'em outta the jungle and used 'em in cheap used furniture ads and dumb Tarzan movies. This is just the first step in a long, long struggle. Someone had to do it, so I did it. We have just begun to fight for our rights."

"Yes, I see that," responds Renata, dabbing at her eyes with some kleenex. "Well, what are we going to do on the day after?"

"The way I see it," says Chongo, "first we go do our civic duty and go out and vote. I might vote for me...or I might just vote for Obama. Hell, he's from Chicago too, and I basically like the guy. His struggle fer equality is quite a few steps farther along from mine, but I can relate. I useta have a grudge against Black African humans because of stuff that happened way back in the old country, but it ain't the same here in the USA. I'm thinkin' differently now. I gotta put away those old grudges and work for the common good now. And after that? It'll be back to earnin' a living, I guess, the usual stuff. How 'bout you?"

"I have my paralegal work to do, and I love it," replies Renata, "but I have some other ideas too. I'm thinking of starting up a Primate-Human Friendship and Awareness center, with equal representation on staff. If I do, can I count on your help?"

"Damn!" says Chongo. "That is a great idea, Renata! You bet we can get together on that. I am with ya all the way."

"So...who do you think is going to win?"

"I figger it two ways, Renata. One: Obama will win, if it's a fair vote count. Two: He won't if there is some massive fraud with them computers and stuff. I'm hopin' that don't happen, cos it won't be good if it does, not good at all. Anyways....whaddya say we find a nice club to go to and have a meal and somethin' good to drink and forget about all this for a coupla hours? We done what we could. This is the last hurrah. Let's take a break."

"I can definitely go for that," replies Renata, flashing her "million-dollar smile" at Chongo. "Let's go."

"Oh, I forgot," she says as they step out onto the street. "There was another call from that crazy female supposed chimp who says she's your sister. 'Chinga'. The usual wild threats and accusations..."

Chongo rolls his eyes. "Boy, it takes all kinds, don't it? That one just don't give up. I wonder if she really is a chimp or if it's a human with a mental problem? Who the hell would call themselves 'Chinga'? I know what that word means. I ain't stupid. Look, Renata, you get anymore calls from her, just put her on hold and tell her I'll be there in fifteen or twenty minutes...and if I ain't....then start without me."

They laugh merrily and head off down the street together.

Somewhere birds are singing
Somewhere poets yearn
Somewhere bells are ringing
And somewhere candles burn
Somewhere in this magic land
Lives love, tender and kind
You won't find it there in Chinga
She's out of her flipping mind!