It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, depending on your politics. The lights were still on at Parliament Buildings, Stormont, yesterday but the place had the air of death about it.
The Executive held what will most probably be its last meeting discussing, among other things, a Weights and Measures Bill.
Afterwards a sober-faced Mr Seamus Mallon and Sir Reg Empey faced the press.
It was a sad day, the Deputy First Minister said, "quite tragic".
Mr Mallon, an old hand at poker, would not concede the game. "Nothing is ever over until the last card is played, and the last card has not been played," he said.
Downstairs his colleagues were finding it difficult to be as optimistic. Grim-faced SDLP and UUP members declined to say anything at all. There were big smiles from the DUP and other anti-agreement unionists.
The Stormont secretary, Ms Noreen Giffen, was collecting sponsorship for charity.
"We would normally give £20, but how about £40, given our celebratory mood?" said the DUP's Nigel Dodds.
"You're absailing down the Hilton Hotel?" asked Ian Paisley jnr. "Can't we get David Trimble to try that without the rope?"
"We aren't gloating that the Belfast Agreement is in trouble," said Mr Dodds. "But there is an air of quiet satisfaction in our ranks."
There was hardly a Shinner in sight yesterday. Those party members who recently walked Stormont's grand marbled corridors as if they had been doing it all their lives were nowhere to be seen.
The Stormont staff members were all talking about their jobs. The security guards thought they would lose theirs; messengers expected transfers. Canteen staff said suspension would mean less work.
The lunchtime gossip all week has concerned a framed photograph which has appeared on the sideboard of Peter Mandelson's office.
"It's a picture of his dog, Bobby, strapped into an aeroplane seat. Peter is very proud of Bobby," said one Assembly member.
Rumours circulated about last-minute deals involving Provisional IRA statements and timetables for decommissioning.
Dates have been set for meetings of the Assembly committees next week, and an Executive meeting has been scheduled for Tuesday. The authorities are not giving up easily.
"The Belfast Agreement is a political corpse, but they are still trying to pump in formaldehyde to make it appear alive," said the DUP press officer, St Clair McAllister. "It is reminiscent of the former Soviet Union when they went to any lengths to keep old leaders alive."