"We went all the way to Alaska to cover a meeting between the two most duplicitous human beings in the whole wide world, genuinely hoping they'd agree an honest deal with each other within a few hours.
"We're really that naive.
"Now the peace talks between Trump and Putin have failed, the line we've decided to run is that we went all the way to Alaska for nothing and it's not fair.
"Honestly, we don't know why we do this job.
"Oh, yes. We remember.
"It's for the air miles, the expense account food and hotel stays on assignment, the duty free at the airports, and the chance to show off to all our colleagues when we get back.
"Saying 'I flew all the way to Alaska for nothing and Putin didn't answer my question in the press conference' sounds sickengly smug to a copytaker in the newsroom who's just taken the train in from Penge.
"We love doing that."
