1) The document discusses a government in "purdah", a period before an election when public policy-making is restricted. 2) Employees at an Agency debate whether they should try to influence the election outcome or just wait for it to be over since influencing it could jeopardize their jobs. 3) One director tried to avoid signing a contract by fleeing to the bathroom, but it's unclear if he was successful in getting out of it. The Agency is growing new heads rapidly but it's uncertain which positions may be eliminated after the election.