ALBANY—Reporters were seated in a gigantic auditorium, with movie-theater-style seating and oak-paneled walls, a room normally used for legislative hearings. But today, State Senate Republicans and Pedro Espada Jr. called a public negotiating session here for noon, which Democrats, after agreeing to attend, decided not to attend.

At first, Espada and Republican Leader Dean Skelos sat for a while at a table in front of the room, in front of half a dozen television cameras and an audience of staffers, lobbyists and other Republican senators. Then they dimmed the lights, and on a massive screen began showing a video montage of the June 8 coup. Skelos and Espada stood, hands folded, watching. Peter Kosinski, a Republican attorney with a deep baritone, dryly provided narration.

"What's the point of showing this?" asked Fred Dicker.

"It's like the Zapruder film," said another reporter.

The entire time, an audible ticking—like an egg timer—could be heard throughout the room. Two empty chairs next to Skelos and Espada had placards indicating they were for Senators John Sampson and Malcolm Smith, the Democratic leaders. 

"I want to thank all of you for being here this afternoon," Skelos said at about 12:15 p.m. "I should point out that Senator Sampson originally indicated that there would be no further negotiations unless they were in public. Senator Espada and I immediately agreed to it, and needless to say, we are disappointed by their lack of attendance."

He then spoke, from prepared remarks, of the need for a long-term bipartisan agreement.

Then Espada spoke. "Good afternoon. My name is Pedro Espada, and I just want to embellish slightly," he said.

"I don't know why Senator Sampson called me about an hour and a half ago and indicated he would be here, along with Senator Smith and possibly others," Espada claimed. "It's disappointing, but the day is long."

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