Canadian Politeness Reserve Releases Emergency Supply of 'Actually'

The newsroom's fictional Canadian diplomacy office has authorized limited use of 'actually' after softer phrases failed to correct a misunderstanding. Officials describe the word as a calibrated escalation beneath outright disagreement.

Li Wei received a briefing on the ladder: gentle pause, apologetic clarification, actually, and finally the rarely deployed 'with respect.' Each stage requires training in maintaining a pleasant expression.

Heinrich urged immediate use of the strongest available phrase. The Canadians offered him tea and a chance to reconsider. He has now spent six hours agreeing that caution is sensible while waiting for someone to approve his original question. The reserve remains secure, though stocks of 'sorry' are being replenished.