Curtain going up!

Attention Mr. Saturday night! Curtain's going up in half an hour.

There's a real sense of theatre on Capitol Hill tonight. At 8 o'clock on a Saturday night, Senators will cast a vote deciding whether they want to proceed with the debate over health care. Democratic leaders say they have enough votes - i.e. all 58 Democrats and both Independents - to put the bill in play. But it ain't over till the fat lady sings. Or at least until all the electronic votes are tabulated.

The vote itself will take less than 20 minutes. Followed by the press conferences where Democrats will congratulate themselves, Republicans will warn of the end of the world as we now know it.

It could be business as usual on any day of the week.

But there's something different about coming to work on a Saturday night. One staffer pulled up to the Capitol on a scooter wearing fancy black pants and patent leather heels. Looking around, it's clear she's not the only one with plans for the evening post vote. Everyone seems dressed up. Even the Capitol building, which sparkles at night when every light is lit and there isn't a parking place to be had for miles around.

Why a Saturday night? Next week is the Thanksgiving break - better known as a district work week. A Saturday night vote ensures that the Sunday morning talk shows will be full of analysis of the vote. And during a slow news week, Senate Democrats will have left enough fodder to last till December.

But that's next week.

Curtain's going up in a few minutes, ladies and gentlemen. Please turn off your cellphone and unwrap any candy so you won't disturb the players.