Minutes before his much-awaited ICAC appearance, a confident-looking Arthur Sinodinos surprised the waiting journalists in the media room with a visit.
As if on an election campaign, the senator shook hands with his journo mates and exchanged pleasantries with his Order Of Australia medal pinned to his chest.
But that apparent confidence faded quickly as counsel assisting the ICAC, Geoffrey Watson SC, began his forensic questioning of the Liberal powerbroker.
A seemingly thirsty Senator Sinodinos downed litres of water as the former chairman of Australian Water Holdings repeatedly claimed he "did not recall" when asked questions about meetings he attended while at AWH.
The ICAC is investigating allegations AWH billed the state-owned Sydney Water for luxury travel, lavish salaries and limousine rides.
But Senator Sinodinos says he didn't know anything about those expenses or that AWH paid almost $75,000 in donations to the NSW Liberal Party despite being the party's treasurer.
"He's going to need to take a toilet break soon," one journalist in the media room joked.
"Don't worry, he's sweating it out," another replied.
Senator Sinodinos, who recently stepped down as assistant federal treasurer, repeatedly asked Mr Watson to rephrase his questions and at one point pushed the lawyer to the edge.
"Will you concentrate!" Mr Watson exclaimed.
"You want to get back to work no doubt, senator. So do I."
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