TRENTON – Things seem to have fallen apart, to paraphrase Chinua Achebe.

Senate President Steve Sweeney (D-3) appeared in the chamber again.

He talked to Speaker Vincent Prieto.

Then he talked to Senator Dick Codey (pictured above). The man whom Sweeney deposed out of leadership now appeared in the role of coach and confessor.

No one spoke of a deal to avert a government shutdown.

The ship of state was headed toward an iceberg, and people automatically corrected to their natural selves.

Rumpled reporters milled, looking bored and annoyed.

Frumpy lawmakers milled, trying to look upbeat and camera-ready.

The overall portrait conveyed a lack of success.