Such has been the extraordinary nature of this election campaign that the script surely demands an extraordinary ending.
Anything else will leave those watching this political theatre par excellence feeling distinctly short-changed.
That would be very much the case if the result merely echoed the current arrangement which has National governing in the minority with backing on confidence and supply from Act, United Future and the Maori Party.
That could easily happen. National, of course, would be well satisfied with that.
But it is potential eventualities either side of that "repeat" scenario which are intriguing.