In a shocking, never-before-seen turn of events, Premier Daniel Andrews' second-in-command has been caught eyeing off the coveted Victorian throne again. This recent development, snarking insiders have declared, is nearly as surprising as a Melbourne tram running late. Deputy Premier James Merlino, known for his passionate devotion to behaviour best described as 'politically ambitious', was recently seen lurking suspiciously near photos of Victoria's Parliament House, displaying an alarming amount of longing. Witnesses claim they saw his eyes 'literally dripping with raw, animalistic ambition,' a level of passion not seen since the last season of 'The Bachelor.' Merlino declined to comment when confronted with these shocking allegations. However, his shaky hands and the desperate glint in his eye said more than words ever could. “This is simply outrageous,” said an anonymous insider of the Victorian Labor party. “I’ve never seen anything like it. A politician…hungry for power? It’s inconceivable. Next, you’ll be telling me they like to have their picture taken or enjoy a free lunch." Meanwhile, in Team Andrews, lips are sealed tighter than the Premier's relentless grip on power itself. Could it be possible that we've been fooled all along by the ally Andrew believed in? Is this the beginning of a treacherous tale as old as time, or a canny political maneuver to keep people distracted from the critical issues at hand? Aside from our morning Insta feed of avocado toast and hipster lattes, watching politicians indulge in their natural habitat of backstabbing and power plays keeps most Victorians entertained on a dreary Monday. Because, let's face it, who doesn't love a good old-fashioned political drama? While we wait in breathless anticipation for the next act of this power-hungry performance, rest assured that somewhere in the manicured lawns of Victorian Parliament House, an ambition-crazed deputy can be found lurking, ever ready to pounce at the smell of power. After all, without a backdoor ploy or two, it really wouldn’t be a typical day at the office for our politicians, now, would it? Of course, this is all entirely hypothetical, deceitful political behavior is as rare as an empty seat on Melbourne's peak hour trams. We advise all Victorians to take this news with a pinch of salt and plenty of cynicism... the perfect accompaniments for any political meal.