Haven't flipped through "The Big Score" recently, but we must be further along in the book by now.

I think it's possible that more unity is required at this juncture by all the RoF players, else they risk losing a strategic piece of the McFauld's puzzle to any comers with cash in hand. Goes to show you that deals are being struck behind closed doors; you can feel the apprehension and the excitement despite the scarcity of PR and NR's.

To me, this news that PRB and NOT have decided it best not to quarrel tells me things are heating up very, very quickly, and time is of the essence. It may be that Cliff's is being pooh-poohed by some as a serious suitor, but the fact remains, they have taken a stake, they own shares, and any others who come a'courtin' must pay more than what Cliffs did. It's win-win for them.

So if consolidation is in the works, either to make oneself a bigger target or to turn the RoF into "One Stop Shopping" for a major, then it begs the question, "Does this make any outsiders ( FNC thus far) more vulnerable? This may be the time if anyone has an ace in the hole to be playing it if they still want to go it alone.

Lots to think about with this new info...