TENSE, nervous, repetitive. The end may be in sight but Tony Blair appears unable to believe that his party can finally be victorious.
Despite the promise of spontaneity, and surprises, the Labour leader and his team seem unwilling to change tactics. On board hid red and purple battle bus, the atmosphere is subdued. Everybody worrying that someone, some where, is going to "blow it", allowing the Tories to scrape back in.
With just 48 hours till the polling booths open, Mr Blair set out yesterday to "blitz" as many marginal seats as possible. First stop via helicopter was Gloucester, oar of the seats on Labour's hit list.
This was "switchers territory". Waving a Labour flag eagerly, Debbie Iddles, a factory worker from Cheltenham, explained she had decided to switch from voting Green to Mr Blair because of his animal welfare policy.
Ms Iddles was unable to state exactly what the policy was, just that she believed in it. "I have never considered voting for any of the main parties before but this time Tony has my vote, she said.
Another Tony fan was Margaret Randi. Once a Tory diehard, she was now committed to voting New Labour. "He's just wonderful," she declared, her eyes glazing over.
"He knows what it is all about. He is a clean, straightforward, honest man. The smell on this side of the fence is much better, fresh and clean, unlike those others who are immersed in disgusting sleaze. I just love the man, he is just great."
As his bus pulled in to Gloucester Civil Service Club, Mr Blair was greeted by one heckler waving a home made placard accusing him of "gagging" the trade unions and demanding "no more lies".
Bored and frustrated, the reporters began to recite Mr Blair's off the cuff speeches by heart, and then fantasised about the "programme going wrong", with Mr Blair suddenly proposing to put 250,000 people on the dole and predicting that pensioners are the country's future.
But it was not to be. For the fifth time that day, Mr Blair announced he was taking nothing for granted and that this election "is not over until it is over".
Sharing a platform with his new leader was the Number One Turncoat, the former Tory MP, Alan Howarth, who is now contesting Newport East for Labour. Eager to prove his commitment to the cause, he repeatedly thanked Mr Blair for "providing inspiration to millions of people" and predicted he would be moving into 10 Downing Street on Friday.
To loud cheers, Mr Howarth then introduced his former Conservative opponent and another turn coat, Gareth Jenkins, a 31 year old estate agent who was now a card carrying member of the Labour Party. "I am still working on my Conservative opponent to switch," joked Mr Blair.
And then to the five minute walkabout. Mr Blair mingled with the crowd, smiling inanely, as his wife, Cherie, followed loyally behind. Like pop stars, the Blair entourage shook hands with their fans and signed autographs on New Labour flags and posters.
As Mr Blair went to shake yet another hand, he was confronted by a huge bouquet of artificial flowers. Clearly taken by surprise, he immediately called for his wife. "Ooh, my goodness, aren't they magnificent," said Cherie.
Presenting her with the bouquet, Mr John Strode said he hoped they would match the colour scheme at Downing Street. Another Tory switcher, he also felt it was time for a change. "I want a compassionate government. The Tories have changed society, and not for the better. I feel very strongly that enough is enough, it is time for a fairer and just society," he added.
Willingly confessing his "sins" to the media, Mr Jenkins said he realised he had a problem when he tried to write his election address and surprisingly found he did not agree with the Tories' policies.
Proudly displaying a large red rosette on his lapel, he confided he had then rung the "enemy", Mr Howarth, to seek salvation because he, too, had seen the light.
"I voiced my concern, my disillusionment with the Tories' drift to the right, and realised that I agreed with Labour's vision," he added.
Back on the bus, it became apparent Mr Blair was not going to mingle with the hardened press pack who had faithfully reported his every move during the six week campaign. Instead, our chaperone tried to calm frayed tempers with a peace offering of tea, coffee, beer and pizzas.
"It would be too spontaneous for Blair to join us," quipped one journalist. "The only time he came for a drink was when we stayed at a hotel and then we had to pay for his company.
"We later found we had been overcharged for our rooms at Labour's request."
The next stop was Bristol for a "non-triumphalist" rally with the Labour Party faithful. The local Tory candidate attempted to hijack the bus procession through the city centre by pursuing the entourage with a loud hailer. "New Labour, new hypocrisy. Save the nation, vote honest John Major. Don't be fooled by phoney Tony," he shouted.
Inside Bristol Council House, Mr Blair preached to the converted. The only unscripted moment was when somebody shouted. "Hope you are not going to wear that blue tie again, Tony.
To which a shocked Mr Blair replied. "Sorry about that, but if that is the worst you can say about me, it's not too bad."
Clearly determined to prove that he was not a Tory clone, Mr Blair insisted there was "clear blue water" between the two parties, the main difference being "the buck will stop with me and my team".
Denouncing the Tories' scare mongering tactics, Mr Blair argued that Mr Major did not deserve to be in government for another five minutes. "The Tories have been found out because the British people know that hope is a stronger weapon than fear," he said.
And then to the surprise of many, Mr Blair suddenly evoked the memory of John Smith, the late Labour leader. In an emotional voice, he quoted Mr Smith's request to the British people on the night before he died.
"All we ask for is a chance to serve."