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Where to now for Tony Abbott?
The answer to that question might still be almost as much a mystery to him as it is to the rest of us.
There are only ever a few appropriate options available to prime ministers once they leave office.
If they leave the top job under highly controversial circumstances, as did Mr Abbott, the choices narrow even further.
Whatever the path, it should be signposted with the dignity worthy of a former national leader.
No indication yet, either in the way Mr Abbott resigned, spoke to the media (and therefore the people), or absented himself from Parliament, that he is coping well with his demise.
And there has been no suggestion from his successor that the ousted prime minister will be offered a ministerial berth in the Malcolm Turnbull cabinet.
Even if an invitation were issued, which is a doubtful prospect to begin with, it would be highly unlikely Mr Abbott would accept.
If we are to take Mr Abbott at his word – and why shouldn't we? – he will not be embarking on a course of wrecking, undermining and sniping.
So there should be no reason why he wouldn't stick around in Parliament as a humble backbencher.
A backbencher with former PM status, however, which obviously places him a cut above the rest.
Sitting among colleagues who brought him down might not be a comfortable fit, yet to leave before the next election would force a byelection in his NSW seat of Warringah.
Mr Abbott won the seat in a byelection in 1994 and has held it for the Liberal Party ever since.
Giving up the electorate might only be marginally less traumatic for Mr Abbott as leaving the prime ministership. Or maybe not.
Warringah will stay in Liberal hands whenever the electorate votes again, so the former prime minister could feel assured the government's numbers would not be risked if he vacated early.
There is a very good chance Mr Abbott will pull the pin soon and either enjoy a comfortable retirement or take up some form of high level business consultation and lobbying.
He never offered himself up for too many media interviews while in office but that could change now the shackles are gone.
It probably won't be too soon, but Tony Abbott guest political commentator is a possibility.
Appointments to various boards could also be in the offing. But so, too, could be a diplomatic posting.
Foreign affairs was never one of Mr Abbott's strengths and being named as an ambassador or some form of envoy could have a downside for the government.
The double-barrelled upside being that it would be a magnanimous gesture from Mr Turnbull while also keeping Mr Abbott in the tent.
Whatever the future holds for Mr Abbott, there are enough members of his party who will always regard him as Liberal hero and will now see him as one of the nation's elder statesmen.
A highly effective opposition leader who couldn't translate that success once power was seized still has a lot to offer.
