The day we have dreaded ever since the disastrous ninth inning of Game 5 of the National League Division Series between the Nationals and the St. Louis Cardinals is nearly upon us. Tomorrow, because of a bet between D.C. Mayor Vince Gray and St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay, a new flag will be flying in front of the John A. Wilson Building.

Instead of the three stars and twin stripes that bedeck D.C.’s standard, people approaching District headquarters tomorrow will be greeted with the Three Rivers banner that flies above St. Louis. Boo!

At least the District is not required to subject itself to any kind of ceremonial raising of the St. Louis flag, such as D.C. residents being forced to pledge fealty to Missouri. “We will simply fly the flag,” says Gray spokesman Pedro Ribeiro.

But there is a silver lining in all this. Mayor Slay might have is flag over D.C. tomorrow, but he’ll have to enjoy it while packing up a gift box for San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee. The Cardinals lost the National League Championship Series to the San Francisco Giants last night, after blowing a 3-1 series lead.

Because the Cardinals packed it in, Slay will be sending to Lee a shipment of St. Louis barbecue, toasted ravioli and a “court of St. Louis brews, led by the King of Beers,” aka Bud Heavy.