Get ready for some Senate drama this week.

Roland Burris is expected to show up for work in the Senate as the junior senator from Illinois – no matter what, or who, may stand in his way.

Burris is the former attorney general chosen by beleaguered Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich to fill Barack Obama’s Senate seat. There have been reports that, even though Burris insists he doesn’t want any drama when he comes to Washington, armed guards may be at the ready should he try to enter the Senate chamber.

But today, Burris’s chances may be better. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-NV, seems to have done an about-face; he previously led Senate Democrats in saying that there’s no way they’d let Burris through the door, since his appointment would forever taint the seat. But now, Reid has opened the door to the possibility that Democrats may let Burris serve. 

"I’m an old trial lawyer. There’s always room to negotiate," said Reid, a Nevada Democrat, on NBC’s "Meet the Press." [Read the transcript here.]

But he admitted "it’s going to be very difficult" for Burris to be accepted in the Senate.

So what caused Reid’s change of heart?

The Sun-Times reported Sunday that during past discussions about the open seat, Reid told Blago he would prefer he appoint Attorney General Lisa Madigan or State Veterans Affairs Chief Tammy Duckworth (both fine ladies) over three black, male politicians: U.S. Rep. Danny Davis, U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. or former Illinois Senate President Emil Jones.

The New York Times reports that Reid seemed concerned that some of the Democrats mentioned as possible appointees might be harder to elect when the appointment period expires in two years.

Reid suggested Sunday that the governor fabricated this and that the debate over the seat had nothing to do with race. In fairness to Reid, it’s expected that he would want to ensure that any Democrat seated would have good chances at being elected by the people in two years, given how closely divided the Senate is.

"He’s making all this up. For anyone to suggest anything racial is part of the Blagojevich spin," Reid said.

As for Burris, he’s ready to go. He’s already calling himself "the junior senator from the state of Illinois."

"Friends, we’re going to have to have some powerful prayer … They can’t deny what the Lord has ordained,” Burris said during a speech from the pulpit of a South Side Chicago church on Sunday. "I’m going to be as diplomatic and professional as I can be. I’m going to have to work with the other 99 senators … I will not create any theater."

We’ll see about that. There’s bound to be a bit of "theater" — and it’s the kind we’d pay good money to see.

Reid will meet with Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-KY, today. Reid and Assistant Majority Leader Richard Durbin, D-IL, will meet with Burris on Wednesday, the day after Congress reconvenes. But the Chicago Sun-Times says Burris plans to show up Tuesday, a day early, and will demand to be sworn in.

Burris’s attorney, Timothy White, told The Hill that if Reid prevents Burris from being sworn in Tuesday, Burris will take his plea to the courts. Burris plans to be seated with or without Senate-approved credentials.

"The plan for Tuesday is to do what every other senator does, to come to the Senate with our credentials and seek the same treatment as everyone else," White said. "The law is clear. This is in no doubt, no question."

Here’s a partial video of Reid’s talking about Burris on "Meet the Press":