The directors have concluded their negotiations with new union contract in hand like confident cats, stretching lazily in the sun and saying to writers, “See how easy that was? How fast and simple? Now why can’t you do that?”

It makes the guys holding picket signs look like ineffective chumps.

Writers are out there striking and chanting and denying the world any more new episodes of “Law & Order: Criminal Intent,” while the directors sauntered in and made a groundbreaking deal that got them a bunch of new media windings.

The writers fume: Those damn directors get all the cute girls — and they get better residuals on ad-supported streaming! No fair!

Relax kids.

The directors got their great deal because you went on strike and pushed the negotiating envelope. They’re standing on the backs of your hard work. You know, like always. Now you just gotta put a tie on, go back into negotiations and score a few fresh victories and you’ll look like geniuses.

The big question: Will studios do a “take it or leave it” and insist writers accept the directors contract?

This is a toughie. If the date was late December or early January, I’d say: Yup, that is exactly what the studios would do. Already some writers are saying “Take the deal! Take it! Take it! Take it!” So issuing a stern ultimatum would divide the WGA membership and make leaders have to battle their membership and send the whole thing into a scuffle for a few more weeks.

But everybody is getting kinda tired of this whole strike thing.

Advertisers are pissed. Viewers are ignoring ABC and CBS. Next season’s pilots are in jeopardy. And all parties want the Oscars to air next month.

Rodd Serling’s bet: With informal talks beginning this week, the writers will make a deal in this round.