#35

[therealpm]

Progress on The Machine: Improved psuedo-synapsial cables and a workbench for grinding out the bespoke quartz lenses required for sub-cellular resolution on the omniview have arrived. 

John, no word as yet on the construction of the green tea sub-unit, so you retain a position of at least some importance to Her Majesty's Government.

Comments

[bamfbercow.livejournal.com]

*sips tea* I haven't done it in years but I'm sure I could pick it up again quickly. Same as flying, I suppose. Not that you could possibly need my help, of course.

[therealpm.livejournal.com]

...

*glare*

I do not require your help grinding lenses, no. But, as you may recall, it does take rather a long time and more than one pair of hands would speed up the process.

[bamfbercow.livejournal.com]

Gosh you're uptight today, I was joking. Although, if you would like some help, even if it's just to stop you getting bored, you could do worse than, oh I don't know, ask me to do so?

[therealpm.livejournal.com]

No flying jokes.

...I would ask you to help me set up the lens grinder, but I've seen your efforts with sofa beds.

[bamfbercow.livejournal.com]

I'll freely admit I'm no very good at setting up equipment, but once I know it's not going to kill or entrap me, I'm fine with practical things usually.

[therealpm.livejournal.com]

*unpacks various spindles and chocks*

Hold this.. and this.

*passes over something twisted and metallic*

Don't stab yourself on that.

[bamfbercow.livejournal.com]

Peter, I do know how to hold an object without stabbing myself, thank you.

*peers into boxes*

Are you sure you know how all of this goes together?

[therealpm.livejournal.com]

You know the location of the first aid box for when you do.

*levers out heavy base blocks and fits them together*
*checks each granite support carefully for damage and then slides them into the frame*
*takes out bag of nails*

There should be a toolbox in the corridor cupboard. Fetch another pot of tea whilst you're up?

[bamfbercow.livejournal.com]

*Igor impression - limp, lisp, pretend hump, the works* Yes, Master; certainly Master...

*Theatrically limps off to get toolbox and make tea*

[therealpm.livejournal.com]

*eyebrowraise*

I was not aware that The Machine's excellent manners were so contagious.

*spreads the pieces of the small, brass winding mechanism out on the floor and slowly begins to slot it together*

[bamfbercow.livejournal.com]

*returns with toolbox and tea*

They're not, don't get too used to it.

What can I do then? Stand back and wait until it's all assembled?

[therealpm.livejournal.com]

Catch.

*lobs a chunk of quartz over*

Split it into slices roughly half a centimetre thick and 5cm diameter. There should be mallet and chisel in the toolbox*

[bamfbercow.livejournal.com]

*Catches*

Right-o

*Get mallet and chisel*

...you do have a first aid kit close by, don't you? Just in case?

[therealpm.livejournal.com]

*waves arm dismissively*

Yes. In the kitchen. In that cupboard.

*returns to putting together the brass mechanism*

*sets it delicately on the frame and begins to tap in the nails*

[bamfbercow.livejournal.com]

...why am I still not reassured by that?

*starts working on quartz*

Bloody hell, I haven't done this in years... Freddie's not learning how to do this yet, got it?

[therealpm.livejournal.com]

*stifles yawn*

John, the only 'Young Labour' of which I approve is our party's youth wing.

*gets hit by an errant chip of quartz*
Ow! Years or decades?

[bamfbercow.livejournal.com]

Decades.

Peter, if you're tired we could just do this tomorrow instead?

[therealpm.livejournal.com]

*glances over at mutilated piece of rock*

...perhaps, if only to give me a chance to buy replacement substrate.

[bamfbercow.livejournal.com]

Alright, we'll try again tomorrow.

At least I didn't need the first aid kit...