#24

[therealpm]

I really shouldn't allow The Machine to run unattended overnight. It seems to have become infested with these little monsters:



Transported most of them to Venezuala. An arch-mage there still hasn't returned my grimoire; perhaps a few demon-frogs will refresh his memory?

Comments

[coopertrooper.livejournal.com]

What on earth is that? It looks like a frog-shaped jelly sweet.

Not that I'd eat it if it was.

[therealpm.livejournal.com]

Frog demon.

I wouldn't advise it. Those spherical objects are eggs and the larvae are carnivorous.

[coopertrooper.livejournal.com]

That's disgusting.

I thought it might be some weird kid's toy. Only one day off work and half term is already getting to me?

...I can see how you've ended up in this state doing this sort of thing post-politics.

[therealpm.livejournal.com]

Hence why I removed them.

...are your children acidic-venom resistant?

I'd offer to set a few on Hancock, but you lot seem to have that covered.

[coopertrooper.livejournal.com]

No. I have enough trouble making sure they don't catch colds, thanks.

I have nothing to do with Hancock. Ed's set on getting revenge like we don't have enough people on the list to deal with.

[therealpm.livejournal.com]

Perhaps you and Bercow should timeshare childcare duties.

My mistake. Don't let him blow up anything too expensive. The party's finances are in a parlous enough state as it is.

[coopertrooper.livejournal.com]

Six children is too many for one person at a time. I think Mr Bercow has enough trouble with his three.

I'd be alright if Ed wasn't, uh, preocupied. He won't listen. I saw him walk in with an armful of fireworks a minute ago.

I'll make sure it doesn't go to the party treasurer.

[therealpm.livejournal.com]

John? Oh goodness, no, I meant Sally. The Mail would have field day about Labour-favouring bias if John took part.

...do I need to have a word with him? We've got a by-election in less than a month.

[coopertrooper.livejournal.com]

Even Sally... Hmm, I'll see.

He has been putting on a positive public image lately, let's be fair. I don't want you two to start fighting again, Peter.

But a gentle warning wouldn't hurt?

[therealpm.livejournal.com]

I agree, he has been doing very well, which is why I would prefer to nip this incident in the bud before it grows any bigger.

I'll have a quiet chat with him. As you say, a gentle reminder should be sufficient.

[coopertrooper.livejournal.com]

Yes. It was your lot that accused him of being bully before. He's not a bully. He's misunderstood.

[bamfbercow.livejournal.com]

"Transported most of them to Venezuala"? Dare I ask what happened to the rest?

[therealpm.livejournal.com]

Pets for Freddie's sixth birthday.

Potion ingredients. In this time of austerity, 'waste not, want not' becomes a moral imperitive.

[bamfbercow.livejournal.com]

How very 'green' of you.

[therealpm.livejournal.com]

Oh, I like to do my bit for the planet.

[bamfbercow.livejournal.com]

Mostly trying to figure out how to rule it.

Oh, I'm sure you do.

[therealpm.livejournal.com]

I already know how to rule it, but some people insist on getting in the way.

Not leaving lights on, teleporting rather than driving, using the minimum number of candles for an incantation... ...it all adds up, you know.

[bamfbercow.livejournal.com]

Oh yes, very self-sacrificing and altruistic indeed.

[therealpm.livejournal.com]

Mmmhmm, speaking of which, I'm sure Sally won't mind occasionally minding Yvette's children as well? I'm sure Meriel et al. will get on famously with your lot.

[bamfbercow.livejournal.com]

I'll ask Sally when I can drag her away from Twitter, but I can't see a problem, as long as it doesn't get into the papers. Quentin Letts already has it in for me. 'I'm a Balls man' then we're looking after his children? Even Alastair couldn't spin us out of that one...

[therealpm.livejournal.com]

I leave arranging the details in your capable hands.

[bamfbercow.livejournal.com]

And I leave the finer points to Sally once she's finished sorting out her latest Twitter slip up.

[coopertrooper.livejournal.com]

Peter, I didn't ask you to manage my childcare for me.

It's all fine.

[therealpm.livejournal.com]

But it would be useful fallback, especially in the run up to a by-election. Besides, children ought to socialise.

[coopertrooper.livejournal.com]

My children do socialise! They are socialists, after all ha ha, oh that's not funny...

I'll discuss it with Sally myself.