#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

[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.

[therealpm.livejournal.com]

Somewhat cynical of you to assume a twitter faux-pas. Have you no faith in your wife's... tweeting abilities?

[bamfbercow.livejournal.com]

No

I was merely joking. I'm sure there's some other reason she's frantically tapping away at the keyboard, ignoring the rest of the world...

[therealpm.livejournal.com]

I am sure she will inform you of that reason in the fullness of time.

[bamfbercow.livejournal.com]

I'm sure, I'm sure...

[therealpm.livejournal.com]

...and it will not be a topic of any interest to the press.

Quick drink?

[bamfbercow.livejournal.com]

I can't see a reasonable argument against it!

[therealpm.livejournal.com]

*pours two glasses*

Shocking behaviour by parliament, taking a week off when the rest of the country is in such a parlous state, have they no sensitivity to the economic situtation for the majority of the populace etc. etc.

[bamfbercow.livejournal.com]

Oh be quiet. This Commons has had shorter holidays than any you had when you were in this chamber rather than The Other Place.

[therealpm.livejournal.com]

I know this information may come as a surprise John, so set your glass down and prepare yourself.

...

Ready?

...

My statement may not have been entirely sincere, indeed, there may have been more than a trace of sarcasm.

I know, I know, it's a shock to the system.

[bamfbercow.livejournal.com]

...Sarcasm? F-from you? I-I-I... that's... it's...

I'm almost speechless.

Almost.

[therealpm.livejournal.com]

John, it will be a very long, and very chilly, day in hell before anything renders you speechless.

[bamfbercow.livejournal.com]

Hence 'almost'.

[therealpm.livejournal.com]

Was the shock sufficient to convert you to a life of sober neckwear, or will further succussion be necessary?

[bamfbercow.livejournal.com]

Oh not yet; sarcasm from you isn't that rare, after all.

[therealpm.livejournal.com]

Well, if giving your son a tail wasn't sufficient, I'm not sure what will be. Suggestions?

[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.

[therealpm.livejournal.com]

I did not intend to suggest otherwise, in both cases.