Plonkton Beat the Drum Slowly | Page 23

Pickles He stretched out his arms, awaiting the crowd’ s appreciation. But the crowd was not amused. The Cidermen were not amused either, they just couldn’ t work it out. Nor did the SS Men didn ' t smile- for their own long-term benefit. Twaddle Now PLEASE! SILENCE PLEASE: If you wish to hear my pronouncement about the Patricks. Kirkspringer The PATRICKS? Surely you mean the Paddy-pricks? You have been insulting the other home nations. Keep to form, Mister Twaddle. Twaddle Show a little respect Madam for those who are about to leave us. Kirkspringer Sorry! Twaddle It has been brought to my attention that the Falls Road in Belfast may not be easily adapted to cope with the influx of the numbers of repatriated people that I had in mind therefore: It is my belief that the‘ Pail’ around the Dublin area should be re-established to cater for the possible Belfast over-spill. Although, come to think of it, a bucket might suffice. Kirkspringer Where is the respect now? Twaddle It is just my appealing sense of humour. You all love it Ladies, don ' t you? Kirkspringer We just can ' t keep our hands off you or should I say our feet? Tucker And we won ' t- if you keep this up. Pickles Wild Will Tucker thrust a big, hairy fist in the air. Kirkspringer What about the Scoucers? What if there is a revolt and they overthrow their Manx Jailers? Twaddle Ah! The descendants of that illustrious lady- Saint Margaret May! It may be a good idea if they all walk backwards through the Mersey Tunnel- filling it in as they go. Pickles Marmaduke chortled, his fat belly bouncing up and down in a sort of flabby rhythm. I wandered across to have a closer look at his bouncing belly but was stopped short by the Social Security Men:“ Have you done any work since you last signed,” they enquired.‘ Right! All right!’ I protested.‘ Take your hands off me. I’ m not going to do Twaddle in or anything! Well- not until he settles his bill at the Speakeasy’. Snipes What about the immigrants from Zeal Monacorum? Pickles Perkin Snipes shouted up, trying to baffle the man with the pipe and fat ass. Marmaduke Twaddle cringed but he never admits defeat. Twaddle Err-- Zeal-- Zeal Monacorum. Zealots, I think you will find they are called. Well, I would hand out a few bags of crisps, as an insensitive for them to leave and a pocketful of roman candles should see off those who don’ t succumb to my offer. Pickles Everybody in the crowd, except the Cidermen and the SS Men, laughed their heads off. Lizzie Juggins probably was still laughing at the antics of the little man’ s belly but we have to give her the benefit of the doubt. Twaddle Mister Gallowsbird, put that smart-ass, Snipes, in your book as a Scoucer.