The Pickering Papers Aug 2013 | Page 24

OVERHEARD @ AGC

Defence counsel on why his client breached his probation order by staying out past 10 p.m.:

"Oh, i have an explanation for that. You see, he is intending to marry this girl. So, this was the first dinner with his in-laws."

*Makes hopeful, puppy-dog look to the video PTC camera in chambers, then sees both the prosecutor’s and the judge’s unimpressed faces*

“Oh well, I guess it’s not a great explanation…”

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Office Communicator is an unmined trove of Overheard gems. Here’s one example.

[Officer 1 to Officer 2]:

sorry to disappoint

but i have invited [Officer 3] for lunch

i know you must have been looking forward to collected, intelligent conversation

i'm afraid you must moderate your expectations a bit in light of the change in plans

meanwhile, Officer 1’s conversation with Officer 3:

[Officer 3] (AGC)

zzzzzz

hahaa

kkkkkkkk

[Officer 1] (AGC)

we are going to china sq

for korean food

[Officer 3] (AGC)

oooh

cool

ogayzzz

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Overheard at breakfast, courtesy of abovementioned Officer 3: “How do you spell F?”

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CNB Team leader to an errant investigation officer: “Please pull up your socks to the highest possible level.”

In open court, between the learned judge and a prosecutor who clearly never learned that, in Singapore, the letter W is pronounced “dahbjoo”.

Prosecutor: The accused is Yew –

District Judge (“DJ”): How do you spell that?

Prosecutor: Y – E – W.

DJ: Ah okay. Y – E – U – U.

Prosecutor: No, your Honour. Double U.

DJ: Yes, okay, Y – E – U – U.

Prosecutor: No Your Honour, not two Us. Double U.

DJ: Ah, okay okay.

Prosecutor: Phew.

DJ: What an unusual name eh, Yeuu. Haw haw.

Prosecutor: No Your Honour, double U. As in, W, X, Y…

Defence Counsel: W for Washington.

(Pause.)

DJ: OH. Ahh. That’s right. Er, heh heh.

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You know you’ve been in the legal service far too long when this makes sense to you (entirely fictional):

“Dear PA CP CJD

I routed an IM (re: advice to MinLaw) to CP CJD via ELMS this a.m. not realising he’s on VL. Pls re-route to CP EGD ASAP & cc DG, CLC and CC for their input. SG and AG have requested a week’s turnaround.

FYNA pls.”