The Sleeping Army Awakes

Part 21 The end of the meal at the Carbuncle

Sir Percy regarded Sir Gilbert with one eye closed. When he had both open at the same time, he saw two versions of his rival. Sir Percy had long ago decided, that one Sir Gilbert was more than sufficient for any occasion.

Spencer recognised the usual signs that the proceedings were coming to an end. He settled the bill, electronically, using his Dudat, after having made certain deductions, despite protests from the hastily promoted and petrified, new manager, Bung Hang. Bung Hang was the nephew of his absconding predecessor and grandson of the owner.

Spencer made a note on his Dudat, to put the meal down to business expenses, even though no business had been conducted, and no agreements had been struck, other than the notions that Crab and Fish Stomachs for supper was a thoroughly disgusting idea, and that it was a good idea to murder the occasional servant, just to keep the others loyal and attentive, as long as this did not become too much of a habit.

"Tuer de temps en temps a. Pour encourager les autres" Or "kill a leader from time to time, to encourage the others," as Napoleon is reputed to have remarked at the battle of Minorca.

Groups of gaudily dressed, jittery, but still permanently smiling, restaurant staff, stood poised to whisk away any errant cutlery, chopsticks or debris from the table and the floor surrounding it. There was lots detritus below the table because of the rather random nature of Sir Percy and Si Gilbert's eating techniques.

Honza Malik and Anton Bouřak, the leaders of the respective security teams had relaxed and were discussing their plans for a safe, coordinated, and if possible, dignified, withdrawal from the event.

"Well Gilly enough is assss good assss a feasssst!" Sir Percy announced finally and passed out, falling forwards onto the table. A pair of his guards deftly came to his aid, one each side.

Sir Gilbert was already snoring stabilised by two of his security team.

By silent agreement between Spencer and Ruthers, signalled only by the raising of one eyebrow each, the feast was declared officially over.

All of the excess food, both the corpulent, semi-conscious and bloated combatants, were carried back to their respective helicopters on stretchers and whisked away.