Sarcs – what can I say, terrific work. Brava and unlimited Choc frogs.....
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Your breadcrumb trail allows the astute reader to find their own pathway; the AFP have a little less (or much more) work to do now methinks. Reading through the story above, as seen through the investigators eyes, rather than the lay perspective, raises some very interesting questions. The most intriguing is why go to such extraordinary lengths and risk so much ?, what was the motive? We have lived, for quite a while now with some of the most unbelievable, unholy cock-ups imaginable; but, (probably much to CP's disgust) either conspiracy, collusion or corruption, all with a capital C seem to creeping slowly, but steadily into the picture. Beating up a pilot or fooling a department head, or beguiling the public is one thing; but messing about with the Senate in this manner is beyond the pale and has ended with a MoP. Theory (Bliss, wind and speculation) being proven correct that is. Even if it's all bollocks, it's an interesting theory and great work....
So, lets see what you have entered for the MoP stakes: 'Canadian Club' will be carrying additional handicap weight; so a prudent even money SP, I think.
Now this new entrant of yours has not been handicapped as it has never raced in this type of event before. Good pedigree though, from a line known for stamina, intelligence and a turn of speed when required. Both stable and trainer have a good record and have not been troubled overly much by the Stewards and first class connections. So: a starting price and form guide for 'Chapter Seven'; hmm, lets see not gelded, out of Commonwealth Coin by Sterling Service, raced well overseas and at home, the bloodlines providing the 'necessary' to win @ 3/2 odds on, we shall revise that after studying the track work results. (Best not to mention my little SP book to the connections eh).....
It remains to be seen what effect these new entrants will have on MoP field.
(Mods and gods permitting) = = = = = = The Legend of Sleepy Hollow; chapter two..
Well, as you can imagine, it took the pigeon quite a while to reach the GWM outpost, being as the plan was fairly heavy. But eventually, exhausted the bird made it through the portals and into the lair of a subordinate GWM Vizier Wannabee (VW). The DGV had, for various, nefarious reasons wanted to bring his protégé into the spotlight. The rumour, now lost in the mists of legend, was that the DVG wanted to retire after a short spell as GV, something to do with arcane pension rights, but wanted his clan properly placed before doing so – anyway. The ladder selected for VW was strewn with snakes of a venomous, aggressive variety, who had staked a claim to the ladder and were prepared to defend it; in that cowardly way snakes have. Previously, VW had fumed and fussed; unfortunately, as a minor unqualified minion, dependant on nepotism, he had neither the balls or brains to tackle the snakes head on. But, the plan of the DVG assured him that the King had specifically directed the GV to 'get this done', which effectively gave VW a lot of tacit clout (for nothing could be committed to writing).
Not being one to let the grass grow and assured of unlimited support from the GV, he started to 'get on with it' as scripted until later that afternoon when the little devil, which we all have attached to our left ear, spoke in a seductive, husky, whispering tone. "Mate, think a little further than the DVG plan; you can really shake this loose, make a great name for yourself, earn some fear, respect, street cred' and clean out those pesky snakes to boot". On and on it whispered until, filled with a great sense of self importance, ego gratifying blood lust, VW set to work – on his own account with a modified script. Without the little devil's advice he decided that a Captains scalp would look butch, dangling from his sporran, which added a certain piquancy to the wicked brew.
With a twirl of the golden pen, he sent his lackeys (dressed as snakes) to work; the full Monte all stops out. Investigations were ordered, audits conducted, little tweeks here, twerks there, special this and special that until no matter which way it went; his name would shine bright in the halls of Sleepy Hollow, so much so that he decided to sign many documents with it. He knew it was naughty, but he figured bugger process, sod policy and damn protocol – I am protected, "paper-work cut to order" was his catch cry. It was with great dreams and schemes the finishing touches were lovingly painted onto the canvas of vaunting ambition. In the VW mind, this was all such an unmitigated success, such a sure fire winner; and, so impressed with his own work was he that, in his haste for fortune and glory several small details were, unfortunately, overlooked. One was the Maritime Trust another was underestimating the cunning of snakes; but greatest of all was the 'soap-box' trap.
The overwhelming temptation to tell a world, (previously dismissive of the diminutive VW), of his well hidden talent, skill and literary ability and his new messiah status proved too much. The left ear devil had overcooked the few common sense instincts and let the daemon of blind ego out of it's fragile cage. Alone, at night burning the midnight oil, VW toiled to create the 'thesis' to end all thesis; a rip snorting, knock 'en flat sort of thing, full of long words and catchy phrasing. Mind you he does tacitly acknowledge some assistance with the 'big' words' from his GWM mate who had a penchant for using big words in the wrong syntax. His logic would be that those who failed to understand his 'vision splendid' could be derided as not having the native wit to comprehend his masterpiece. To do this he decided to 'borrow' from some of those he considered beneath the need to acknowledge their work and that only he could forge their poor efforts into a mighty testament defining his own sublime talents. As most of it was already written, it was really only a quick copy, paste and plagiarise effort, so he was delighted to also have saved his Mum some of the midnight oil bill. One of the great side benefits to this thesis was that some snakes could be bowled out easily as they could be implicated, complicit by extension in the sinking of the 'Nightingale' as they were to have been keeping an eye on the Kings ships and those that crewed them. His chagrin was almost overwhelming when the DVG refused, point blank, to publish it. "Let's save it for a rainy day" said the DVG to a heartbroken VW. But, it must have been quite funny to watch as the snakes tumbled over each other trying to show that 'they' had always done the right thing.
This boys and girls is where you learn that little things can oft times make a big difference. You see in his haste VW had allowed a couple of wolves, disguised as snakes into his happy little party; in desperation to achieve credibility for his dastardly work he needed a couple of 'expert' opinions, to make it all stack up; proper. It was at this point the first indication that a wheel was about to fall off became apparent; alas, VW in a hurry as always failed to notice the tremor and raced on, fully committed to his fate.
But here we must leave the story for today; will the wheel come off the VW bandwagon. We shall see.
E&OE (Just for laughs) Toot toot...