357

This is the orientation blah blah Marlon Maxey thumps down upon finishing The Wizard of Oz:

The Department of Practise and Legality of the Fifth Realm of Crapcago has, by and large, a long and treasured history. Sequestered by the right honourable King Flinterock during his noble and optimistic reign over the Third Kingdom of Illanoyed the Department now serves at the pleasure of King Aftmorrow. The Department of Practise and Legality, or as it is affectionately known by employees and officials alike: Depractnleg, manages and creates legal policy for the people of Crapcago within the parameters created by the Third Kingd-

The blah blah continues in the same vein from there, however an oversized stain from a muggajoe rewords the remainder until rendered unreadable.

Mildly Marlon rethinks re-reading The Wizard of Oz one more time to see if the ending has changed, but showing an uncharacteristic restraint he instead regards the mirror onto the kipple of landscape interned before him. To the mind of Marlon there are millions of lives out there all tuned to the great collective, all desperately wanting to desperately want. They are the souls fighting the good fight for what they believe others are believing; one and all buying into pre-occupation with the battle so much so that they miss the letters from the war.

Unfortunate for Marlon, the momentary resoluteness allows for an unwelcome salutation from Peter “Pete” pRatchepeels. Peter “Pete” twills his tye knot with sporting sophistication intent that this motion is an ideal conversation starter.

-Why, say, Marlon isn’t it? Quite the strange things these tye knots are. How wrapping a piece of tarey cloth round a kneck gives the impression of distinction is beyond my realm of reasoning, another madness to make up for the un-magical. Vouchsafe, it does look a bit ridiculous—I say, is that a word book you’re reading?

-It’s one of Theirs. I thought it was a Trixie at first but it hasn’t changed at all and I only just finished reading it for the seventh time.

-Bullriggers and savages all, give here. What a boring existence it must be to do the same thing all the time. What department did you say you were in? The Practically Perfect Partment sPecializing in the Private Procurances of Policy Pertaining to Politics and/or Politicians? Ah the jolly old DextraP. I cut my teeth with them some years ago. Is Ramenthorpe still the division head? You must be someone special if you were able to catch her eye.

-I’m a Stoppgapper. The Agency just sent me over…

-Oh well, we’re all in the same Lilyfloat so to speak I suppose.

And Peter “Pete” continues down the same stream growing sick with word vomit enough to take a sit-a-plop next to Marlon offering further pimply hyperboles pertaining to the grandeur and glory of Crapcago anon. Meanwhile Marlon, for his part, does his best to listen until the half epoch allocated for his lin-lin has expired and he retires back to orientation.