[ti]ecstatic[/ti]BATTLE OF TRAFALGAR 2017

BATTLE OF TRAFALGAR 2017



Nelson: "Order the signal, Hardy."



Hardy: "Aye, aye sir."



Nelson: "Hold on, this isn't what I dictated to Flags. What's the meaning of this?"



Hardy: "Sorry sir?"



Nelson (reading aloud): “ England expects every person to do his or her duty, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, religious

persuasion or disability.' - What gobbledygook is this for God's sake?"



Hardy: "Admiralty policy, I'm afraid, sir. We're an equal opportunities employer now. We had the devil's own job getting “ England " past the censors, lest it be considered racist."



Nelson: "Gadzooks, Hardy. Hand me my pipe and tobacco."



Hardy: "Sorry sir. All naval vessels have now been designated smoke-free working environments."



Nelson: "In that case, break open the rum ration. Let us splice the main brace to steel the men before battle."



Hardy: "The rum ration has been abolished, Admiral. Its part of the Government's policy on binge drinking."



Nelson: "Good heavens, Hardy. I suppose we'd better get on with it full speed ahead."



Hardy: "I think you'll find that there's a 4 knot speed limit in this stretch of water."



Nelson: "Damn it man! We are on the eve of the greatest sea battle in history. We must advance with all dispatch. Report from the crow's nest, please."

Hardy: "That won't be possible, sir."



Nelson: "What?"



Hardy: "Health and Safety have closed the crow's nest, sir. No harness; and they said that rope ladders don't meet regulations. They won't let

anyone up there until proper scaffolding can be erected."



Nelson: "Then get me the ship's carpenter without delay, Hardy."



Hardy: "He's busy knocking up a wheelchair access to the foredeck Admiral."



Nelson: "Wheelchair access? I've never heard anything so absurd."



Hardy: "Health and safety again, sir. We have to provide a barrier-free environment for the differently abled."



Nelson: "Differently abled? I've only one arm and one eye and I refuse even to hear mention of the word. I didn't rise to the rank of admiral

by playing the disability card."



Hardy: "Actually, sir, you did. The Royal Navy is under- represented in the areas of visual impairment and limb deficiency."



Nelson: "Whatever next? Give me full sail. The salt spray beckons."



Hardy: "A couple of problems there too, sir. Health and safety won't let the crew up the rigging without hard hats. And they don't want anyone breathing in too much salt - haven't you seen the adverts?"



Nelson: "I've never heard such infamy. Break out the cannon and tell the men to stand by to engage the enemy."



Hardy: "The men are a bit worried about shooting at anyone, Admiral."



Nelson: "What? This is mutiny!"



Hardy: "It's not that, sir. It's just that they're afraid of being charged with murder if they actually kill anyone. There are a couple of legal-aid lawyers on board, watching everyone like hawks."



Nelson: "Then how are we to sink the Frenchies and the Spanish?"



Hardy: "Actually, sir, we're not."



Nelson: "We're not?"



Hardy: "No, sir. The French and the Spanish are our European partners now. According to the Common Fisheries Policy, we shouldn't even be in this stretch of water. We could get hit with a claim for compensation."



Nelson: "But you must hate a Frenchman as you hate the devil."



Hardy: "I wouldn't let the ship's diversity coordinator hear you saying that sir. You'll be up on disciplinary report."



Nelson: "You must consider every man an enemy, who speaks ill of your King."



Hardy: "Not any more, sir. We must be inclusive in this multicultural age. Now put on your Kevlar vest; it's the rules. It could save your life"



Nelson: "Don't tell me - Health and Safety. Whatever happened to rum, sodomy and the lash?"



Hardy: As I explained, sir, rum is off the menu! And there's a ban on corporal punishment."



Nelson: "What about sodomy?"



Hardy: "I believe that is now legal, sir."



Nelson: "In that case................... Kiss me, Hardy."