From the LOTM: An item of Interest from the Yucatán Peninsula

[Panache]

At the end of Summer Calvert published his expedition’s findings. As a good scientist and researcher he was obligated to report the strange stucco relief work and its fantastic images of airships and dinosaurs . Most of the Archaeological community thought it was either a hoax or a misinterpretation of the carvings. The news went on several wire services and was reported by many newspapers in their “News of the Weird” or other such derisive columns where it generated many a chuckle from the general public.

Only one person took the news with the utmost gravity. At the Mata Hari Institute of Culinary Excellence Madam Pleater, the General Director read of the incident with great concern as she sipped her morning tea. Finishing the brief article in the paper and setting her steel rimmed reading glasses aside she walked to her secretary’s office and asked the young woman to procure a copy of Calvert’s full report. With the usual efficiency expected at the MHICE it was on the General Director’s desk within the hour. Madam Pleater read the report three times and intensely scrutinized the photographs accompanying the text.

For the rest of the day she was almost completely preoccupied . The staff and students all could sense something. Though she still made certain to get the lobsters delivered in time for the sauce for the fish course to be made*, made sure to give a quick call to certain representatives of Her Majesty’s Government to inform them that the matter of the Chinese Ambassador and the stoat had been resolved satisfactorily, and bounced on her trampoline before tea as was her usual routine.

After tea she came to a decision and went to her office and her special phone, the blue one, to call Mr. Brown .

“Yes Madam?” he inquired politely though with a slight touch of humor, as if he had been expecting the call.

“Mr. Brown I was wondering what is the status of the Pin and Needle projects?’ asked Madam Pleater .

“They are still in the early stages of development Madam. It is only a question of time before we achieve success“

“…a question of time” she mused

“Time or Space, Quantum Mechanics can get a bit tricky” Mr. Brown admitted.

“ I cannot but feel that events may be unfolding that will require their use. I should think it would be advantageous if we can get prototypes of both units operational as soon as possible.”

“Then we shall apply our best efforts and endeavor to achieve satisfactory results with all due speed. I assume you will operate “Pin”. Who shall use “Needle” Madam?”

“I have a suitable candidate in mind. ” she replied.

“And what name shall we give this operation?”

Madam Pleater thought a moment. “Operation: Savoy Truffle”

Giving Mr. Brown her thanks she hung up and then dialed her secretary on the regular phone.

“Yes Madam Director?”

“I shall require the file on the “Saltire Incident, could you please see that it is on my desk by 14:30?

“Yes Madam”

“Thank you”

Hanging up Madam Pleater stared at the clock on her office wall.

“a question of Time and Space…” she repeated.





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