Chapter 1
November 14, 2023 at 1:13 PM
I
[after a meeting in the Minister’s office]
Humphrey: Well, if that’s all, Minister… (about to leave). Jim: No, no, hang on a minute, Humphrey. There is one matter I would like to discuss. Humphrey: Of course you would. Jim: I would like to hear your thoughts on one thing. Maybe you could give me some advice… Humphrey: Go on. Jim: This is more or less a moral dilemma… Humphrey: In this case, my advice would be to take it to Bernard. Is that all, Minister? Jim: Just a moment, Humphrey, please. Humphrey: Very well. Jim: Well… You know… You see… (hesitates). Humphrey: (intrigued) What is it? (softer) Tell me. Jim: A friend of mine and his Permanent Secretary- Humphrey: (interrupts) My goodness… Minister! (guessing/suspiciously) Are you speaking about yourself now, by any chance, and- Jim: What? (looking surprised) No! (laughing) Of course not, it’s just… a colleague. And he- Humphrey: (losing interest completely) I don’t want to know anything in any case! Jim: (quickly/in one breath) He-fell-in-love-with-his-Permanent-Secretary. Humphrey: … (judgmental silence). Jim: … (waiting for some kind of an answer. In vain) So… what do you think he should do about that? Humphrey: (grimly) He certainly shouldn’t have told you about this moral dilemma of his, Minister! Jim: (hopefully) Do you think he should confess his feelings for his Permanent Secretary? Humphrey: (horrified) What a ridiculous idea! God forbid. (leaves the office indignantly, incinerating Bernard, who bumps into him in the doorway, with an angry look)
