Continuing the conversation between Tim and Steve. Catch up on the first ten installments via Steve’s author page.
“What’s on your mind this morning, Tim?” “This morning, Steve…” “Yes?” “I am considering the nature of hubris.” “Hubris?” “Indeed.” “Can’t blame you, mate.” “No?” “He was always my favourite.” “I’m sorry?” “The little scamp…” “I think…” “The things he got up to with his mates…” “You may misunderstand…” “Aramis, and Athos…” “Hubris was not one…”’ “And wotsisname…” “Of the three musketeers, Steve.” “Dogtanian…” “D’Artagnan.” “Dogtanian, Tim.” “I think not.” “Dogtanian and the three muskehounds.” “No.” “Tim, I watched the cartoons…” “Cartoons?” “They were brilliant…” “Alexandre Dumas’ The Three Musketeers…” “I never knew dogs were so clever…” “Was written in France in 1844, Steve…” “Or so skilled in swordplay…” “With D’Artagnan, Athos, Aramis…” “Don’t be daft, Tim…” “And Porthos.” “Who watched cartoons in 1844?” “Well…” “When television hadn’t even been invented?” “Dumas was a French novelist…” “I don’t think so…” “He was…” “Those dogs weren’t speaking French, Tim.” “Steve?” “Yes?” “Hubris was not one of the three musketeers…” “Really?” “Or a cartoon dog…” “You’re sure?” “I am.” “Well, if you say so, Tim…” “I do.” “OK…” “Thank god…” “So, who is Hubris?” “What.” “You need your ears testing, Tim…” “What?” “I said, WHO IS HUBRIS?” “Hubris is not a who, Steve.” “But you said…” “It’s a what.” “Oh.” “It’s Greek.” “Greek?” “Yes.” “Ah…. of course!” “At last…” “Delicious on crispbreads…” “Eh?” “With an extra squeeze of lemon…” “No…” “Or in pitta…” “You’re thinking of…” “With a salad…” “Hummus, Steve.” “Ah.” “Hubris is entirely different…” “Is that…” “Yes?” “The one made with aubergine instead?” “No, Steve.” “Oh.” “Let me explain…” “I’m all ears, mate…” “Good.” “A bit like Dogtanian…” “Hubris…” “Is a dog?” “Shut up, Steve.” “If I must…” “In Ancient Greek tragedies.…” “Yes?” “Hubris is an over excess of confidence…” “Right…” “Or arrogance…” “I see…” “A fatal shortcoming which brings about…” “Go on…” “The inevitable fall of the hero.” “And nothing to do with Dogtanian?” “No, Steve.” “Or that bloke Dumas?” “Not really.” “So…” “Yes?” “Why bring it up, Tim?” “Well…” “What’s its relevance?” “Nurses.” “You’ve lost me…” “Nurses, a 1% pay offer…” “Right…” “And the subsequent furore…” “Ah-hah!” “You see what I mean?” “Modern day hubris, Tim!” “Exactly.” “I’ll hold my hands up, mate…” “Really?” “I never saw that coming.” “Any clear-headed analysis…” “Never thought you had it in you…” “Would predict this situation…” “To come out and criticise…” “And clear-headed analysis has always….” “So clearly and unequivocally…” “Been my greatest strength, Steve.” “In such forthright terms…” “Which is why I’m telling you now…” “A government you’ve been so loyal to...” “The nurses are bang out of order.” “I beg your pardon???” “Arrogant…” “Did you just say…??” “Out of touch…” “Oh, Tim.” “As clear an example of hubris…” “You’re so wrong…” “As you’ll ever see…” “So often.” “Overreaching themselves…” “What?” “As the hard left always do…” “Hard left?” “With their unreasonable demands…” “They’re nurses, Tim…” “But as Spaffa says…” “And they’re pretty reasonable…” “This is all the country can afford…” “It really isn’t.” “Despite all rumours to the contrary…” “Rumours?” “There is no magic money tree.” “Actually, Tim…” “Yes?” “There is.” “I think you’ll find, Steve…” “There literally is.” “There is not.” “Remember Dido Harding, Tim?” “I do.” “Good.” “The woman on Mars.” “The very same.” “What about her?” “We paid her £37 billion.” “And?” “It’s a lot of money, Tim.” “It is a lot of money, Steve.” “Where did that money come from?” “Well…” “Yes?” “The government…” “And they got it from…?” “Er…” “The government, Tim.” “Really?” “Yes.” “You mean…” “They created £37 billion out of thin air, Tim.” “So you’re saying…” “£37 billion, as if by magic…” “That when it comes to paying Dido…” “Hey presto!” “Money’s no object…” “Exactly.” “Whereas with nurses…” “Go on, Tim…” “The offer of a 1% pay rise…” “Yes…” “Is an attempt to perpetuate the myth…” “Yes…” “Of an economic justification for austerity…” “You’re nearly there…” “And the attendant underfunding of vital public services. ” “Bingo!” “Wow.” “It is a lot to take in, Tim.” “All seems a bit far-fetched to me, Steve.” “It does?” “Especially coming from a man…” “Eh?” “Who thinks hubris is a cartoon dog.” “Fair point, Tim.” “It is.” “Mind you…” “Yes?” “If I’m right…” “Unlikely…” “It means Spaffa also…” “But there has to be a first time…” “Has the cash to sort your car…” “Is that so?” “If he really wants to.” “Hmmmm…” “Ask yourself, Tim, what would Dogtanian do?” “D’Artagnan, Steve.” “Whatever.” “He’d probably suggest…” “Yes?” “That I educate you about Alexandre Dumas…” “Over a pint?” “Over a pint, Steve.” “You’ve twisted my arm, Tim.” “Walk this way…” “Righto.” “It’s an absolutely fascinating story…”
