Algy Quote of the Week

Having been shot down and taken prisoner by the Japanese in Delivers the Goods, Algy is then taken to be interrogated by the Japanese admiral, Tamashoa. If you’ve ever thought it was impossible to be cool under pressure, read the following conversation and think again!

 [Tamashoa asked] “What were you doing in airplane?”

“Flying,” answered Algy.

Tamashoa appeared to see nothing facetious in this answer…“Quite so. What were you doing in sea?” he asked.

“Swimming,” replied Algy.

“Quite so. I mean, what are you doing here?” queried Tamashoa.

“Standing,” replied Algy evenly. He did not smile.

“Why?” asked Tamashoa.

“Because no one has offered me a seat.”

.....

“Why did you carry petrol?”

“Because a plane needs petrol to fly.”

“Quite so. You are at Elephant Island?” asserted Tamashoa, getting his tenses mixed.

“No, I’m here,” corrected Algy.

“Quite so. Why are you at Elephant Island?”

“I’m not at Elephant Island,” asserted Algy, truthfully.

“There are British officers at Elephant Island.”

“Are there?”

“Why?”

“You tell me.”

--Biggles Delivers the Goods

If I had been the Japanese admiral, I would probably at this point have gotten up and thrown something at Algy’s head. It’s a very frustrating business to question someone who couldn’t care less about giving you the answers you’re looking for. Good old Algy!