BC 004 I’m guessing the fish name is a placeholder?

From: Jones Ashport ashyjones@gorble.47923

To: Ffearnie Tankenroll ffearne.tankenroll@gov.england

2197.04.18 — 22:26

I’m guessing the fish name is a placeholder?

Ffearnie, look at this scene of dialogue I found!

I will add it to the database you set up (which is a marvel of science by the way. Thank you again! And for coming over on the weekend.) But I wanted you to see this now because it goes with that first newspaper clipping I sent you.

Also, I’m a little nervous to show you this, but Gran’s scene inspired me to dig out my art supplies – Mum throws nothing out – and draw one of the characters.

Jones

Tomjohn slipped through the alley gate, walked up the garden, opened the back door without knocking. ‘Hey, Brij.’

The the kitchen was empty. He went to the lounge and found Brigit feeding Mr Pike. She didn’t look up.

‘Brigit?’

She she took her time putting the lid on the tank.

‘You okay?’

‘You talked to the newspaper, Tomjohn. What the actual fuck were you thinking?’

‘I used a fake name.’

She looked up at Tomjohn, her eyes like knives.

‘I was outside Mad Katie’s house.’

‘She lives two doors down from you!’

‘I didn’t let them take a photo.’

‘And when the CPSS pays a quiet but heavily-armed visit to Mad Katie’s house asking to speak to this Jimmy Bathball character, do you think she’ll have any reason to keep her mouth shut about the fact that the gangly kid with the mechanical hand and giant scar across his face who spreads the name Mad Katie around the town actually lives next door but one and his real name is Tomjohn Johnjohn?’

‘But I…’

More eye knives.

‘Someone needed to speak out.’

‘Speaking out is why Bonanza’s dead, you witless turnip digger.’

‘I’d rather stand up for truth and be cut down than hide out in my house doing nothing.’

‘This is nothing is it?’ Brigit swept her arm round the room. ‘Feeding you lot all hours of the day and night.’

‘That’s not what I meant—‘

‘Keeping this stupid fish alive. Portable Jim. Portable Jim! First of all, he’s not that portable. He’s been stuck in the office for the last week because I can’t move him. Second, yes, he is the brains of this sad operation. But without me draining his colostomy bag five times a day, the brains die and we’re even more fucked than we are right now. This is nothing to you?’

‘It’s not nothing. It’s kind of everything. But it’s not me. I clean dirt and grow turnips.’

‘You grow the turnips. I cook them.’

‘The sad leftovers the Chamber don’t sell. I’m sick of being hungry and miserable so Bart’ – Tomjohn made the rudest gesture he knew – ‘can… I dunno, gold-plate his latest wife.’

‘So you mouth off to the paper. Well, that’s fixed everything! I could hardly manoeuvre my trolley for the mountains of delightful produce that have suddenly filled the aisles at Sainsborrisons.’

‘Bonanza gave us hope that shit could get better. I’m trying to keep it alive.’

‘Tomjohn, hope is a lie that lets you hide from reality. And here’s the reality: things are worse now. Before Bonanza started her campaign, Speaking out meant the Chamber gave you terrible work assignments. Now they kill you. I’m guessing you’ve got about a week until you fall into a sifter or wander under a tractor tyre. When the others get here, the first item on the agenda is getting your sorry arse out of Five Valleys. I’ve just lost my best friend. I’m not losing the only person who properly appreciates my cooking. Now take your boots off and clean up the mud you tracked in. I’ll get you some stew.’