Allo Allo
There’s a tense atmosphere at work today.War is on the brink of being declared. I can’t go into too much detail as I’ve been informed that some of my more discerning colleagues occasionally peruse the propaganda machine that is this blog so I need to be circumspect. The walls have ears, etc. I have to keep things mum.
But comrades I can tell you this: a fellow work colleague has, in my opinion, been appalling treated by the upper echelons. Manoeuvres are afoot to see her removed from office. Manoeuvres which she in turn is countering.
The union are involved. The battle lines are being drawn up. Sides are being picked. Troops are amassing on the beaches.
I know which side I am supporting but feel more like a member of the French Resistance rather than a fully paid-up member of the armed forces. I have to watch my position, you see. I have kids and a wife to support. And, although it feels cowardly, I have to protect the patrons who come in from the street and use my café and admire the portrait of the fallen Madonna with the big boobies.
There are many ways to fight and I have chosen to fight in secret “from the inside” while the bombers drone overhead and the foe loot our art galleries and our mini-markets out in the ruins of the town square.
It’s going to be tinned meat from now on. But only if we’re lucky.
I can hear the air-raid sirens shattering the peaceful warbling of local birdsong.
Allo allo? Can you ‘eer me? I shall say zis only once, eet is René ‘eer...





20 Comments:
'They also serve, who only stand and wait'. Best place if the balloon goes up is under your desk, checking those leads and finding a selection of roller-balls, paperclips, a 2p coin and some hairy post-it notes that the cleaners missed.
Thanks Brother T, I feel slighly more ennobled now... though deeply disturbed at how accurately you describe the space beneath my desk...
My dad used to work with Rene, many years ago.
Not in the Resistance though.
Was he given any priceless, semi erotic works of art as a thank you?
Ah yes ze fallen Madoona wiz ze big boobies. I used to love that programme.
I have always wanted to be in the Resistance - it seems so sexy somehow. So there - you are now a sex symbol in my eyes!
I once had a lot of berets and if I had not thrown them away I would send you one. So kind aren't I?
But seriously, you are very wise to deal with office troubles in this way. It is often the case that when others publically get involved in these battles, it is they who end up losing out rather than the person who was the original victim of the injustice. Not sure if that makes sense?
Hope you have a super weekend.
Your secret's safe with me - wink wink.
I've always wanted to own and wear a hat, Gina... or more specifically find a hat that actually suits me. Sadly I'm not sure that a beret would do the trick but whilst in Wales this year I was surprised to find that the good old traditional cloth-cap suits me rather well. I'm still toying with the idea of buying myself one. Along with a loaf of Hovis. I could eat it while I keep my head down in the bunker...
Good moaning, Kaz. I wish I'd watched Allo Allo with more regularity so as to be able to come back with something witty and appropriate to the show... sadly I have now exhausted my Rene Artois repertoir.
My sympathies to your colleague, but she's doomed.
Once management have decided that she's to go - she'll go.
This has happened a few times at my place of work, or Tenko as we call it.
The lawyers will be called and it'll be their job to find out the easiest (and cheapest) way to expedite her ejection.
Down with capitalism!
Prophetic as ever, Inchy. My employers had never allowed her out of the "probabtion" stage therefore they can do what the f*ck they like with her and the law brays like a donkey in the background... it's all over now bar the screaming...
Better to die on your feet than to live on your knees. However, if the carpet is rough....
we just showed the entire series of Allo Allo to the kiddos recently... i *loved* it all over again, especially the British Airmen!!!
Good Moaning...
oh and Herr Flick:
(answering the phone)
Flick Ze Gestapo!!!
(listens, horrified to the caller)
No!! I said, "FLICK, ze gestapo!!!"
(oh yes, how helpful ees zat comma?!!!)
i think we'll rent it again!
best of luck with the office politix X
Amanda, the day my boss expects me to acquire carpet burns on my knees in the name of duty is the day I walk out of there with my head held high and my trouser belt cinched tight...
kate, there is, I admit, a real feel-good factor to Allo Allo - classic Sunday night family viewing that doff's it's floppy cap at the great and late Carry On films. As for the office politics... I've a sad feeling the backbench revolt has been crushed and the chief whip encouraged vociferously to join another party... Touch wood, my constituency is safe.
I must add, I actaully saw this as at stage show in um er...199something....in London. It was fun. Gawd. Maths. Gotta hate it or love it. ( It hates me.)
Good Moaning!
As an ex-trade unionist (I was Branch Secretary in my day, oh yes) the only thing that will stop management getting rid of her is the fear of how much it may end up costing them if she takes it to a tribunal. I'd advise her to start making a list of instances where she could claim her rights have been infringed (headed "Constructive Dismissal?"). Being a woman, much as I hate to say it, is always a good card to play if all else fails.
Amanda: big boobies on the stage... perish the thought!
Lucy, alas in terms of keeping her job she doesn't stand a chance as she's only on probabtion but she is, so I've been lead to believe, pushing forward with a grievance procedure...
Quick Rene, hide the big boobies in your knockwurst!
Poor colleague - but please don't put her ahead of No. 1! There's plenty of temping agencies out there - not to mention a tribunal process if the worst comes to the worst.
And if she has some dirt on the management (ie if he's an internet porn junkie on work hours or somesuch, she might get a decent settlement at least). I have survived a few attempts on me professionally by hinting that I'll fight back pretty damn dirty if I have to!
sorry to hear of this...war at work is hell...been fight one myself for some time and finally just let it go and i am lying in wait at the moment...seems whenever i let things go stuff always happens...wish i would realize that sooner...one piece of advice, nothing is a clear as everyone presents it to you...there is always something underlying they don't tell you which could change the situation considerably...walk cautiously my friend!
I've heard tell about these French waiters and their threesomes! I wouldn't mind so much if one of them wasn't my missus!!
Laura, I think this particular colleague is more than prepared to fight hard and dirty and has a few big guns up her sleeve so probably doesn't need the questionable strength of my rather mediocre water pistol...!
Wise words, Daisy, I am very aware that there are parts of the story that I'm not privy to... whoever gets the whole picture but those involved anyway? Good luck with your own battle, Daisy...
Blimey, TimeWarden, just been looking at the pic of Rene - so which one is your missus then?! :-)
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