Doctor Who: Big Finish - Short Trips [012] - Seven Deadly Sins by David Bailey

Author:David Bailey
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: Science-Fiction - Doctor Who
Publisher: Big Finish
Published: 2005-02-28T23:00:00+00:00

Pride

As the showman entered, the room’s occupant stood up stiffly and made a formal bow. He was tall and dignified, dressed in flowing silk robes of peacock blue. A long moustache drooped down to outline both sides of his mouth; it twitched as he said, ‘Howdido.’

‘Good afternoon,’ replied the showman, pushing a blood-spotted handkerchief into his pocket, then bowing in return. ‘Let me first say that it is very good of you, as a nobleman of the highest rank, to condescend to talk to me, a mere… travelling doctor.’

The man gave a slight sneer, but acknowledged the favour he was granting. ‘It is undoubtedly my duty to so do. Although I do not usually condescend to say howdido to anyone under the rank of a stockbroker.’

‘I appreciate that,’ said the showman. ‘In fact, you are well known as possibly the second most proud man of – of your type.’

‘Second most proud man?’ Elegant black eyebrows were raised at this assertion.

‘Well, a certain nineteenth-century novel…’

The eyebrows did not descend. ‘I think you will find that, despite the emotion being referenced in the title, it was little in evidence by the end of the novel – by which time the gentleman in question had taken a bride whose family was not only of a poor status, but had suffered considerable scandal. Whereas I, who can trace my ancestry back to a protoplasmal, primordial atomic globule, upheld my family pride – which is something inconceivable – to the very end. Not only do I have several songs referencing my pride, but my very name has become synonymous with a person of excessive haughtiness.’ He whipped a small book from his pocket. ‘Let me quote to you from the dictionary: “A pompous person of great influence. W.S. Gilbert, The Mikado, 1885.”’

‘You are quite correct,’ said the showman, admitting defeat. ‘Let us say that you are, instead, the most proud man of all. The pinnacle of pride. The epitome of ego.’

The man gave an appreciative bow. ‘Indeed.’

‘So,’ said the showman, ‘I wonder if you would be so good as to relate to me a little of your history.’

The man waved a manicured hand. ‘That may come under the heading of a state secret.’

‘Oh, what a shame,’ said the showman. ‘I was so looking forward to hearing the history of such a great man… Perhaps I should have gone for Mr Darcy after all…’

The other started slightly. ‘I did not say I would not tell you.’

‘Of course not. You would not be so ungracious. Perhaps you could start with your origins… A fascinating story, I have no doubt, that few could parallel.’

‘It is as you say,’ said the moustached man. ‘Few can have their beginnings rooted in such technological splendour. In such a fervour of invention!’

‘Well, apart from all the others engineered at the same time as you,’ put in the showman, hastily adding, ‘Sorry! Sorry!’ when he saw the other’s expression. ‘I mean it was a time of, er… technological splendour, I’ve heard it said. I understand there was also a fervour of invention.

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