Order Only: Phase One Successful!

[alt_sirius]

Muggles have an ingenious invention called video tape. Loaded into a special camera, it captures a moving image, similar to the spell that allows omnioculars to show a replay of a Quidditch move.

We used it to record our hapless British guard engaging in some behaviour that might well get him censured, or worse, if we were to make it available to the wrong people.

Marguerite and I just came from meeting with him. Amazing how quickly he agreed to help find a place for Laszlo Limited in the Chunnel warehouse this month instead of next, and to slip their lists into the pile of reviewed and approved applications.

It won't help us get through the mandatory quarantine, of course, but at least we've bypassed phase one - and as I said, that list on its own should interest Malfoy enough that he'll push to allow the imports.

Agatha is going to stay another day or two to keep Nicola from guessing that we've found a way around him. I'm curious to find out whether my cottage has exploded under a shower of Howlers or whether there's a watch on the place, so I'll be heading home - cautiously - tomorrow.

Arthur, I've been thinking about the boomslang skin and I think after I check on things at home, I'll see what I can do to find a supplier. Send along a list of any other exotics you need.

For now, I've promised to show Marguerite my appreciation for her efforts with a night on the town.

Comments

Order Only

[alt_mcgonagall]

Wonderful, Sirius.

I look forward to seeing the results of this - boomslang skin, wands and all. You have done admirably.

Re: Order Only

[alt_sirius]

Thanks, Minerva, though it's really down to Marguerite. She has no idea she's helping a smuggler, of course, only a nice young man trying to set up his aunt and uncle with a prime account in England.

Though honestly I was about ready to frame the man myself, if only to get a move on.

I should be leaving Calais in an hour or so, as soon as I can find my shirt after brunch.

Order Only

[alt_arthur]

Video tape is ingenious. So much of the stuff that Muggles have dreamed up is really remarkable.

They used to show video tape movies in the one of the muggle camps for awhile(until the elektricity got cut off, and they couldn't do it anymore). I stayed a time or two to watch--which means I can appreciate the joke behind the cover names you and Agatha are using. Gave me a good chuckle.

I'm hoping your ideas for finding boomslang work out. Got an owl back from Kingsley, and there's no hope there--he's been rather cut off form his sources, and in fact warned me not to contact him for awhile; he fears he's perilously close to being smoked out and is getting ready to drop his cover persona so he can disappear and change his base again. He'll reestablish contact when he can, but says it probably won't be for at least another several weeks, at best.

Re: Order Only

[alt_arthur]

Now that I think about it . . . Casablanca was the last movie that they showed. On thinking over the plot, I have a suspicion that might have been the reason that they cut off the elektricity to the camp. Not the sort of story the Ministry would want Muggles thinking about.

Re: Order Only

[alt_sirius]

No doubt, though lately I feel more like Rick than Victor.

You don't think anyone at the Ministry will twig to the alias, do you, Arthur?

Regarding Kingsley, he knows how to handle himself, but I hope he's prudent. We can't afford to lose a good operative like him.

I'll add ashwinder eggs, banyan wood, powdered bicorn horn, and scarab beetles to my agenda, since these are always in need and reasonable, unrestricted excuses for young Henrich Laszlo to be travelling in northern Africa.

Re: Order Only

[alt_arthur]

I don't think that they will catch the reference to your aliases. The story of Casablanca was obviously totally new to the guards at the camp (as it was to me) which is why the Muggles got away with showing it in the first place. But that happened a number of years ago, and wizards really are quite ignorant about Muggle entertainment, especially now that so much of it is suppressed. I doubt you'll be encountering anyone at Calais who would know about that particular incident.

Still, as you have to come up with identities in the future, probably it would be best to pick something entirely anonymous and not include any more inside jokes like that. It would be most unfortunate to have a mission scuttled (or worse, to get yourself captured) because you showed a little bit too much of a sense of humour at the wrong moment.

Re: Order Only

[alt_sirius]

Spoilsport.

Unfortunately, you are probably right. There is enough exposure for expatriates and just enough contact between them and the Ministry that it's a risk.

Anonymous names are much harder to think up at the spur of the moment, though.