Monday 13 September 2010

Thursday 26th August - Facts and Fictions

The Butlers en masse engaged in a most complex and extended undertaking this morning, measuring a modest artwork of threads and hues in three dimensions on behalf of the Festival Fringe Society, in order to arrive at a precisely calculated span of 425 feet 6 inches. As ever, one thing led to another and an exciting commission ensued, about which more anon. In the meantime, Fletcher was pleased to offer a degree of cognisance enhancement, uncovering information regarding the singular assassination of a British Prime Minister and the resonant plot of 'Logan's Run'. He then found time to deliver a delightful card and menus to a young lady in the Meadows, before assembling with Butlers Thompson, Jancis and Newsam for a most excellent repast with old friends in Brunswick Street, accompanied by delicate and inspiring animations. Taking their leave at a sensibly early hour, Butlers Fletcher and Jancis then made their way via inexpensive Edinburgh taxi to a bustling poker party, where they were pleased to serve drinks for a goodly spell to the grateful players. Following this, instead of properly retiring to their beds, they chose to seek out an encounter with the challenging legacy of Tadeusz Kantor, in so doing crossing the path of a certain Mr. Demarco, whose company these simple Butlers felt most privileged to keep. This was one late night which fully justified itself.

Fletcher the Butler

Wednesday 25th August - Corners and coinage

Butler Fletcher was relieved to indulge in a more leisurely chai this morning, before a massed Butler excursion to Fringe Central to reconnoitre an art installation in severe need of measurement. Thankfully, Butler Newsam was able to muster his advanced mathematical skills to formulate a calculating methodology, following which Fletcher dashed off to deliver an unprecedented second Butler missive to a fortunate recipient who was eventually tracked down in Zoo Southside. He and Butler Jancis were then called upon to partake of most pleasant coffee and cake with those geese who are gay in their subpontine retreat, but Fletcher could not rest upon his laurels as he was soon offering up what was, in pont of fract, a rather passable rendition of ‘Happy Birthday’ to a surprised gentleman in a salubrious hotel, after which he was most pleased to spend an hour in the august company of Strindberg (albeit without helium). The evening turned out to be the occasion for a series of increasingly stimulating treats. Rather excellent Japanese physical mime preceded a happy encounter with a full mind, on whose behalf Fletcher had been asked to conduct some arcane research, at the splendid Bedlam Theatre. Suitably buoyed by an increasing awareness of the history of money – in particular the five pound coin – Fletcher and the rest of the Butlers then gathered for supper beverages with those ever-lovely fish who are kinky and new Summer friends. 

 

Fletcher the Butler

 

Tuesday 24th August - Leith and Love Letters

Once again, Fletcher was up with the lark, familiarising himself further with Edinburgh’s excellent public transport system as he made his way out to leafy Leith to surprise an unsuspecting couple over breakfast. Requests for missive carriage were coming in thick and fast so that, no sooner had he returned to the Old Town, than he was delivering messages of affection and comfort to grateful recipients at lofty hotels and crepuscular caves. Ms. Gardner’s attentions had thankfully not provoked too much demand, but the Butlers were finding themselves consistently busy, Thompson and Jancis with many and various flyering duties, Purcell with the provision of bedtime stories. Meanwhile, following a visit to the renowned Greyfriars Kirkyard the day before, Fletcher was becoming increasingly captivated by the life and work of a certain William Topaz McGonagall, that excellent poet and tragedian from Dundee. His researches were necessarily curtailed, however, by the arrival of a quiet four o’clock tea, followed by a productive spell ensconced upon the Royal Mile. An early evening assignation with some geese who are gay then culminated in a most convivial draught in the local hostelry to round off another satisfying day.

 

Fletcher the Butler