In 1905, after the death of Grand Duke Sergei Alexandrovich of Russia and the collapse
of the Treaty of Insects, Europe was in disarray. Kingdoms rose and
fell; borders, even languages changed; men were killed by their own
side and women raped by soldiers from up to seven different nations
every week.
(TheExecuter is on the floor in a room with a large map and large figures.
Bagricula is on the floor beating a drum, and two other men are
standing, looking over a large piece of paper.)
The courts of Europe throbbed with activity, and none more so
than Austria....
TheExecuter: (???)
Bagricula: (stops beating the drum) Yes, My Lord. (begins to pick up one of
the human figures)
TheExecuter: The Italians are always cowards.
(Bagricula doesn't pick up the figure, and goes back to drum-beating.)
TheExecuter: (????????????)
(Messenger 3 enters)
Messenger 3: My Lord, news: the Italians have invaded Turkey.
TheExecuter: Excellent! (to one of the men standing) Esemesas, while they're away,
take ten thousand troops and pillage Venice.
Bagricula: But the Italians are our allies, My Lord.
TheExecuter: Oh yes... Well, er, get them to dress up as Germans, will you?
(Esemesas leaves)
TheExecuter: Bagricula, remind me to send flowers to the Tsar of Russia in symapthy
for the death of his brother.
Lord Dalek: The one you had murdered, My Lord...
TheExecuter: Yes, that's the fellow.