Paperwork Runneth Over

By Diana North
Written for the Sunday Drabble Challenge

November 9, 2005

“Working on the Lord’s day, James?” Lieutenant Groves inquired piously as he settled himself on a vacant corner of the desk where Commodore Norrington sat barricaded behind neat piles of documents.

Norrington arched a disapproving eyebrow at Theo’s chosen perch then turned back to his paperwork. “At least I’m not profaning the Sabbath by indulging excessively in wine, Lieutenant.” he replied crisply, having noted the bottles which had accompanied his visitors into the office.

“I doubt you would have refused the Governor’s wine had you accepted his invitation to Sunday dinner.” Lieutenant Gilette retorted as he procured some glasses.

Groves shot Gilette a scathing glare. Norrington disdained to acknowledge the comment.

“The Lord himself changed water into wine.” Groves pointed out in a more equable tone as he placed a glass at the commodore’s elbow.

“That was not on a Sunday.” James dissented.

“And this is rum.” Gilette added as he filled the glass.

“Well, Christ performed several miracles on the Sabbath, and it is written it the book of Mark that ‘there are also many other things which Jesus did’ which were not written down, so who is to say that he did not turn water to wine on a Sunday on occasion?”

“Or water to rum, for that matter.” Gilette appended.

“That is written in the Gospel of John, actually.” Norrington set down his quill and glanced skeptically at his lieutenants. “So this is your argument for getting drunk on a Sunday?” Looking dubiously at Groves, he continued dryly, “It is fortunate you entered the Navy and not the Church, Theo.”

Gilette snorted. “Fortunate for the Church but not for the Navy.”

Groves gave his fellow lieutenant a withering look. “Speak for yourself, Andrew.”

“And what would the Navy be without me?” Gilette haughtily challenged.

“Less sarcastic.” Norrington replied flatly, again absorbed in his papers.

Groves chortled heartily.

“I would you had gone into the Church, James. Then perhaps I would be commodore.” Andrew sniped back.

Theo snickered again. “In that case, I would probably be commodore and not you.”

James shook his head slightly and rolled his eyes.

“Commodore Groves.” sneered Gilette.

“I’ll drink to that.” Groves lifted his glass with a grin.

Norrington also raised his glass. “And I’ll drink to the mounds of paperwork I am delegating to both of you first thing tomorrow morning.” Leaning back in his chair, he regarded his glowering lieutenants with a smug smile and sipped his rum.

~.~

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