Disclaimer: I am not Timothy Zahn or J.K. Rowling.
Enter Neville and Stan Shunpike, in London.
Neville. You've got to be kidding. Escort duty?
Stan. What's the big deal? You guys are Firebolts. You do escort all the time.
Neville. We escort people. We don't watchdog cargo brooms.
Stan. [annoyed] Look, Commander, don't dump it on me. It's a standard broom escort. What's the difference whether the broom's got people or a break-down reactor aboard?
Neville glances away.
Neville. [aside] It's a matter of professional pride. That's what the difference is. [to Stan] Nimbus has a pretty long haul for Firebolts.
Stan. Yeah, well, the spec line says you'll be staying aboard the broom until you actually hit the region. You'll just ride him in from there.
Neville. We're going to be a long time away from London with this.
Stan. I'd look on that as a plus if I were you, Commander. Something here's coming to a head. I think Senator Scrimgeour and his people are about to make their move.
Neville. You don't mean . . . a coup?
Stan. No, of course not. What do you think Scrimgeour is . . . ? [with realization] Oh, I got it. You're one of Murcus's diehards, huh? Face it, Commander: Murcus has lost whatever touch he ever had with the common fighting man of the Army. Scrimgeour's the only one on the Wizengamot who really cares about our welfare. [indicates the file in front of him] Case in point. All this rubbish came down from Murcus's office.
Neville. Yeah, well, there's still a Ministry out there. [sighs] When do we leave?
Stan. Soon as you can get your people together and aboard. They're already loading your brooms.
Neville. Right. [aside] Well, this won't be so bad. At least I'll be away from the politics going on here. And if the Ministry comes at me while I'm away . . . well, at least that will give me something to take my aggression out on.
Exit all.
