Chapter 9 - A bad copy of the buttocks of an ass.
The Sparrow brothers sat at the dinner table trying to decide which would be more preferable to cut, the delicious rack of lamb set before them or each other's throats.
"If you have a problem with your position Jonathan I believe reporting to your supervisor would best suit you." Charles rebuffed his younger brother.
Jonathans jaw dropped. "My supervisor? What the bloody hell does that mean?"
"A supervisor is the person above you in the chain of command."
"I know what a bloomin' supervisor is." His fist came down hard on the table causing wine to spill.
"What are we discussing then?" Charles was perfection at condescension.
"We are discussing why the bloody hell you have me stuck as a map maker when you know I want.."
"What you want is not relevant. You are there because you have not mastered the craft as of yet."
" I do not want to master the craft. I do not want to even be in the bleedin' craft"
Why didn't anyone ask me what I jolly well wanted to do with my life instead of sticking me in a cellar all day bored to death making useless documents no one is going to look at anyway!"
"You are to do as you are told and do the work expected of you. We knew that you would be incapable of making a correct choice for yourself. You are much too impulsive Jonathan. You should be thanking me."
Jonathan laughed. " My blasted arse I'll thank you. Who exactly are we?" "Father, Adam and Myself. Trust me Jack. You know..JAACK suits you. Its so. common. Jaack we are constantly being informed of your lack of progress. Should you decide to become a man of excellence your position will change." He sipped his wine. Jonathan seethed at the arrogance.
"Charles your opinion of excellence is of no interest to me. I have no intention of becoming a bad copy of you."
You, Jaack, are a bad copy of the buttocks of an ass. The word excellence is not in your vocabulary nor will it ever be something that you have the drive to aspire to in your life.
"Jaack" Charles paused as his face looked as if he had stepped in something unpleasant, "it suits you well you know, so miserably common. I fear you will remain a joke amongst proper men as you will always be lacking in character yet always be trying desperately to prove yourself a valuable member of society."
Jonathan looked to Adam for assistance. Adam, not wanting Charles' wrath to turn to him, shrugged and gave Jonathan a "you're on your own brother" look.
"I refuse" Jonathan said. "I'm not going to sit in that dungeon surrounded by gits who can't go a day without discussing the coming of Christ Gerardus Mercator or brag on who can be the fastest at boxing the compass as fascinating luncheon conversation!"
"Do as you wish Jaack " Charles sniffed. "If you are not there and punctual tomorrow you will find yourself without a situation. Of course, I am sure you could earn a much better living with that gypsy wife of yours.
I'll tell you what" he pulled a shilling out of his pocket and threw it across the table to his brother. " I'll be your first customer. Perhaps your dollymop misses having real men."
NEXT - Brothers, blood and a swordfight with dad.
The Sparrow brothers sat at the dinner table trying to decide which would be more preferable to cut, the delicious rack of lamb set before them or each other's throats.
"If you have a problem with your position Jonathan I believe reporting to your supervisor would best suit you." Charles rebuffed his younger brother.
Jonathans jaw dropped. "My supervisor? What the bloody hell does that mean?"
"A supervisor is the person above you in the chain of command."
"I know what a bloomin' supervisor is." His fist came down hard on the table causing wine to spill.
"What are we discussing then?" Charles was perfection at condescension.
"We are discussing why the bloody hell you have me stuck as a map maker when you know I want.."
"What you want is not relevant. You are there because you have not mastered the craft as of yet."
" I do not want to master the craft. I do not want to even be in the bleedin' craft"
Why didn't anyone ask me what I jolly well wanted to do with my life instead of sticking me in a cellar all day bored to death making useless documents no one is going to look at anyway!"
"You are to do as you are told and do the work expected of you. We knew that you would be incapable of making a correct choice for yourself. You are much too impulsive Jonathan. You should be thanking me."
Jonathan laughed. " My blasted arse I'll thank you. Who exactly are we?" "Father, Adam and Myself. Trust me Jack. You know..JAACK suits you. Its so. common. Jaack we are constantly being informed of your lack of progress. Should you decide to become a man of excellence your position will change." He sipped his wine. Jonathan seethed at the arrogance.
"Charles your opinion of excellence is of no interest to me. I have no intention of becoming a bad copy of you."
You, Jaack, are a bad copy of the buttocks of an ass. The word excellence is not in your vocabulary nor will it ever be something that you have the drive to aspire to in your life.
"Jaack" Charles paused as his face looked as if he had stepped in something unpleasant, "it suits you well you know, so miserably common. I fear you will remain a joke amongst proper men as you will always be lacking in character yet always be trying desperately to prove yourself a valuable member of society."
Jonathan looked to Adam for assistance. Adam, not wanting Charles' wrath to turn to him, shrugged and gave Jonathan a "you're on your own brother" look.
"I refuse" Jonathan said. "I'm not going to sit in that dungeon surrounded by gits who can't go a day without discussing the coming of Christ Gerardus Mercator or brag on who can be the fastest at boxing the compass as fascinating luncheon conversation!"
"Do as you wish Jaack " Charles sniffed. "If you are not there and punctual tomorrow you will find yourself without a situation. Of course, I am sure you could earn a much better living with that gypsy wife of yours.
I'll tell you what" he pulled a shilling out of his pocket and threw it across the table to his brother. " I'll be your first customer. Perhaps your dollymop misses having real men."
NEXT - Brothers, blood and a swordfight with dad.