The Poor List Chapter 5

“. . . a dark satire on the war on terror. . .” Sheila Brennan ‘Terror and its Fictions’ in Wigan Review of Books No. 17 November August PT 20 p. 25-29 “Listen McCabe do you recognize any of these voices?” Poor List Chapter 5 Intercept

Transcript 1 - Line-drop mobile/pda no.’s […]1498sec3(i)5/04/p.t.12 23:07:52 length of conversation 1mn 30 sec. Transcript: [Background noise from A’s pda – heavy traffic/in car radio? (light classical)/woman’s voice, Southampton accent, at 1 min 15, 1 min 25 resp. /pneumatic drill. Start: Voice A (unidentified): ‘May is the most merciful of months.’ Voice B (Thought to be that of Warren Green currently henching in the Central Political Unit of the ISD): ‘But the scars of April must leave their mark.’ A: ‘Did the material get through?’ Green: ‘The concert will go ahead as planned.’ A: ‘Good. My people will be pleased. They are expecting a perfect performance. Are all the other pieces in pace?’ Green: ‘There are still some bodies, some players to be found. But we’re not expecting there to be any shortage, any problems… A: ‘What? Warren, you should have had this all tied up by now.. [indecipherable]… yes…The conductor wants things brought forward. A month maybe more.’ Green: ‘Why?’ A: ‘What’s that?’ Green: ‘I said ‘why’?’

A: Just to make sure, all the instruments made it didn’t they? Green: ‘There’s been a bit of a delay but…’ [drilling noise over shouting] A: ‘…wit. Green, you do know who you’re working for here? I mean. Come on. Green: ‘Look, percussion instruments are delicate things and…’ A: [indecipherable]…take a right here…Don’t fuck with us Green. We know all the fucking games ok? Green: ‘I. What? Look. Everything’s under control, everything’s cool. Look why are things being moved?’ A: ‘Cool? Green Cool? I don’t want to have to inform the conductor of any delays. This is of utmost importance… [Woman’s voice]: ‘ECH on the blue line sir.’ A: ‘About bloody time.’ Green: ‘I still need, the, er, notes.’ [Woman’s voice]: ‘Something about Friday…’ A: ‘Just get things sorted out Green.’ Ends.