SPOILERS ALERT: If you haven’t read last week’s post, then please go back and read that BEFORE reading this J
“Victor McLaglen?” I said.
“Yes!” our drunken friend said, “Victor McLaglen: the greatest Englishman of all time!”
My wife cast me a look which said “Who the hell is Victor McLaglen???”
I tapped her reassuringly on the arm. I wanted her to believe that everything was under control, even though it was very far from being so. Quite honestly I had no idea who Victor McLaglen was.
I scampered around like a demented idiot in the memory banks of my brain, trying to find the name Victor McLaglen. A footballer??? An explorer??? A singer??? An inventor??? I could hear the clock on that time bomb ticking away. I needed to find out the answer to who the hell Victor McLaglen was!
Then I got it. I almost leapt out of my seat and almost shreaked EUREKA! We were saved!
“He was an actor!” I said. “He played in some of John Wayne’s films.”
Our friend grinned from ear to ear. “You’re all right!” he said. “Victor McLaglen – the greatest Englishman of all time.”
He leaned over the table and shook my hand. “Now I’m going to buy you both a drink…”
It was an hour before we felt it was safe to make our excuses and leave our friend without invoking World War 3.
We walked home in silence. My sister was curled up on the sofa watching a film on TV (not one with Victor McLaglen, I should add!).
“Did you have a nice evening?” she asked.
“No!” my wife and I said in unison.
How about you? Who do you think is/was the greatest Englishman of all time???
I’m voting for Arthur Dent. I know. I know, fictional. But he was a fellow who could get himself out of a lot of pickles. If the end of the world was nigh, I would want to be next to an “Arthur,” as he has executable experience.
He’s a strong contender. You can’t help but respect a hero who wears a dressing-gown 🙂
Indeed!
I think my dad was the greatest Englishman, but I understand that I’m biased.
Shakespeare was a remarkable man. I enjoyed all the touristy things to do around his home in Stratford-upon-Avon. I’m currently smitten with Tom Mison as Ichabod Crane on Sleepy Hollow but now I’m just being silly.
Fun piece, Rob.
Actually, I’d put my dad up there as well – a good old-fashioned English gent but also an adventurer, bon vivant and all round good bloke.
He sounds wonderful!
He sounds wonderful. He and my dad would have enjoyed each other.
Yes, he was. One of the last generation to be born and raised into a colonial family 🙂
Maybe they both lived according to the Jack London philosophy of life – “I shall not waste my days trying to prolong them.
I shall use my time.” 🙂
King Arthur? izzit tooo late to vote?
You meanKing Arthur Dent from Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy?
when and where and how was Arthur Dent ever King? i suppose, as last Earthman, that that could be so …