In an antechamber adjacent to the Field Marshal's offices a much decorated
senior officer of the General Staff paces the floor impatiently. He works
his shoulder as if to remove some stiffness as a result of recent
excercise - indeed, he is looking somewhat beefier of late.
A side door opens, and an orderly enters carrying a sheaf of papers.
Orderly: Sorry to have kept you waiting so long, Sir.
AdM: I should think so. I _do_ have more important matters to attend to than
waiting around while you chaps tie up the formalities, you know. I take it
those include the official ratification of my new appointment ? The
Divisional restructuring will require a lot of work and I want to get
started right away.
Orderly: I'm afraid that there has been a problem, Sir - I'm merely
returning your application papers. Apparently, you do not hold the correct
rank to secure the Adjutant-General's post.
AdM: Really? And what rank should that be?
Orderly: Why, Lieutenant-General, I believe Sir.
AdM: I see. Well orderly, amongst the sheaf of papers you are holding there
will be a brevet in my name signed by His Majesty personally. Perhaps you
would be kind enough to tell me to what rank it refers?
Orderly: Mmmm, let me see....Ah, here it is! It's a brevet
for....Lieutenant-General....Sir.
AdM: Very good! Now, are you going to return my application papers to the
appropriate office with the suggestion that the clerks examine them more
closely, or would you rather I took them in and PERSONALLY HORSEWHIPPED THE
LOT OF THEM!!!?
[OOC: AdM didn't get the AG post this month due to 'not having the correct
rank' - which he does, in fact, hold. Barring any counter-influence, he
should have gained the appointment automatically. Could you sort this out
please, Greg - the AG has to appoint the Divisional Commanders this month...
-Paul ]
