The Good Life1975

Margo:
Did you, or did you not see a pale blue envelope cellotaped to the handle of your pick-axe this morning?

Arthur Bailey:
Yes, I did.

Margo:
And what was written on that envelope?

Arthur Bailey:
N.B.

Margo:
Well?

Arthur Bailey:
Well, I'm not N. Bailey. I'm Arthur Bailey. A.B.

Margo:
You stupid man!

Arthur Bailey:
You can't talk to me like that.

Margo:
I can, because I pay your wages, and get off my carpet. For your information Mr. Bailey, N.B. means Nota Bene.

Arthur Bailey:
Who?

Margo:
It's Latin.

Arthur Bailey:
Oh. Well, I come from Balham.

Margo:
Very well. The fact that you come from Balham probably does excuse your ignorance of even elementary Latin. It does not excuse ignoring a written instruction which is sellotaped to the handle of your pick-axe.

Arthur Bailey:
Written instructions are for white collar workers. I'm manual.

Margo:
I see. So unless a sign reads: "Keep off the grass, Mr. Bailey, and all other manual workers", you ignore it, do you?

Arthur Bailey:
I didn't mean that.

Margo:
Well, what do you mean Mr. Bailey?

Arthur Bailey:
I mean it's up now. It's a fait accompli.

Margo:
Oh, so we know French in Balham, but no Latin?