This might help undent it, Poirot… I think I've stumbled across a picture of M. H!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Eunuco_haciendo_guardia_en_un_har%C3%A9n.jpg

But to keep it relevant for Squeers – in the unlikely circumstance you haven't seen this famous piece of graffiti:

To be or not to be – Shakespeare; To be is to do – Socrates; To do is to be – Sartre; Do be do be do – Sinatra

WmTrevor,

Nice postcard - I wondered where Houellie had got to.

Just as an aside (since I can't resist my alter-ego of Cora) I'm rather taken with my hubby, Robert, Earl of Grantham. He's honourable, kind to his servants and all round loverly.

Since you have a penchant for mentally recasting Downton Abbey, who do you reckon fits the Hugh Bonneville character amongst OLOers?

Originally considered for the role of the Earl of Grantham, Pericles was unavailable due to prior commitments (but was able to be scheduled as Dr Clarkson), so the part is currently occupied by Saltpetre – on a limited contract due to upcoming UNESCO ambassador responsibilities.

Outside OLO, the rumour is that it is being performed by some garage-door wrestling bloke in Western Australia under a pseudonym.

Since you didn't ask… appearing as Mr Carson is Squeers.

Poirot, I preferred Hugh Bonneville as Josh Sedley in Vanity Fair, now there's a wonderful period film! But he's not nearly so fine in it.

Trev, Mr Carson!! Give me a break! I s'pose it could have been worse; at least I'm not the lame John Bates!
I'm more suited to the Colin Firth type roles, who was born on the same day and city as moi btw. I often refer to him with my kids as my long lost ugly twin.

Okay, now I'll have to get my maid to fetch the smelling salts...a mild swoon coming upon me at the mention of the delectable Colin Firth.

So I'm married to Saltpetre (who, alas, will never know because he never visits the general section). I think Mr Carson is superb as he is cast, btw.

Squeers, I have to say that I always imagined you as maybe harbouring a wild poetic Heathcliffy type soul, kept very well hidden under your butler's exterior : )

I take your point, Squeers, but it works for me as I imagine your writings in Jim Carter's stentorian voice, plus the bemusement of the character's secret vaudevillian past. But given what I've said above about Houellebecq the deal was sealed when I read this on the character wiki: "He is nostalgic for the past and has a close relationship with Violet Crawley, Dowager Countess of Grantham."

Some of us are desperate enough to get our chuckles where we can.

I understand what you mean about the Firth thing – but for me, you've got the wrong one – not Colin so much as Peter. As in Spooks rather than Equus.

Poirot, what do you think of the idea of Shadow Minister as Thomas Barrow?