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PAGE NINETEEN

PANEL ONE: MARSDEN begins to interrupt but PUNCH holds up a hand.

MARSDEN:
Mr. Punch-

PUNCH:
Don’t get me wrong! I applaud the essential Britishness of outlining your intent.

PANEL TWO: PUNCH suddenly stops smiling and looks more focussed, more intently, at MARSDEN.

PUNCH:
But let me explain, Mister Marsden Man. Just as you don’t know who I am, neither do I know who you are.

PUNCH2:
And there’s a reason for that, sir, indeed.

PANEL THREE: PUNCH notices his coat hanging on the coat rack and picks it up..

PUNCH:
My Cabal, as you call them, are remarkably well-informed people, sir, just as I imagine you believe yourself to be.

PUNCH2:
Oh, is this my coat? Cheers.

PANEL FOUR: PUNCH puts on his coat. He looks much more impressive now.

PUNCH:
And yet they have never mentioned you to me, not once. Which means, either you are incredibly subtle in all your doings--

PANEL FIVE: PUNCH puts his hands on his hips, now in full Punch mode, and faces MARSDEN.

PUNCH:
--or, and this is more likely: You are utterly beneath their notice.

PANEL SIX: PUNCH dictates terms to MARSDEN with an evil, impish grin.

PUNCH:
I’ve heard your terms. Now let me tell you mine.