Nelson: “Order the signal, Hardy.”
Hardy: “Aye, aye, sir.”
Nelson: “Hold on, that’s not what I dictated to the Signals. What’s the meaning of this?”
Hardy: “Sorry, sir?”
Nelson (reading aloud) :“England expects every person to do his duty, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, religious persuasion or disability. What nonsense is this, man?”
Hardy: “Admiralty policy, I’m afraid, sir. We’re an equal opportunities employer now. We had a terrible job getting ‘England’ past the censors, in case it was considered racist.”
Nelson: “Gadzooks, Hardy. Hand me my pipe and tobacco.”
Hardy: “Sorry, sir. All naval vessels have been designated no-smoking working environments.”
Nelson: “In that case, break open the rum ration. Let us splice the main brace to steel the men before battle.”
Hardy: “The rum ration has been abolished, I’m afraid, admiral. It’s part of the government’s policy on binge drinking.”
Nelson: “Ye Gods, Hardy. I suppose we’d better get on with it then . . . full speed ahead.”
Hardy: “I think you’ll find there’s a four-knot speed limit in this stretch of water, sir.”
Nelson: “Damn it, man! We are on the eve of the greatest sea battle in history. We must advance with all dispatch. Report from the crow’s nest, please.”
Hardy: “That won’t be possible, sir.”
Nelson: “What?”
Hardy: “Health and safety have closed the crow’s nest, sir. There’s no safety harness. They have also pointed out that the rope ladder doesn’t meet regulations. I’m afraid they won’t let anyone up there until a proper scaffolding can be erected.”
Nelson: “Then get the ship’s carpenter without delay, Hardy.”
Hardy: “He’s busy knocking up a wheelchair access to the fo’c’sle, admiral.”
Nelson: “Wheelchair access? On a battleship? I’ve never heard anything so absurd.”
Hardy: “Health and safety again, sir. We have to provide a barrier-free environment for the differently abled.”
Nelson: “Differently abled? I’ve only one arm and one eye and I refuse even to hear mention of the word. I didn’t rise to the rank of admiral by playing the disability card.”
Hardy: “Actually, sir, you did. The Royal Navy is under represented in the areas of visual impairment and limb deficiency.”
Nelson: “Whatever next? Give me full sail. The salt spray beckons.”
Hardy: “A couple of minor problems there too, I’m afraid, sir. Health and safety won’t let the crew up the rigging without hard hats and they don’t want anyone breathing in too much salt because it could result in high blood pressure.”
Nelson: “I’ve never heard such infamy. Break out the cannon and tell the men to stand by to engage the enemy.”
Hardy: “The men are a bit worried about shooting at anyone, admiral.”
Nelson: “What? This is mutiny.”
Hardy: “It’s not that, sir. It’s just that they’re afraid of being charged with murder if they actually kill anyone. There’s a couple of no-claim, no-fee lawyers on board, watching everyone like hawks.”
Nelson: “Then how are we to sink the Frogs?”
Hardy: “Actually, sir, we’re not.”
Nelson: “We’re not?”
Hardy: “No, sir. The French are our European partners now. According to the Common Fisheries Policy, we shouldn’t even be in this stretch of water. We could get hit with a claim for compensation.”
Nelson: “But you must hate a Frenchman as you hate the devil!”
Hardy: “I wouldn’t let the ship’s diversity coordinator hear you saying that, sir. You’ll be up on a disciplinary.”
Nelson: “You must consider every man an enemy who speaks ill of your king.”
Hardy: “Not any more, sir. We must be more inclusive. Now, please put on your kevlar vest; it’s the rules. It could save your life.”
Nelson: “Don’t tell me – health and safety. Whatever happened to rum, sodomy and the lash?”
Hardy: “As I explained, sir, rum is off the menu! And there’s a ban on corporal punishment.”
Nelson: “What about sodomy?”
Hardy: “I believe that is now legal, sir.”
Nelson: “In that case . . . kiss me, Hardy.
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