Sunday 8 November 2009

Jobs at Telegraph

Global warning

Global warning

Wednesday, 13th June 2007

I was sitting in a train recently, wondering why everyone’s mobile telephone conversations, except my own, were so utterly banal, when a young black man sitting two rows behind me answered the irritating wail of his instrument of the devil. He began to speak, and I wished that I had learnt shorthand.

‘Hancock’s definitely put in a plea,’ he said. ‘Moran’s in the early stages. I’ve got to go back next week, but for the moment I’m on bail.’

As is often the case, his telephone rang non-stop.

‘There was a lot of negotiation going on while we worked out a plea bargain,’ he said.

He was quite well-spoken, more Nigerian swindler than Jamaican mugger, I should imagine; and since he seemed so little ashamed of whatever it was of which he stood accused, and had clearly done, I was half-inclined to ask him what it was. Since he had so pleasant a manner, I hoped it was something of which I could approve, or at least not disapprove.

It is a sign of the times, I suppose, that there are crimes of which I approve.

More articles from: Theodore Dalrymple | this section

Post this entry to:   del.icio.us | Digg | Newsvine | NowPublic | Reddit

Comments Post comment

Be the first to comment on this article!

Back to top

In this section

Ancient & Modern

Should the Tories follow Frank Field’s lead and, in the…

Status Anxiety

Oh dear. I may have to write a book…

Spectator Sport

Consider this: barring the intervention of an usually malevolent deity,…

Shared Opinion

‘Say what you like about servicemen amputees,’ said the comedian…

You Know It Makes Sense

If the devil is in the detail then Satan’s foremost…

sponsored links

Spectator recommends

Spectator classifieds

      GASCONY

GASCONY, SW France, near Condom-en-Armagnac 13th Century stone house, 21st Century luxury for 12 in 5 en-suites. 50 acres +

BIG SAND STEEL BAND

IF YOU ARE PLANNING A CHAMPAGNE RECEPTION and looking for some light entertainment, you can now hire London's busiest steel

BOSC LEBAT, Tarn et Garonne.

BOSC LEBAT, SW France. Only 45 minutes from Toulouse Airport with daily flights from most provincial airports avoiding the horrors