The Secret PPE Tapes

As the Covid Enquiry ploughs irresistibly on, Clemantics is happy to
report that recordings of conversations held on the PPE VIP hotline
have fallen into our hands. We are privileged to bring them
into the Public Domain.
Scene: Room 101 somewhere in
the bowels of the Department of Health and Social Care
The Hotline Answer Phone:
Hi! You are held in a queue. Your call may
be important to us. Please hold the line. In the meantime, enjoy the
music (we think you'll like it!) Life
in the Fast Lane by the Eagles plays on a loop
DHSC
Official:
Well Hello, Ozzie the Official here and
welcome to the VIP hot line, where we make dreams come true for the
few or at least stuff your trousers with so much lucre you won't be
able to walk home. Now how can I help?
A
Punter:
To be honest; I'm not interested in the money. I've 20
years experience of providing PPE, so I know how to get hold of the
necessary garments etc.
DHSC
Official:
Well, I am sorry to hear that. Anyway, moving on. I have
5 Questions to put to you. I must warn you that your
answers will determine exactly how fast you will speed down that ole'
fast lane.
Question 1: Do you have any
previous experience of PPE? You've already answered that. I'm afraid
it was the wrong answer. We're looking for people, who won't get
caught up in red tape like quality control, trading standards etc.
Question 2: Do you have a shell
company with Off-shore bank accounts?
A
Punter:
No, I don't have either of these. Are they strictly
necessary?
DHSC
Official:
Well, yes, I'm afraid they are. I would have thought
that was obvious. Let's proceed.
Question 3: Do you
know or have you ever enjoyed Ugandan
Conversations with a Government Minister?
A
Punter:
No, I've generally steered clear of politicians but this
crisis is so great, I thought that I would bite the bullet for the
sake of the greater good. I don't speak Swahili, by the
way, whatever that's got to do with anything.
DHSC
Official:
You really are rather 'Old School' aren't you Mrs.
Punter?
Question 4: What
Percentage of profits would you be thinking of donating to a Charity
of your choice, say a Major, historically
successful Political Party?
A Punter:
I wasn't actually seeking to make a profit, just to
cover my overheads, I think that's better than a charitable donation,
don't you?
DHSC
Official:
Moving right along.
Question 5: The Department has
acquired a huge consignment of black bin bags. Would you be able to
pass these off, I mean make modifications so that they can be sold as
PPE?
A Punter:
That's preposterous and immoral. I would not dignify
the question with an answer.
DHSC
Official:
Is that non-answer your final answer? A.
Punter confirms that it is.
Then let's see how you've done – you've given the
wrong answer to all the questions, save the one you didn't answer at
all. I'm afraid you're absolutely no use to us. You see the algorithm
tells me that you are 'squeaky clean'. 'Squeaky Clean' is the last
thing we need for PPE!!

DHSC
Official:
Well Hello, Ozzie the Official here.
Welcome to the VIP hot line, where we make dreams come true for the
few or at least stuff your trousers with so much lucre you won't be
able to walk home. Now how can I help?
A
Pub Landlord:
Bless my Rub-a-dub! I thought I was on the blower to
The Brewery to find out what has happened to my consignment of Greene
King. Who the hell are you?
DHSC
Official:
This is the Covid PPE VIP hotline. If you answer a few
simple questions correctly, we can make you rich beyond your wildest
dreams.
A
Pub Landlord:
In that case, me old China, ask away.
DHSC
Official:
That's settled then.
Question1: Do you have any previous
experience of PPE?
A
Pub Landlord:
Oh
Yes! Pumpkin
Pie
with Eels
it's our signature dish. We are a Gastropub, you
know.
DHSC
Official:
Actually
I was referring to Personal Protective
Equipment.
A
Pub Landlord:
Knock me down with a feather. Never heard of it.
DHSC
Official:
Excellent answer. Just what I wanted to hear. Try this
one.
Question 2:Do
you have a shell company with Off-shore bank accounts?
A
Pub Landlord:
Now ain't that strange? My local MP was in my pub just
the other day. He taps his nose and says 'Ted, ever thought of
opening up an off-shore bank account? I think you should have one.'
He gives me the number for a bank in the Dutch Antilles. So Bob's
your uncle, I now have one.
DHSC
Official:
Splendid. This looks very promising. I think if you can
answer the next question correctly, we can dispense with all the
others.
Question 3: Do you know
or have you ever enjoyed Ugandan Conversations with a
Government Minister?
A
Pub Landlord:
Oh yeah, like I said, Old Handjob is often
in my pub. I wouldn't say we were Besties, just close.
DHSC
Official:
Well, that's simply spliffing. I will pass you on to the
Treasury with a recommendation of 100 Big Ones. Just
remember my name – OZZIE- when the kite
lands in your account.
DHSC
Official:
Well Hello, Ozzie the Official here and
welcome to the VIP hot line, where we make dreams come true for the
few or at least stuff your trousers with so much lucre you won't be
able to walk home. So, who's on the line?
A.
Noble:
It's Meesh, just a working class lass, but
you can call me Your Ladyship. So how do I get my hands on this
lucre?
DHSC
Official:
It's rather easy. You just need to answer 5
questions correctly. Oh, wait a minute. Are you Moaning
Meesh from somewhere up North?
A.
Noble:
That's me, Chucky Egg
DHSC
Official:
Oh, I'm sorry to have delayed you with my rambling, I am
instructed to put you through to the Hotissimus hot line.
Just hold the line; one moment...
A.
Bozzer:
Wha; Wha! Who's the lucky girl who's come straight
through to the Greased Piglet? Is that you Meesh...
