A Bishop Rehearsing

 

 

 

(Animated titles. Cut back to the same group of animals minus the elk. Birdsong etc. The elk's remains are smoldering. The owl explodes, Pan away from the woodland clearing to an open field in which at a distance a bishop is pacing up and down holding a script. Mr.. Chigger in a suit approaches the bishop and we zoom in to hear their conversation.)

 

Bishop: (Michael Palin) 'Oh Mr. Belpit your legs are so swollen' ... swollen .. 'Oh Mr. Belpit - oh Mr. Belpit your legs are so swollen'. (tries a different voice) 'Oh Mr. Belpit., .'

 

Mr. Chigger (Terry Jones): Excuse me, excuse me. I saw your advertisement for flying lessons and I'd like to make an application.

 

Bishop: Nothing to do with me. I'm not in this show.

 

Mr. Chigger: Oh I see. D'you ... d'you., . do you know about the flying lessons?

 

Bishop: Nothing to do with me. I'm not in this show. This is show five - I'm not in until show eight.

 

Mr. Chigger: Oh I see.

 

Bishop: I'm just learning my lines, you know. 'Oh Mr. Belpit, your legs...'

 

Mr. Chigger: Bit awkward, I'm a bit stuck.

 

Bishop: Yes, well. Try over there.

 

(Bishop points to a secretary, Carol Cleveland, some yards away sitting at a desk typing.)

 

Mr. Chigger: Oh yes, thanks. Thanks a lot.

 

Bishop: 'Oh Mr. Belpit' - not at all - 'your legs are so swollen'.

 

(He continues rehearsing as Mr. Chigger moves over to the secretary)