Conspiracy Theory - #92

The Peanut Butter Trade Embargo

In 1967, just after the 5-day war, a communique was sent from the offices of the Ministry for External Affairs in Pall Mall to the East German Cultural attache Heinz Gröbler at his place of residence. 

The communique from an unnamed source in the ministry stated that as a result of various acts of unwarranted attention by the Stasi directed to the Member of Parliament for Muswell Hill, the East German Commission would no longer be able to procure Peanut Butter. This draconian measure sent shockwaves around the diplomatic community. Ambassadors were recalled and stern rebukes were issued. This was the Cuban missile crisis all over again, but worse! 

Only after the intervention of the Deputy Kommissar of the Stasi (Herr Name Redacted) did the situation calm down. The world has never been as close to nuclear obliteration (until recently of course) as it was then. 

I was personally not involved and at no time was this ever mentioned in the international press
, which in itself makes the whole situation very strange! 

Taken from: "Notes from a rather unconvincing source" - John Zéro - 

To be published sometime in 2023

Day in the life of... (September 2020)

Spies work alone

-- Rattling around

the safe house.

Keep the mind active.

Wait for instructions.

Perfectly happy

in the silence.

---- London is

so very quiet. 

No news

for months.

Meanwhile, 

on the other side

of the world.

Another day,

another dead 

drop. 

Psychogeographical Meanderings - Brixton > Soho #8

The heady mix of Charlie (perfume and powder) and Castrol GTX (from the arches) are left dancing in the breeze to the sound of the HI-NRG soundtrack emanating from The Royal Vauxhall Tavern.

A gentle stroll as we head on to MI6, a ghastly looking building that is better forgotten - (Although I always loved the fact that everyone knew what it was and who was there but it never appeared in the Londoners bible A-Z). Instead, move on as the Thames shimmers underneath the Vauxhall Bridge.

Talking of bridges, further West the floodlights of Stamford Bridge fill the heart with joy and exuberance.

Even from this distance I can still hear The Shed singing:

"Out from The Shed came a rising young star, scoring goals past Pat Jennings from near and from far, when Cheslea won as we all knew they would, the star of that great team was Peter Osgood, Osgood, Osgood  Osgood, Osgood Born is the king of Stamford Bridge!"

The starlings fly north this winter

Code blue
section 14
stand down

raven has left the tower

await further instructions

James Bond & Harry Palmer

It is often said that where Bond glamourised the world of espionage, Palmer epitomised the mundane nature of life in the British Secret Service. For every one of Bond's rather rich meals in a french casino, Palmer rustles up a nice little omelette for his current acquaintance. It is new money v old England, Flash v Stylish, Fleming v Deighton...

Interestingly enough, Deighton was actually invited to write the screenplay for From Russia with love. Although little of it was actually used. Either way, the truth of the matter is, they both looked good, dressed well & drank steadily. All in all, enough to satisfy Gentlemen of any era!