Think before you blink and you might just make it

[Slater is in no condition to go to work or do anything much at all. Returning to himself, he was left with a vague feeling of Del Boy's feelings and as odd as that would be in of itself, what Del had been feeling made him feel even worse.

It was only when he realised that his bottle had been empty that he pulled himself together enough to reach for his communicator.]

[Private to Hannibal]

That was your sister, right? Didn't make it, did she.

[Private to George]

Seeing as you're up. Get me a bottle of Paddy's whiskey. Actually, you know? Make it two.

No questions.

[Slater is sitting back at the library's desk, reading Extraordinary Popular Delusions and the Madness of Crowds by Charles Mackay. He's just at the start of the book with a 'I haven't decided whether or not I'm taking this book seriously' look on his face, although he's fairly absorbed in it.

His job is to sign out books. He does this with a leery eye and and unimpressed look: the kind that anyone with previous dealing with police-like services is going to interpret as the look a cell-sergeant gives you before he hands back your belongings and lets you back into the wild world. You'll be back is a threat a little out of place in a library, but the implication behind it reminds the same. You'll be back here because you've failed: either at graduation or graduating someone else.

If he can get away with it, he'll say nothing to you beyond telling you when it's due back before shoving it in your direction. He continues staring at you as he reaches for his book and sits back. Properly seated, he returns his eyes to the page he left off. Consider yourself dismissed.

If you're the kind to walk out without going through the paperwork, it'll seem to the casual observer that he doesn't notice, such is his interest in his reading, but the more observant among you will notice his eyes flick up and watch you as you leave.

What'll come of that? Well, nothing, unless he can think of way to work to his advantage.]

What did I want? Flagg offered me a deal an' I took it. Not because I believed he'd live up to 'is end, 'cause that's dumb. Someone can't promise ya something concrete, they ain't going to deliver. A 'wish'? [Snort.]

Yeah, I wish to be outta here. And mebbe that's what got people into it. I got into it because I didn't wanna get eaten. I get dragged 'ere against my will, I'm not goin' to stick my neck out for you lot benefittin' from it. And no matter how many 'bonding exercises' the Admiral's going to put us through, I ain't going to change that.

And no, I didn't live up to my end neither.

All right! Bloody 'ell!

Here's my sodding Christmas list!

Get Rose a tin of Roses with the price sticker from her local shop still on it. Tag reads: Ta for the help Love.

I'd like one o' them iPod things, with music I'll like on it.

And those people who never killed nobody on this Barge, if there are any of them knocking about, give them a box of their favourite chocs.

That's all you're getting from me.