One morning a few weeks ago, Bottom Man and the Countess were relaxing in the sitting-room.
"It's so nice to have you back home again, honey," said the Countess. "It was a bit lonely when you were stuck in India all that time."
"Yes, I still haven't forgiven Uncle Andy for leaving me there when they wouldn't let me on the plane. The damn cheek of them, trying to say I was too heavy!"
"Well it wasn't really Uncle Andy's fault. After all, he really had to push on to Australia to see all his nephews and nieces, didn't he. And anyway, he did cook us a lovely dinner the other night," continued the Countess sweetly.
"Harrumph!" was all Bottom Man said.
Just then, the TV turned itself on. Bottom Man's TV was a marvelous machine which was programmed to turn itself on only when there was something interesting to watch. This meant that it was off a good deal of the time, of course, but that is probably a good thing. This time there was a news flash on Channel Four, which was BM's favorite channel.
"In news just to hand, News 4 has learned that the beloved Mayor of Washington DC, Mr Adrian Fiddley, has been kidnapped while out jogging this morning," gushed the newsreader. This was the most dramatic thing that had happened in the city for quite some time, and the newsreader was obviously very excited.
"Looks like a job for Bottom Man", said the man himself, leaping to his feet.
"Off you go honey, I'll make some tea," murmured the Countess.