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Around the World in Eighty Days : The 130th Anniversary Reconstruction

From: Harry Hayfield <harryhayfield~at~btopenworld.com>
Date: Sat, 28 Sep 2002 21:34:12 +0100 (GMT Daylight Time)
To: "Jules Verne Forum" <jvf~at~math.technion.ac.il>
Cc: "Jules Verne in Brazil YAHOO Group" <juliovernebr~at~yahoogrupos.com.br>

T-minus three days : Sunday September 29th 1872 (a la rolling 24 hour news
service)

You're watching The News on Sky. We are now taking you live to the Bank of
England in Threadneedle Street, where news is reaching us this evening of an
audacious bank robbery. Our reporter on the scene will now tell us more.

That's right, on Sunday September 29th 1872, the events of a Sunday
afternoon set in motion the whole thing (although it does beggar the
question what was the Bank of England doing open on a Sunday afternoon?)

Anyway, back to the news report.

Thank you, I have with me now Mr. Gauthier Ralph, one of the governors at
the Bank of England. Mr. Ralph, can you tell us what happened?

Well, as far as we can tell, as the Chief Cashier was writing out a receipt
for 3 / 6 (three shillings and six old pence which is about the same as
17pence or in these days of the mighty dollar about 28 cents) the thief made
off with #55,000.

Just like that?

Just like that! The Bank of England holds the utmost regard for the general
public's dignity!

Indeed, but wasn't this just a robbery waiting to happen? I turn now to Mr.
Earnest Smythe who is an investor in the Bank. Mr. Smythe, would you please
tell us what your experiences are of security at the Bank of England.

I was in a room at the Bank one day when I wanted to examine a gold bar that
weighed about seven or eight pounds on the cashier's desk. I had a good look
at it and then passed it on to someone who asked if he could have a look. It
wasn't until 30 minutes later that the bar was given back to me and I placed
back on the desk. Not at any time during the bar's travels did the cashier
look up.

Thank you, Mr. Smythe. Now with me is the Commissioner Rowan of Scotland
Yard. Commissioner, a tricky case?

Not in the slightest, we have a very good description of the culprit and
have sent our best detectives to all the main ports around the world.
Liverpool, Glasgow, Le Havre in France, Suez in Egypt, Brindisi in Italy and
New York. We are also issuing a reward for any information leading to a
conviction. #2,000 plus a twentieth share of the money when it is recovered.
Thank you. If you have any information on this crime, then please contact
Scotland Yard in person or by telegraph. Back to the studio

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Sunday September 29th 2002 (Wow, 130 years later and it's the same day of
the week)

The main story in the UK today is the news that the former Prime Minister
John Major and Edwina Currie (former Conservative MP for Derbyshire South)
were involved romantically for four years in the early 1980's. Not a mention
of the anniversary of Jules Verne's publication anyway. Oh well, perhaps
some Fleet Street hack will notice the anniversary of it when the news
stories start to dry up just before Christmas

Harry Hayfield
Received on Sat 28 Sep 2002 - 23:38:15 IDT

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