Rumpole Misbehaves by John Mortimer Read Free Book Online Page A

are, I have always thought, very like the number 11 bus. You wait an age to get one and then a whole platoon of them turn up at the same time. Not too long ago I had been facing unemployment, enforced retirement and the prospect of long days without wig or gown in the sole company of She Who Must Be Obeyed in Froxbury Mansions. Now I had not only young Peter’s ASBO and Graham Wetherby’s murder but also, thanks again to the industrious Bonny Bernard, Scottie Thompson’s importation of illegal female immigrants by way of the port of Dover.
    I was brooding over the defence in the last-named case when there was a sharp rap on the door and there entered Claude Erskine-Brown. I heard the voice but didn’t turn my head to it.
    â€˜I’ve come to serve you, Rumpole,’ was what he said.
    â€˜That’s extremely kind of you, Erskine-Brown. I’d like a large cup of black coffee, no milk or sugar, and a couple of Chambers shortbread biscuits.’
    â€˜I don’t mean I’ve come to serve you, Rumpole. Rather I’m here to serve on you.’
    â€˜Please, Erskine-Brown. I’m sure there was a laugh in there somewhere, but as you can see I’m extremely busy. An important immigration case has come my way. It will probably hit the headlines. So if you can give me the coffee without delay…’
    â€˜I am not serving you coffee, Rumpole. And I understand shortbread biscuits are no longer available. I am serving this on you now, and I’d like you to sign on the form that you’ve received it.’
    For the first time I turned to look at the chap. He was holding out a piece of paper which seemed to quiver in his shaking hand. Erskine-Brown was, I thought, in a state of high excitement. I took the paper from him and spread it out on my desk. ‘What’s this, Claude?’ I tried to be civil. ‘Another slice of criminal law the government’s produced which no one can understand?’
    â€˜Read it, Rumpole. I think you’ll find it perfectly understandable.’
    I glanced at the document. It seemed to bear my name and I read a heading: ‘Application for an Anti-social Behaviour Order’. I thought it must have something to do with the case of young Peter Timson until I read the particulars of the conduct complained of. They came in a column headed ‘Behaviour of Horace Rumpole’, which I will quote in full for accuracy.
Bringing various articles of food into Chambers such as portions of cold steak and kidney pie, various cheeses, cooked sausages and chipped potatoes. On several occasions a shepherd’s pie would be imported from a public house and gradually consumed over a period of days. On several occasions uneaten portions of this pie were discovered left in a filing cabinet in the said Rumpole’s room expressly provided for the storage of legal documents.
Bringing intoxicating drinks into the said Chambers such as bottles of wine and consuming them on the premises.
On several occasions singing in his room in the said Chambers, thereby causing embarrassment to the members and the clerical staff.
Smoking small cigars causing a health hazard in Chambers and further polluting the atmosphere and thereby increasing the risk of global warming.
    â€˜Who thought up this ridiculous document?’ I asked Claude after I had read it through.
    â€˜We have formed a sub-committee to deal with your behaviour, Rumpole.’
    â€˜Oh, have you indeed? And is Soapy Sam in any way connected with this rubbish?’
    â€˜Samuel Ballard, QC, has given us his blessing.’
    â€˜Oh, has he indeed? What ingratitude!’
    â€˜It’s not just our leader, Rumpole. The staff of the chambers have told us that firm steps must be taken to see that you become more environmentally friendly. Now, if you’ll consent to sign along the dotted lines…’
    â€˜Consent? I’m not consenting to anything. I may eat steak and kidney pie,