The Omniscient Mussel

Quiz #18

Happy long weekend to those readers tuning in from America and the UK. The idea of a Bank Holiday has long been a source of confusion, since it has been Miss Mussel’s experience that British banks are permanently on holiday. If you should enter a bank during its “opening hours” [10pm-3pm M-F], it is unlikely that you will find any actual work taking place.

The following is not a dramatization:

Miss M: Hello, I would like a money order please.
Bank Employee: Very well then, for how much?
MM: 12 Canadian dollars
BE: Ok, good. There will be a service charge of £7.50 for that.
MM: [suppresses pained look] Fine
BE: Erm…ok. When would you like it?
MM: What do you mean, when would I like it?
BE: When would you like the bankers draft?
MM: [pauses to be sure her leg is not being pulled] Uh…now?
BE: [chuckles nervously] I’m afraid that’s not possible. The earliest we could manage it is tomorrow afternoon but I can’t guarantee it.
MM: Can’t you just do it right now, since I’m standing here?
BE: No. I’m sorry. It’s not my department. Naomi does those and she’s not in today.
MM: [trying to work out if she has inadvertently entered the twilight zone] Right then. I’ll take some more time off work and come back tomorrow before three. Should I ring before I come?
BE: That would be best, yes.

Total cost of money order including admin fees, time off work and bus fare: £25 or nearly $60.

Here’s the mystery piece for the week. Send along the name of composer, title of piece and date of composition when you get it. Clues will be given on Tues and Weds. All correct answers received before midnight on Weds will be entered into a draw for a $20 credit at Arkiv Music or a chance to choose the piece for an upcoming quiz.

All the best!