Today our adventure takes us to a conversation between Lucas and Janine.
Currently Lucas is telling Janine about the optimal ripeness and time of day to eat a banana.
Inside Lucas’ head, Flumpy, interaction coordinator and temporary conversation manager, puts down the sandwich he was eating, picks up the phone and shouts:
‘I need Flensington up ere now!’
Flensington arrives on the control deck impeccably dressed in a flamboyant yet tasteful purple and turquoise robe.
‘What’s the matter Flumpy?’
‘Look at Janine’s face. For some reason or other we’re losing her attention and and what’s weird is we’re being all dead interesting and that!’
Flensington examines Janine’s body language.
‘Let me see now, restless behaviour, glazed over expression, obvious lack of eye contact and a general look of boredom, you’re right it does look like we’ve lost Janine’s attention. What is Lucas currently talking about?’
‘The best time to eat bananas’
‘Indeed that can’t be the problem, our thoughts on that topic are remarkable’
Flensington pondered for a moment.
‘Tell me Flumpy, when was the last time Janine spoke?’
‘Eh I’d say bout alf an hour ago’
‘Ah there you go!’
‘What?’
‘She’s suffering from listener’s fatigue, you’ve been letting Lucas talk too much. Don’t worry it’s easily fixed.’
Flensington bent over and typed something into the computer.
‘What did you do?’
‘Added an injection of engagement’
Flumpy and Flensington watched as Lucas stopped talking midflow and asked Janine – What do you think?
Janine perked up despite being surprised that she asked for her opinion and she hastily started talking.
‘There you go!’
‘Oh cheers boss!’
Flensington looked down at the desk and spotted the half eaten sandwich. He picked it up and turned to Flumpy.
‘Is this my sandwich?’
‘Eh well em…’
Flensington slapped Flumpy across the face with the sandwich.
‘Get your own flumping sandwiches you nincompoop!’
Thomas Duggan 