(Picking it up, hefting it) “It’s heavy. And cold. And—is that a tread mark?”

“What are you—that’s priceless —!”

“Sir, may I see your monocle for a moment?”

“It is ready.”

The Holle 40 Fiasco

Before Blackadder can refuse, she unlatches a worn leather case. Inside, nestled in velvet, is a perfect, mirror-smooth steel cube.

(Slowly turning to Blackadder) “Your batman has just summarized advanced quantum matrix inversion. I am horrified. And impressed.”

“Wonderful. So we have a lunatic Italian weapon that turns tanks into paperweights, a batman who understands physics by way of stew, and the Germans are 400 yards away preparing a massive offensive. What’s the plan?”

As Baldrick shuffles out, General Melchett bursts in, monocle gleaming.

(Stunned) “By Jove. We’ve won.”