Sunday, May 5, 2013

167 Quiz Answer


The answer to this week's quiz: William Shakespeare's "Henry V." 

(Also for Three Word Wednesday and ABC Wednesday: "Q" is for Quentin.)
Here’s this week’s Berownial quiz question.

As you know, Shakespeare wrote a number of plays named for English kings.  I wrote the following, basing it loosely on one of his most famous “king” plays.   Laurence Olivier and Kenneth Branagh starred in two of the famous films made about this king.

So your assignment, should you choose to accept it, is this: give us the name of the Shakespeare king suggested by the following.

Quentin is a young guy with a top job. 

When his father passed away, Quentin became CEO of the family’s huge corporation.  He’s well aware that there’s a possibility that because of his youth some people are not going to be taking him seriously.

Today’s a big day.  He has a meeting scheduled with another CEO to discuss a possible merger.  The man who shows up for the meeting has brought a gift.  Because lanky young Quentin has a reputation as a tennis player, the gift is a box of tennis balls.

Quentin:  “Tennis balls?”

Visitor: “You bet.  A full box of the best.  They’re Dunlop Professional tennis balls, especially created for performance and durability.  You’ll love ‘em.”

“I – I guess I’m a bit confused.  My meeting today was with your CEO.”

“Well hey, you understand, the guy’s a very busy man.  He’s always juggling three or four deals around.  I’m his personal assistant and he wanted me to convey his warm and fuzzy best wishes to you and, most important, to discuss your reaction to his idea of a possible merger.”

“And your name..?”

“Just call me Phil.”

“Ok Phil, let’s see if I understand.  I set up a meeting to discuss your CEO’s idea of a possible merger of our two corporations – it was his idea - but he’s too busy; he sends his personal assistant.”

“I assure you I’m fully qualified…”

“And he also sends me a gift, a box of tennis balls – something you might give a high-school kid.”

“I see you’re getting a bit upset.”

“Upset?  Well, you see, on a subject as important as a possible merger of two corporations, I can meet only with another CEO, not a personal assistant.”

“I’ll report back to him that…”

“Yes, report to him that I enjoy the game we’re playing.  Tell him I’m just an adolescent he doesn’t have to take seriously.  But here's my ultimatum: tell him I’ve got a terrific forehand and an even more powerful destructive backhand.  And tell him that his serve - the idea of a merger of our two firms - has gone straight into the net!”

By the way, the tennis balls were not my idea.  Shakespeare wrote a scene about tennis balls; it’s an important part of this play.

(Also submitted to Sunday Scribblings)

 

42 comments:

Altonian said...

Thank you Berowne! This just happens - rightly or wrongly - to be my favourite Shakespeare play about my favourite English King: Henry the Fifth. Don't say me nay, or I'll "Lay on like a butcher!"

Berowne said...

Greetings to Altonian, the first to come up with the right answer. Who's next?

Anonymous said...

Aha...his balls hath turned to gunstones :)
Rallentanda

Jae Rose said...

Henry V - if i am right i confess i cheated because you gave a few clues! ;)

kaykuala said...

Berowne, Henry V, I would think

Hank

Berowne said...

We now have quite a collection of right answers - from kaykuala, jaerose, Rallentanda and Tess K. Keep 'em coming!

The Blog of Bee said...

Henry Vth

Berowne said...

Bee's Blog is also with us; another right answer.

naturgesetz said...

Henry V. But which Part? I'll guess Part II because there's so much that has to be gotten out of the way in Part I.

Kathe W. said...

Henry V ? Cheers Berowne have a grand day!

Berowne said...

Kathe W and naturgesetz have also coughed up the right answer.

DCW said...

That would be our young Henry who was not liked by the Dauphin. Those French noblemen always were raqueteers.

Josie Two Shoes said...

I am thinking it's Henry V?

Old Egg said...

This can only be "Henry V" getting a gift of tennis balls.

Sharp Little Pencil said...

Henry the Fifth? That's the one I remember both Olivier and Branagh doing.

Berowne said...

Four more have stepped into the winners' circle by providing us with the correct answer: Sharp Little Pencil, oldegg, Josie Two Shoes and DCW. Who's next?

Tigerbrite said...

I don't have an answer. I just wanted to say I enjoyed it especially the last para.

Lyn said...

Tennis balls..aha! Henry V..saw both movies, plus once in Central Park, maybe Kevin Kline??

Berowne said...

Lyn has joined us, and once again provides us with the correct answer.

Mrs.Trellis said...

I don't have the intelligence to play mind games with anybody but Caddoc!

Roger Owen Green said...

Got this from the Olivier/Branaugh reference right off: Hank 5. I mean Henry V

Sheilagh Lee said...

Henry V

Berowne said...

Two more have given us the right answer: Sheilagh Lee snd Roger Owen Green - congrats, both.

Unknown said...

Henry V?

21 Wits said...

My answer is..... Henry V

Tumblewords: said...

Well, look at that long list of smart folks. I'm not one, so I'll just say I enjoyed the tale and I'll stop back to see what the 'firsters' knew.

Berowne said...

Karen S and Frankie Jay have also given us the right answer.

Kate said...

Hamlet or Henry V, Kate ABC Team

gautami tripathy said...

Such a pleasure to read this....

Beautiful!!!

I would rather pick the clouds

Berowne said...

Kate is another with the correct answer.

Hildred said...

Shakespeare Henry V?

Silent Otto said...

King Rob Starc , i believe the play was called " Game of Thrones". Cheers Bero '

Berowne said...

Hildred has just joined our few,our happy few, with the right answer.

PhenoMenon, ABCW Team said...

Tennis balls is associated with King Henry V I think.. quite an interesting puzzle :)

PhenoMeon
ABCW Team

Berowne said...

The latest with the right answer: PhenoMenon.

Dandelion Girl said...

I do enjoy these each week :)

Shady Gardener said...

Who am I to Quibble?? ;-)

Lady In Read said...

Will try this one - Henry V??
enjoyed reading this today

Berowne said...

Lady in Read has just checked in with the correct answer.

Lydia said...

Henry V. I know this only after having googled the actors' names to determine the role, and your comment about tennis balls led me to youtube where I watched Branagh's portrayal of the speech. Again, thank you for teaching here. I realize I must read this come summer.

Chubskulit Rose said...

I have no idea lol.

Quaint
Rose, ABC Wednesday Team

izzy said...

you certainly have fun with these!
thanks for visiting !

 
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