Yes, Prime Minister/Day 2

Once Hacker's room has reappeared on the screen (now in the day of 2 April 1985, with the clock saying 09:02), you will have to wait until the clock says 09:10 (or direct the cursor over to it and activate it to fast-forward it to that time); once you have done so, the teletype's light shall start to flash. Once you have directed the cursor over to the teletype and activated it, a zoomed-in view of the printout shall appear on the screen, like both times on the first day:

Our Parliamentary Correspondent reports rumours of a physical confrontation between the Leader of the Opposition and a Government backbencher in the House.

Once the view has returned to Hacker's room (by which time the clock will say 09:12), you will have to wait until the clock says 09:20 (or direct the cursor over to it, and activate it to fast-forward it to that time); once you have done so, the intercom will start flashing. Once you have directed the cursor over to it and activated it the digitised image of Derek Fowlds (1937-2020) as Bernard Woolley will appear in the screen's top-right with the text Bernard: Prime Minister, the PRATS meeting awaits you. below it - and once the view is returned to Hacker's room again (by which time the clock will say 09:22), you will have to direct the cursor over to the door and activate it. The text Where do you wish to go? will now appear on the screen with four options under it:

1) Back to your office 2) Bernard's office 3) Sir Humphrey's office 4) The Cabinet office

The correct choice is 4, and once you have chosen it, the digitised picture of Fowlds will appear in the top-right corner of the screen as the text Bernard: Hello, Prime Minister. I'm afraid Sir Humphrey has just popped out. May we get down to the PRATS business right away. appears below it; once you've pressed Space (BBC Micro: Enter) to continue the conversation the digitised picture shall change to the one of Paul Eddington (1927-1995) as Hacker himself as the text Thinks: Yes, what on earth is PRATS?! Sounds like appears with three more options under it (and the correct one is 2):

1) a small fisheries company 2) some media types 3) a bad joke at my expense

If you choose either 1 or 3, the text of A nice try, but wrong. will appear on the screen; the conversation will now continue with Bernard: PRATS stands for Public Relations and Telecommunications Services. The Party Political Broadcast people., followed by Hacker: Ah, of course, I remember. We have a meeting with them arranged for next week., Bernard: Before giving them the election contract, don't you think the Party chairman might have a few thoughts on the matter?, and Hacker: Bernard, with three more options under it (and the correct answer is, for a second time, 2):

1) I am Party Leader and Prime Minister 2) I do have some experience in these things 3) I can decide. Besides, they make me look good on television

Once you have chosen 2, the text of Bernard: Yes, even 24 hours is a long time in politics. will appear on the screen, followed by Thinks: Anyway, I've privately offered them the contract already and Bernard: Sir Humphrey, you arrive at an opportune moment!; the digitised picture shall now change to the one of Sir Nigel Hawthorne (1929-2001) as Sir Humphrey Appleby as the text of Sir H.: Prime Minister, good news. I have the PRATS report you asked for some weeks ago. It confirms, if I may say so, my wisdom in seeking a second opinion. appears on the screen followed by:

Hacker: Good. That settles it then. Sir H.: Most certainly, Prime Minister. It's quite out of the question that Her Majesty's Government should be associated in any way with a front organization for the Soviet Union. Hacker: Good God! Bernard: Do I gather from your apparent apoplexy, Prime Minister, that you've already plumped for PRATS? Hacker: Well, yes, sort of. Sir H.: Ah! It's a standing joke in MI5 circles that PRATS really stands for "Pravda's TV Station"! Hacker: But, but...why have they been allowed to get away with this? Sir H.: Oh, they're perfectly legal, decent and honest. They're not spies or anything. Merely, shall we say, indifferent as to clients and far from persuaded of the West's claims to moral, political, strategic and diplomatic superiority over the East. Bernard: Well, Prime Minister, it appears you should 1) break off the contract immediately 2) go ahead with a meeting 3) resign

As tempted as some players may be to answer 3, the correct choice is once again 2, and once you have chosen it, the text Sir H.: Yes, Prime Minister. Such a course is less perverse than it appears. will appear on the screen, followed by Thinks: Oh good, that's a relief. I think., and Hacker: There are, I suppose, several grounds for going ahead with the meeting: with two more options under it (and the correct one is, for the fourth occasion, 2):

1) PRATS is perfectly legal. And of course they are remarkably talented at making me look good on television. 2) We know something about them and they don't know we know. We therefore have an advantage over them.

Once you have chosen 2 the text Bernard: Exactly Prime Minister! The advantage is slight, because the embarrassment remains considerable... will appear upon the screen, followed by Sir H.: ...but to employ a military expression, attack may prove to be the best form of defence., and then:

Hacker: But what do we do, Humphrey? They've got us over a barrel. We're up the creek without a paddle on a diet of soap and water and humble pie. Sir H.: Metaphorical exuberance is not the answer to the problem, Prime Minister. The thing is, not to panic. Hacker: Of course not, of course not. Bernard: How would you feel, Prime Minister, if Sir Humphrey were to be present at the meeting?

Once you have moved the cursor to the position on the graph you believe to be accurate and activated it, the following text will appear upon the screen:

Extract from "The Hacker I Knew: The Memoirs of Sir Bernard Woolley, p. 284

Hacker was faced with a Hobson's Choice; but in reality it was not the choice that might have been expected.

To have expressed great unhappiness about Sir Humphrey's proposed presence at the PRATS meeting would have been the easy option. After all, it was supposed to be a Party political matter and not a Government matter. In fact, the PM made the right decision. As Sir H. pointed out to him, in this case there was also a question of national security and so it was entirely proper that a Government adviser be present. And who better than Sir H.? Sir H.: So Prime Minister. We are at last agreed. But how should we handle PRATS? Hacker: 1) Tell them that I am breaking the Agreement 2) Persuade them to withdraw

The correct choice, is for a fifth time, 2, and once you have chosen it the text of Sir H.: That clarifies the issue: how can we make them break off the contract while at the same time not appearing to pressure them? will appear on the screen followed by Hacker: I suppose one way would be and:

1) show that working with me is more trouble than it's worth 2) ask them to abandon all their other political work

As tempting as it may be for some players to answer 2, the correct choice is 1, and once you have chosen it, the following text will appear on the screen:

Extract from "The Diaries of Sir Humphrey Appleby", April 2

I'm glad to record that the PM made the correct decision. PRATS must be allowed to convince themselves that they made the wrong decision and to show that life with Hacker is not worth the candle. Bernard: So, with great respect, sir, how do we show that working with the Prime Minister is, er, unpalatable? Sir H.: That should not be too difficult. Hacker: Humphrey! Sir H.: I mean no offence, Prime Minister. Merely that several fairly simple strategies present themselves. Bernard: I suppose the AA, BB, CC or DD techniques? Sir H.: Yes, all good in their own way. Thinks: AA? BB? CC? DD?? Bernard: Er, Civil Service shorthand, Prime Minister: arrogantly awful, brainlessly bad, commendably cunning, desperately dull. Hacker: Do you really refer to us like that? Thinks: 1) Yes 2) No 3) Only outside the office

The correct choice here is 3, and once you have chosen it the text Sir H.: Certainly not, Prime Minister! It is, ah, merely a device of approbation or disapprobation which combines economy and versatility. It may, for instance, shall we say and to give one example, be written at the bottom of a draft letter. will appear on the screen, followed by Thinks: So they DO use it of us! (which could technically be true in some scenarios) and then:

Sir H.: Let us review the situation. I shall accompany the Prime Minister to the meeting. We shall treat PRATS with civility. We shall behave as if we see no difficulties about the contract. We must nonetheless make them wish to renege on it. How do we do it? Hacker: I don't know, how do we do it? Sir H.: Think, Prime Minister, think. What do these creative, media types resent most? Hacker: Er, 1) too much interference 2) having to popularize a political view different from their own?

The correct choice is, again, 1, and once you have chosen it, the text Sir H.: Precisely, Prime Minister. will appear on the screen, followed by Hacker: Ah, you mean then, that we should and two final (at least, for this soon-to-finish conversation) options (and the correct choice is, for the sixth time, 2):

1) get MI5 on to them 2) suffocate them with standing orders

Once you have picked 2, the closing text of Sir H.: I couldn't have put it better myself! Tell them that the scripts of each of their broadcasts must be approved beforehand, by the Party Chairman, the Party Vice-Chairman, the PR committee of the Parliamentary Party, the PR committee of the Party conference. will appear on the screen, followed up with Bernard: No media person could stand it! You would have reduced them to the status of cameramen. And all because the Party demanded a say in running its own affairs..., and Sir H.: It has a certain neatness, yes. Thank goodness for Party democracy! Sometimes.; you will now have to choose 1 to return to Hacker's room, but if you choose 2, 3 or 4, the texts Bernard is at some meeting or other, Sir Humphrey has gone to the Cabinet office, and The Cabinet office is securely locked. shall get displayed on the screen.

Once the view has returned to Hacker's room, by which time the clock will say 11:32, you will have to wait until the clock says 12:00 (or direct the cursor down to it and activate it to fast-forward it to that time); once you have done it, the intercom shall start flashing again. Once you have directed the cursor over to the intercom and activated it the digitised picture of Fowlds as Woolley will reappear in the top-right corner of the screen as the text of Bernard: Sorry, Prime Minister. This physical assault business in the Commons has blown up. Could you come right over to the Cabinet office, to see the Chief Whip? appears below it - and once the view has returned to Hacker's room again, you must direct the cursor over to the door and activate it, then choose 4 in order to go back to the Cabinet office. Once you have done so the text of Chief Whip: Ah, Jim. Good of you to come so quickly. A true politician's instinct at moments of crisis! will appear on the screen, followed up by Bernard: Anyway, you've heard of the nasty little scene between the Leader of the Opposition and Hamish McTavish. Nearly came to blows, apparently. as the picture of Fowlds as Woolley reappears, and Chief Whip: Yes. Let's face it with two options under it (and as tempted as some players may be to answer 2 to this one, the correct choice is 1):

1) McTavish has all the volatility of his clan 2) the Opposition leader could probably benefit from a punch on the nose

Once you have chosen 1, the text No wonder we're losing ground in Scotland, McTavish has enough hot air to keep the Scots Dragoon Guards playing "Amazing Grace" for a month. will appear, followed up by Bernard: So what's to be done about it all? and Hacker: with two more options:

1) As little as possible: it'll all blow over 2) Don't ask me - it's the Chief Whip's responsibility

The correct choice is, for a fourth time, 1, and once you have chosen it, the text Bernard: Quite a sound instinct, Prime Minister. But is it sensible to surrender the initiative to the Opposition? They might make hay. Prime Minister, you can either shall appear on the screen with two more options:

1) give McTavish a good dressing down 2) write him a note of congratulations

If you choose 2, the text I beg your pardon, Prime Minister. Why should you want to do that? will appear on the screen, followed up by Hacker: with three more options under it (which shall not be relevant if you chose 1, and as tempted as some players may be to answer 1 or 2 the correct choice is 3):

1) Because Frank Smith needs taking down a peg or two 2) Because Westminster could do with some excitement 3) You're right: a silly thing to say

Once you choose 3, the text Chief Whip: Well, I do wish you'd make your mind up, Jim. will appear on the screen, followed by Bernard: A thought occurs to me, Prime Minister. If you were to write a note of congratulation, might that contravene a basic rule of the political game?, and then Hacker: Oh, yes., with two more options under it (and as tempted as some players might be to answer 1, the correct choice is, for the seventh time, 2):

1) By appearing to insult the Leader of Her Majesty's Opposition 2) By allowing a back-bencher to get ideas above his station

Once you have chosen 2, the text Bernard: That rather depends on what his station is, Prime Minister. will appear on the screen, followed by Chief Whip: Yes. Do you think McTavish considers himself (if you choose 1 here, the text Heaven help us, Jim. We're not that desperate. shall appear):

1) future Cabinet material: say, Secretary of State for Scotland 2) a future Knight of the Realm 3) a bit of a lad

Regardless of your choice, the text Bernard: But is there anything actually wrong in giving a few well-chosen words of encouragement to one's back-benchers? will then appear on the screen, followed with Hacker: As you say, it depends: with three more options under it (the correct one is 1):

1) there's nothing wrong: the shepherd has to keep the sheep fairly happy 2) not if it's McTavish 3) it might make them think they're important

Once you have chosen 1, the text of Chief Whip: True: but the words should indeed be "well-chosen": encouraging their legitimate (i.e. modest) ambitions (that keeps them loyal but avoiding any notion that they are God's gift to Party or Government. Stroke them with a firm hand, that's my advice. will appear on the screen, followed up by Bernard: Very well. But we still haven't resolved whether a note would and two more options:

1) swell McTavish's head 2) make him do it again

The correct choice is 2, and once you have chosen it, the text of Chief Whip: Yes, do we really want him to make a habit of this kind of thing? shall appear on the screen, followed by Thinks: with two more options under it (and as tempted as some players may be to answer 1, the correct choice is 2):

1) Why not? It's good fun 2) Of course not

Once you have chosen 2, the text Thank you. A sensible if predictable answer. shall be displayed on the screen, followed by Chief Whip: Let me put it as delicately as possible, Jim. McTavish is a buffoon, and anyone who encourages him is just as bad. followed by Thinks: with two last options:

1) Spoilsport 2) That doesn't say much for the Chief Whip, who's supposed to keep him under control

The correct choice is 2, and once you have chosen it, the text Exactly. Perhaps you should leave him to sort it out himself. Then tell him off for letting the situation arise in the first place. will appear on the screen, and you will then have to choose 1 to return to Hacker's room (but if you choose 3, to go to Sir Humphrey's office, the text Sir Humphrey is busy with some papers. shall appear); once the view has returned to Hacker's room (by which time the clock will say 14:32), you shall have to wait until the clock says 15:30 (or direct the cursor over to it and activate it to fast-forward it to that time), at which point the grey phone will start flashing. Once you have directed the cursor over to it and activated it, the digitised picture of Fowlds as Woolley will reappear in the top-right corner, as the text of Bernard: We await you in the Cabinet office, Prime Minister. appears below it - and, once the view has returned to Hacker's room again (by which time the clock will say 15:31), you will have to direct the cursor over to the door and activate it, then choose 4 to go back to the Cabinet office again. Once you have done so the digitised picture of Hawthorne as Appleby will reappear in the top-right corner as the text Sir H.: Ah, Prime Minister. Good of you to make it. appears under it followed by CEGB Head: Hello, Jim - good to see you. It's always good to see you.:

Thinks: Bob wants something, that's for sure! Hacker: Yes, let's proceed. What's on the agenda? Sir H.: Prime Minister, we may be facing a power deficit very shortly. Hacker: 1) But Humphrey, I'm as powerful as ever 2) Ah, you must be talking about electric power

The correct choice is 2, and once you have chosen it, the text CEGB Head: Certainly, Prime Minister, that's why I'm here. will appear on the screen:

Sir H.: Perhaps Sir Robert can flesh out the details. CEGB Head: Yes. We have been calculating the future power requirements of the nation using the latest analytical techniques. Assuming quadratic growth of a power demand by heavy industry and a continuation of linear growth in domestic demand, we find a deficit of around six or seven thousand Gigawatt hours by the end of the next decade. Hacker: I say, that sounds like a lot! Bernard: I say, that sounds like an awful lot! Sir H.: I say, that sounds as if you might like to translate it into plain English. Hacker: Humphrey, that's not like you. Bernard: Prime Minister, it's just that humble Civil Servants can't always tell a Giga from a Mega from a Woppa. Hacker: Simple, Bernard. A Gigawatt is 1) I don't see that it's my problem - that's a long time away 2) that's rather worrying

The correct choice is 2, and once you have chosen it, the text CEGB Head: Precisely. will appear on the screen followed by Hacker: So, what are our options, Bob?, CEGB Head: Well, I don't see that we have any, Hacker: Come on, Bob, there are always options. You're not playing the game. Why, I saw a very promising solar-powered yoghurt factory just last week. There ARE other ways of producing energy, surely?, and Bernard: Prime Minister, Humphrey and I have looked at the options and, even if Sir Robert won't say so, it seems that we have three choices. We can either with the three possible choices under it, and as tempted as certain players might be to choose either 1 or 2 here, the correct choice is actually 3:

1) question the assumptions governing future power 2) go ahead with the nuclear power option or 3) foster research into alternative energy sources

Once you have chosen 3, the text CEGB Head: But we need a solution now. shall appear on the screen, followed by Hacker: Well, that's what we're getting., CEGB Head: But, no, we can't wait for a decade to discover if solar-powered wave-driven windmills will work., Hacker: Why not?, and CEGB Head: Because it will take too long to get them running at full steam. Think of the alternatives. with four more options under it; if you select 3, the texts Hydro power! We'd have to flood half of Scotland!, Bernard: That might solve our Scottish problems., and Hacker: Bernard! appear:

1) Tidal bores 2) Windmills 3) Hydro-electricity 4) Solar power

Regardless of your choice, the text of Sir H.: So, Prime Minister, should we will then appear on the screen with two final (for this day) options under it:

1) fund more alternative research? 2) or not?

If you choose 2, the text of But, Prime Minister! shall appear, followed by Hacker: Humphrey, I thought you were against all this alternative stuff., Sir H.: Not at all, Prime Minister. I just think it needs to go through the relevant committee stages, that's all., and Hacker: OK, Humphrey, you win.; regardless of your choice, you shall then have to choose 1 to return to Hacker's room again (but if you choose 2 to go to Bernard's office, the text Bernard is VERY busy. will appear, and if you choose 3 to go to Sir Humphrey's office, the text Sir Humphrey is out for the rest of the day. will appear).

Once the view has returned to Hacker's room (by which time the clock will say 17:24) you will have to wait until the clock says 19:00 (or direct the cursor down to it and activate it to fast-forward it to that time), at which point the day will end and the menu for Day 3 will appear; you can now either press 1 to continue the game, 2 to save your position as described on the Walkthrough page (if you have a spare cassette or disk to save it to), 3 to toggle between fast and slow speech or 4 to start a new game (but you should, again, only do the last one if you do not believe you can survive for a week).

If you ever direct the cursor down to the left or right drawers of Hacker's desk and activate them on this day the notes inside them shall read as follows:

LEFT DRAWER Seems like a fairly free day, Prime Minister. 9.20 PRATS meeting. 3.30 CEGB meeting in the Cabinet office.

RIGHT DRAWER From "The Diaries of James Hacker - The Prime Ministerial Years", April 2 Can any day be accounted typical in the life of a Prime Minister? Today might: i.e. it started badly and continued worse. I remember when I was at the LSE I did a course on Logical Positivism. I wonder if Bernard has now cornered the market in Logical negativism? Silly of me, I'm forgetting about Sir Humphrey.