Sherlock Holmes (ACD): Watson's Difficulty

[smallhobbit]

Title: Watson's Difficulty
Fandom: Sherlock Holmes (ACD)
Rating: G
Also written for holmes_minor Monthly Challenge 'Talk'

"Holmes, I really don’t see how this will work.  These people you want me to hold a sufficiently interesting conversation with so they take no notice of whatever you are doing aren’t my sort of people.  What am I supposed to talk about?”

“I don’t know why you’re complaining Watson.  I’ve never known you and Lestrade fail to find something of interest, so much so that on more than one occasion I’ve had to remind you we are on a case.”

“But that’s different.  We discuss sport for a start.  There will be ladies present.”

“Aren’t ladies interested in sport?”

“Some are, but as a rule it’s only a few, and they are interested in a particular sport, not sport in general.”

“Well, follow your normal procedure and flatter them.  I believe that can work very well.”

“I’ve never noticed it when you’ve tried to flatter Mrs Hudson.  Generally it has the opposite effect.”

“Mrs Hudson is a special case.  With her the best way is to offer another bottle of gin.  I suppose you could try that.”

“There will be waiters bringing drinks round, even if they drank gin, which they probably won’t.”

“I’m sure you’ll find something.”

“Hmph!”