Signal box men Ignatius and Mr O discuss the dangers that can arise when Christmas shopping.
Scripted by Myles na gCopaleen (the pen name of Brian O'Nolan, also known as Flann O'Brien), Jimmy O'Dea is 'Signalman' a railway worker whose duties leave an abundance of time for speculation on life in general.
David Kelly plays his deferential workmate Ignatius, whose equally light duties allow him to brew the tea that keeps the chat going. He manages to maintain an air of respectful incredulity while listening to the meandering thoughts and unorthodox theories of his superior.
As Christmas approaches, the conversation turns to to the perils and pitfalls of Christmas shopping.
The two railway workers cannot understand how anyone endures shopping at this time of year.
The crush. The crush of the people shopping.
A worst case scenario is recounted by Ignatius who brought his cousin to the crowded streets of Dublin on a shopping expedition.
I lost him, never seen again.
There are also accounts of children becoming separated from their parents at this time of year,
I’m told the Guards barracks is choked full of mislaid chislers.
The pair are grateful for the peace and quiet of their workplace, as Christmas shopping only has one outcome,
It’s designed to shatter the nervous system.
This episode of 'O’Dea’s Your Man: Hullaballoons’ was broadcast on 22 December 1963. The producer is James Plunkett.
