Order Only: Selwyn is absolutely furious

[alt_bill]

Rittenhouse, formerly with the Department of Education and Public Information (until he got sacked this morning) is no doubt extremely sorry that he decided to take two days off for the holiday. That was right about when that reporter at the Prophet was checking with the Ministry for responsive comment before running their article on the epidemic. I'm absolutely amazed it got printed at all, but apparently some brave soul over at the Prophet took advantage of light holiday staffing over there to sneak the report past their editorial gatekeepers.

It's a public relations disaster. Lots of closed door meetings as Selwyn and his staff are scrambling to figure out what to do next. The first impulse was obviously to deny everything (see Warrington's quote, for example). But I've seen the St Mungo's reports, and they can't get away with that much longer. I heard a hint from Tanisby that Selwyn's toying with the idea of declaring he's going to open an investigation, and then he'll use that as an excuse to clean house.

Dad, what have you heard over at Muggle Domestication?

Comments

[alt_arthur]

Spencer-Wells is also bloody livid, and looking for others to blame, too. Whitby and Thatcher got sacked this morning. That was daft; they had nothing to do with anything. Fletcher and Kirke are combing through files of incoming and outgoing memos between the department, the camps, and St Mungo's, looking for any possible source for the leaks.

I'm staying out of the way, and counting myself fortunate that there's certainly nothing they can pin on me for once.

[alt_molly]

Having nothing to do with what happened didn't protect Whitby and Thatcher, apparently.

Are you sure you'll be all right, Arthur?

[alt_arthur]

Quite sure, Molly, as far as Spencer-Wells is concerned. Not my department, of course, which helps.

But I'll admit Nott's turning over his own rocks, too, here in Purity Control.

[alt_bill]

I can help you lose documents if necessary, Dad. Or for that matter, plant 'em somewhere if you need 'em, to protect your back.

[alt_arthur]

Yes, I'll certainly keep that in mind, son. Thank you.

[alt_kingsley]

Fletcher? Since when is Dung working for the Ministry?

[alt_arthur]

No, no. Artemis Fletcher. Distant cousin.

Same lack of personal hygiene, though.