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“Just brainstorming new ideas. Like you said, I’m not sure where it might take us.”
“Mr Waffle?” says MaxChaos.
“Call me Barmy, not Mr Waffle! My name’s Emmett Williams, but just call me Barmy, I’m used to it, and it makes life easier for everyone.”
“Yes, Barmy, can I take a closer look at that crossbow?”
“Sure. But first you have to understand the etiquette, the ‘Safe Handling Rules’. When I pass a weapon to you, and later when you pass it back to me there’s a procedure. I’m not a marine, but we’ve all had this drummed into us. I point it at the ground and I pass it holding the stock. You keep it pointing at the ground and you take hold of it by the stock.”
“The general weapon safety rules are …”
- Treat every weapon as if it’s loaded.
- Never point a weapon at anyone unless you intend to kill them.
- Keep your finger off the trigger unless you’re ready to fire.
- Be sure of your target and what’s beyond it.
“Tom’s an ex marine. Tom, what does the instructor always say?”
TomTom does his best imitation of a stern instructor, “you do not pass a weapon unless it’s proven clear, action at rest, arrow track checked. You show it’s clear, you say it’s clear, you get confirmation it’s clear. You follow the rules, or you’re out of the Garrison.”
MaxChaos nods.
BarmyWaffle picks up the crossbow, and shows it to MaxChaos, “this action is at rest, this arrow track is clear, now I say ‘weapon clear’ and you can take hold of the stock. I won’t release my grip until I know that you’re holding it firmly and I’ve heard you say ‘seen clear’, understood?”
“Got it. One hundred percent.”
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