The subtle art of misdirection

T𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝘂𝗯𝘁𝗹𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗺𝗶𝘀𝗱𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝗼𝗿 ‘𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗱𝗿𝗼𝗽

 

'Tank, having miraculously penetrated Grump's ruse (well, at the very least, he has dropped a hint of a pint or two for Gus, the mechanic), he now has to create a screen of smoke across the daily route, to do the ‘double bluff’ on a presently unsuspecting Grump.A common and classic counter stratagem, a ‘léger de main’ or delusional sham (oh go on! Create your own list of similes), he sends out a decoy.

 

Through the mechanism of leaving behind in the Wytvern Boys yard, a psssst! In the ear of one of the company’s professional spillers of secrets. In this case, it is Arnold Grossmore, the 𝗔ccounting and 𝗥econciliation 𝗦pecialist, 𝗘xpenses, (A.R.S.E.).

 

If you take a look at Arnold’s ears (which are ideally situated to channel secretive information), you will see where the phrase, ‘Hear All, See all, Say Everything’ comes from.

 

Making it absolutely 100% certain that today's actual destination that they were heading for, never reached the ears of the 'head in the middle of the ears,' namely Grump! This ensures that, like a missile of the Exocet kind, it would hit that excluded mark exactly, without the aid of a guided satellite system. Immediately diverting Grump's initial search efforts.It would appear that a simple diversion, a strategic blockading manoeuvre, is employed.

 

Where in the example of a chess piece occupying a square, (Tank in the van), seeks to anticipate a pawn's move, (for ‘pawn’ read Grump), advance. Thus forcing the opponent to choose a different plan, which can be particularly effective in controlling space and gaining an advantage, according to the rules of chess warfare. It is a ‘force majeure!’ Dick Dastardly could not have executed a steeper and more effective turn.

 

That is basically a complex way of saying that Tank decides to” stick tracker on an unsuspecting German lorry and leave it to its own devices!” Squashy is dispatched to carry out the ‘Schmutzige Tat‘ and voila, (so many languages in one sentence?).The deed complete, they waved a cheery goodbye to Klaus and his Lorry, and celebrated with a nice creamy ice-cream. After all, they deserved it? Note bene: When ice cream is being shared out, Tank is always able to demonstrate his superiority - the evidence is in the cones!For every action there is a reaction. Sometimes good, sometimes not so good. ‚Hubris‘ is not the name of a 1930s public school boy in this situation, but a condition that applies to someone who says before they think, with an unbridled sense of self-confidence that does not always fit the moment.

𝗚𝗼𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗮𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗲𝘀?‘