A friendly game of Mornington Crescent

But that error puts this in play:

Crouch End

I still have one terminus option left. May as well use it….. Heathrow Terminal 4

Uggh. I feel like such an idiot. At least my fumble might make it into Ms Marypop’s Floppiest Flops

Feel like all I’ve got is to limp in with the Vicar’s Last Chance:

Debden

Don’t feel too badly. Even before the 1978 St. Pancras Misstep, back when play was still called out verbally to a central plotter, Grandmaster level players like Stolle or Whitmore would occasionally default. Stolle in the 1948 London semifinals famously called out “Cannon” as he sneezed. The plotter, acting as he thought best, moved the indicator to Cannon Street. His opponent, Norton, immediately called “Arsenal”. The plotter had already moved the indicator when Stolle jumped out of his seat and approached the judge’s box to complain that he intended “Canon’s Park”. As play had already proceeded, the judges ruled Stolle defaulted and Cannon Street stood as the official move. (Stolle, unshaken, went on to defeat Norton twelve moves later and eventually won the tournament that year).

As Debden is on the central line, play is back to me. Therefore……..Leytonstone

One does feel a little icky continuing after such a calamitous misfortune. A warning for all and a searing memory for a self-proclaimed newbie.

But if the caravan moves on, que sera sera. With play on the central line then Hainault with the bonus of trousering a significant stash of red tokens.

Norton was never the same after that incident; he lost his
job, his marriage broke down and he took his own life 2 years
later aged just 56. Very sad. Let’s hope this current situation
has a happier ending.

Anyway …

Grange Hill

I am modeling my career on the great Hobbins, and I’m determined to avoid Norton’s downfall.

High Street Kensington

What goes around comes around: South Kensington

And indeed around. There is a temptation to take the minimalist option of Sloan Square or even Hammersmith, but in these fraught times a safer option is to collect my quota of gold tokens and jolley out to Acton Town

Three possible moves. Hmmm…..London Bridge. Also, I’m declaring Nibs.

It has to be noted that Norton’s troubles went deeper than his “misplay” in 1978. He had been called out thrice before, in 1976 at the Shropshire Regional, in 1974 at the York Grandmaster, and (most infamously) at his debut at the Melbourne International in 1967. Each time he claimed he had sneezed, leading to a brief mandatory Benozil injection before professional matches. Thankfully, that ended after too many plays were followed up by a three hour nap.

Limehouse

And IIRC, Hobbins’ generosity of spirit towards Norton in '76 prompted the creation of the Hobmedal, since awarded each year to the most gracious tournament player.

Can’t get off this line fast enough to suit me. Stratford. Please someone take us away.

Ok, I’ll make it easy…
Colindale

MC in 3, if I’m very much mistaken.

Methinks not unless Nibs is revoked.

Croxley

According to Bassington-Bassington’s 2001 memoirs, That Pleasant Morning, A Life Lived on the Northern Line, Nibs cannot be revoked until all tokens have been collected by the third player whose birthday is in an odd month.

The rules of this game are quite simple, people.

Euston

Said the gentleman who just attempted before our very eyes to switch directly from the Met to a Northern Victoria line on a day of the week (Friday) with two syllables. Oh, the irony. Next I suppose you’re going to tell us you’d ‘forgotten’ about Sections 2 through 4 of the 2019 Pryce Amendments. In any case, that leaves Harrow (note the double consonants) wide open.

Pryce herself has said on many occasions that Sections 2 - 7 should have never been written. She has been caught at least seven times since, vandalizing copies of her Amendments at various libraries and bookstores. I’ve personally seen her go for the throat of one player at the 2021 Timsbury Regionals. (During Lockdown, no less!)

I have forgotten nothing. I just fear the wrath of Pryce.

Seeing as how you did not differentiate between Harrow & Wealdstone and Harrow-on-the-Hill, I’ll just claim your tokens, thank you.

Preston Road

Curse you Maus_Magill! You might be able get away with a sophomore move like that this time, but the next moment anyone puts us beyond zone 4 you already KNOW what’s going to happen!….

…Pryce?