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Press, 22 August 1978, Page 21

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THE GREAT ESCAPE

An old axiom claims that truth is stranger than fiction. Doubtless a good debate on that claim could be held. Necessity is also alleged to be the mother of invention, which leads us to the plot of today’s great escape. As our story opens the escapee is deeply l sunk in his bed late on a Saturday morning. His wife awakens him demanding the sheets for washing. His presence at the breakfast table is requested, and comment is passed on his bloodshot eyes and hungover appearance. In his defence he pleads that he met some mates of years gone by, and was unable to escape a lubricated reunion. Shortly after, his wife catches him as he is quietly attempting to leave the house, bound for the hotel. He mumbles something about a reviver, and the hair of a dog She becomes almost abusive, and demands that some household chores, including the mowing of the lawns, be done.

Slowly and reluctantly he wheels out the" lawnmower, brings it to life, and at a leisurely pace attacks the back lawn under the eye of his wife. Next he advances to the other end of the house and starts on the front lawn. She hears the rising and falling note of the mower as it passes back and; forth across the frontage. Happy that she has got him to do some work, she goes out to peg out the washing. The mower engine can be heard running merrily from the front of the section, but shortly she becomes aware that it does not appear to be rising or falling noise or changing in location. She hurries to the front lawn, frowning, and discovers the mower stationary, unattended and running nicely. No doubt he will return to custody, but for the time being, the fugitive has escaped. A prospect here, however, of turning the man into a recidivist.