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Pamela
I notice that this author inserts references to classic works (i.e. in this book there are some to Shakespeare, as well as to theatrical acting). But in this scene he is referencing the 1960 movie Spartacus. Here in the book, bad actors are looking for Shirley Dander. One of the other patients falsely identifies herself as Shirley and then one says "I am Spartacus". In the Spartacus film some evil soldiers are looking to crucify the leader of a group of rebellious slaves and threaten to kill them all if they don't identify him but all of them start shouting, "I am Spartacus" to confuse the soldiers and as a sign of solidarity. Thus in this book, both of Shirley's co-inmates are showing courage and signifying that they are on her side and ready to do battle as though they are her, the accused one, even though the odds are against them.
Charles Phillips
In the movie Spartacus, the slaves are fighting Rome and the Roman Army. They are eventually defeated and a lot of the slave army are captured. The Romans want to make an example of the leader, Spartacus, and ask who is Spartacus? The slave army is so devoted to their leader that many of them stand up and claim to be Spartacus.
In Bad Actors, if the guy who said "I am Spartcus" had been River Cartwright, Shirley Dander would have said something. Also, the earlier description of the "twitcher" said that he had thinning blond hair and a goatee - he is the one who said that he was Spartacus (page 284 in the hardback version). I think what he said was to tell us that the twitcher had some serious cognitive problems.
In Bad Actors, if the guy who said "I am Spartcus" had been River Cartwright, Shirley Dander would have said something. Also, the earlier description of the "twitcher" said that he had thinning blond hair and a goatee - he is the one who said that he was Spartacus (page 284 in the hardback version). I think what he said was to tell us that the twitcher had some serious cognitive problems.
Charles
No. Shirley would have recognized him and made a smart remark. She's not known for her 'impulse control'.
If I had to guess, he's a character from one of the novellas set in the Slow Horses universe? I have not read any of them.
If I had to guess, he's a character from one of the novellas set in the Slow Horses universe? I have not read any of them.
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