"Words of Wisdom" (Short Affair Challenge 8/28)

[rose-of-pollux.livejournal.com]

Short Affair 8/28
Prompt: Bottle
Color: Orange

Title: Words of Wisdom
Author: Rose of Pollux
Word Count: ~1000

Summary: Post-series, takes place in 1973, after Napoleon and Illya’s (eventually temporary) retirement from U.N.C.L.E. Napoleon decides to give some words of wisdom to some unknown recipient via a message in a bottle. Illya just watches in fascination.

Notes: The Hustle ref at the end is courtesy of Robert’s headcanon that Napoleon and Albert are the same person.

Gen version is available at my DreamWidth

Comments

[meneleth.livejournal.com]

Alas, the background for your reference at the end was lost on me, but that did not dim my enjoyment of your story. I attempted several years ago to get a Message in a Bottle group going among some friends here but it never took off. Napoleon's letter would have fit right in!

[rose-of-pollux.livejournal.com]

Glad you enjoyed the fic! The end scene was a character from the UK series Hustle finding Napoleon's message--this character eventually becomes the protégé of another one of the characters, Albert Stroller, who was played by Robert Vaughn--and Robert was the one who came up with the idea that "Albert" was really an older Napoleon. It's an idea that others have also adopted as a headcanon, too. :)

Aww, sorry your group didn't take off...