Soupgate

Soupgate is arguably the most important aspect in the creation of the Workplace, in that it sparked the flame that led to the creation of characters such as The Quipster, Doctor Redpill, and Silas Ranchworthy.

## The incident

Soupgate occurred in November 2021, with ground zero being the now destroyed "main character table" in the Bluecoat School Common Room. It occurred after The Quipster made a humorous, light remark towards a female co-worker regarding her Tomato-flavoured Cup-a-soup, insinuating that he would spike it. This caused an outrage amongst the group commonly referred to as the "Undesirables," a group of particularly loud, smelly and intolerant individuals, that have special abilities, i.e., sucking the fun and joy out of every room. After the school day is done, the undesirables retreat down into the basement, where they sleep in their own private "echo chambers."

With the help of Silas Ranchworthy, the Undesirables were able to condemn the Quipster, bringing about his secretive and sordid past to the surface. As a result, the Quipster was brought to the Bluecoat high courts, to answer for his banterous crimes. Forced to write a witness statement regarding the incident (Written in shit and blood [not his own {CB's}]), the Quipster was able to escape defeat using his surprising knowledge of the legal system of Bluecoat.

Exert from the witness statement: "I was clearly joking i.e., having a laugh, as the viscosity of the soup would render the notion that I would spike it ridiculous."

The Quipster was able to use ancient Bluecoat law, from the dragon scroll (its blank [spring roll from the chippy]), which details how the law deals with soup-related incidents. Thankfully for the Quipster, Bluecoat law is surprisingly lenient on soup-related incidents, particularly if the perpetrator in question is a part-time comedian/lawyer/magician/hypnotist/serial killer/writer. As such, the Quipster was able to get away with just a short sentence.

## The Punishment

While in prison, the Quipster suffered terrible torment. Forced to spend much time in solitary confinement, the Quipster's mental health rapidly spiralled out of control. Schizophrenia, hallucinations and general insanity ensued, much to the shock and horror of the orderly, nicknamed "Shippy," whom the Quipster formed a friendly bond with (nothing sexual), and the Warden. The Quipster kept himself busy studying Tudor history, particularly rebellions in the time of Henry VII. His only other form of entertainment was watching Fight Club 1999 and The Batman 2022 over and over, and worst of all, listening to The Smiths. With the help of Shippy, the Quipster was able to escape prison early, and ran off into the night.

However, the Quipster's main punishment occurred after escaping. Quipster found himself extradited from social affairs, i.e., parties and other social gatherings. He was scorned at by the Undesirables, whom in the Quipster's absence had taken over the common room completely, moulding it into their own ginormous "echo chamber," despite the best efforts of new friend, Doctor Redpill to upkeep some semblance of witty banter and crafty antics, which had been outlawed in favour of political satire, woke "comedy", and Marvel movies. All hope seemed lost, if not for a wacky idea. THE QUIPSTER GOT A WONDERFUL, AWFUL IDEA!!!

## The Resolution of Soupgate and Inception of the Workplace

The Quipster and Doctor Redpill learned a painful, significant lesson from this ordeal. Free speech had been banned in the common room, a barren wasteland of tasteless art, and off-white paint. They were not able to poke fun of their co-workers, for fear of execution or exile to prison again. As a result, they needed a cover to do this: the workplace. By giving nicknames to the various curious, peculiar and downright autistic creatures in the common room, and creating a fictional fictional fictional comedy series, The Quipster, Doctor Redpill and the rest of the "Hounds" (Of Banterville [podcast]) could make fun of, discuss, and plot against whomever they wanted with no fear of retribution! And thus, the Workplace was born, in its very early stages. Over time, it would regress more and more, with various spin-off shows, movies and stage plays until it reached what it is today. And the Banter Brigade has been able to make fun of whomever they wanted.

When asked to comment on this event, and its effects on the Workplace, the Quipster only had this to say:

"Needless to say, I had the last laugh."