Strike or bolt?

Malcolm was newly elected shop steward at the engineering works. Union bosses were pleased to see him elected by such an emphatic margin. Company management was not! He was a firebrand. He was militant. He was a troublemaker!

A petty grievance prompted a meeting of workers. He climbed the aluminium steps outside to address the crowd, getting soaked in appalling weather.

He stabbed his umbrella in the air. The atmosphere was electric. The thunder was drowned out by the thunderous applause of the workers.

He called for a lightning strike. Shortly before the show of hands, his wish was granted...