Daily Dialogue — January 9, 2016

STEWART MENZIES: Six minutes? Is that even possible?
ALAN TURING: No. It takes me eight. But this isn’t about crossword puzzles — it’s about how one approaches solving an impossible problem. Do you tackle the whole thing at once or divide it into small… You’ve finished?
JOAN CLARKE: Yes.
ALAN TURING: 5 minutes and 34 seconds.
JOAN CLARKE: You said to do it in under 6.

— The Imitation Game (2014), screenplay by Graham Moore, based on the book by Andrew Hodges

The Daily Dialogue theme for the week: Formulating a Plan, suggested by Lior Shemesh. Today’s suggestion by Menlinda.

Trivia: Winston Churchill stated that the Bletchley Park codebreakers made the single greatest contribution in Britain’s war effort.

Dialogue On Dialogue: Commentary by Melinda: “Presumably, Turing would have offered a lengthier explanation on the crossword puzzle’s purpose if Joan hadn’t finished so quickly. As is, the dialogue suffices — and is very naturally, stylishly abbreviated.”