NewsBiscuit

A 27 year-old science-fiction fan has made socio-political history by being the first unmarried man to concur with his girlfriend that his collection of action figures and limited edition figurines are in fact just ’stupid toys’.

Nigel Shortland, a Bristol-based I.T. support co-ordinator, first entered this long-running debate after taking his girlfriend Tracy Ball, 25, to the annual sci-fi memorabilia fair at Birmingham’s NEC. ‘When she returned from the burger stall she was less than impressed to find I’d spent forty quid on Battlestar Galactica original series action figure,’ he recalls. ‘The fact that it was a Commander Adama in purple robes instead of the usual blue didn’t seem to cut much ice with her at all.’

The argument, which has raged across thousands of households in recent years, stepped up a gear when Nigel and Tracy bought a house together. ‘I tried to meet her half-way by agreeing that a shared one-bedroom terrace is no place for mint condition collectables, so I agreed to keep them in my mum’s garage. But would she leave me some space for my Doctor Who DVDs in amongst her Sandra Bullock collection? Would she buggery!’

For the sake of his relationship Nigel has admitted defeat and has sold his collection on eBay, making quite a handsome profit. Unfortunately this extra windfall of spending money has heralded the opening salvo in another, long-simmering, argument – the great ‘this season’s must-have accessories’ vs. ‘haven’t you got enough bloody handbags as it is?’ debate.

Miss Ball has also earned Nigel’s ire by refusing to cut down on her own collection of ‘toys’. ‘I flog my replica lightsabre for her, but I’m still kipping on the sofa while she’s upstairs running down the batteries on her rampant rabbit,’ he complains. ‘But at least I’m getting the last laugh – when she tries to sell her favourite toy for a bigger version she’ll be in for a shock. Taking it out of it’s original packaging – big mistake.’

Posted: Nov 27th, 2009 by jp1885