George Stobbart would almost certainly make the situation worse before it gets better. If Khan is already holding someone at gunpoint and with a sword involved, constant jokes would be a risky attempt to distract him, and it could either buy a tiny opening or trigger a faster, more violent reaction.

Likely outcome

  • Khan would probably stay focused on the threat unless the jokes were unusually effective at breaking his concentration.
  • The most realistic effect is that George irritates him, which raises the odds of panic, aggression, or a sudden move.
  • If Beng is the hostage in the middle of it, the safest interpretation is that the scene becomes more dangerous, not less.

Story logic

In a Broken Sword-style scene, George often uses humor under pressure, but against a serious armed antagonist like Khan, jokes are more of a gamble than a plan.

That kind of banter can work as misdirection in fiction, but only if the villain is the type to hesitate, mock back, or get emotionally rattled.

Best-case and worst-case

  • Best case: Khan is briefly distracted, giving George a chance to talk him down or create an escape opening.
  • Worst case: Khan decides the jokes are disrespectful and acts immediately, putting Beng in greater danger.
  • Most likely case: tension rises, nobody fully controls the moment, and George has to switch from humor to damage control.

In short, nonstop joking during a gunpoint stand-off would be a high-risk move that might create a split-second advantage, but more likely just escalates the threat.