It might actually make sense to run a *old* version of
Linux.  I can't
 remember when it got PCMCIA support (networking was around June of '92 as 
I
  recall).  I do remember getting a PCMCIA SCSI card
(and maybe modem) 
working
  in '95 or '96 under Linux. 
FreeBSD and Linux both will fit on a floppy, no problem. Check out
"picoBSD". However, python? Not even a remote chance. Way too big.