Re: OOC #3
I love the bits about handling obnoxious journalists!
Reminds me of a fellow my father - who was a senior civil servant - did not get along with. His name was Clive Betts. We delighted in winding him up.
One time he called asking for my father, who was expected that he might so asked me to answer the phone. I picked it up and said "Oh, Mr Betts. How nice to hear from you. I've just got home from university for the weekend. I cannot see my father at the moment, but I'll let him know you called when I see him."
Absolutely true. I couldn't see him on account of I had turned my back on him. He was laughing so hard he had to go and sit down.
Another time, my father had gone out when there was some story or another breaking, and warned me that Betts might call. He did.
"Hello, Mr Betts. My father's out at the moment but he thought you might call, so he left a note for you. Is your tape recorder on?"
Then I read out, slowly and clearly, the press release that my father's office had already issued on the matter!
Final tale: at the Eisteddfod (Welsh arts festival) he was staying in the same hotel as us, when my birthday came round. The hotel had made a cake and delivered it just as he came wandering past. So I called for an extra plate and fork, and invited him to have a slice! Poor guy nearly exploded trying to make nice.