Sublime

A viable theory is the Peter Principle: “In a hierarchy, every employee tends to rise to his level of incompetence (the cream rises until it sours).” Peter’s corollary: “In time every post tends to be occupied by an employee who is incompetent to carry out its duties.” From The Peter Principle by Peter and Hull. New York: Morrow; 1969.

Edward VII ruled the British Empire with a slightly pudgy cigar-stained hand, assuring his subjects that duty was important but so too was fun. “It doesn’t matter what you do,” he said, “so long as you don’t frighten the horses.”

The minimum-effort Loser Stanley tells him coldly, “this here is a run-out-the-clock situation.” The line could apply to Stanley’s entire life. Stanley’s response shows both his intelligence and clear-eyed self-awareness of his Loser bargain with the company.

At PSG everything is equal, except for parking spaces – there I get first choice!

Fortunately the shows were well received, but even in the theatre ineptitude ruled. During one performance, a loud bell started ringing at regular junctures, which distracted the audience badly. At the interval, Humphrey, who had taken over as stage manager, since we could find no one else in New Zealand who was up to the task, raced round to the f