the seminar

We were called to a meeting by A yesterday. A had invited some guys to come and hold a seminar with our project group, which he said to be held at one of our local branches’ office.

I arrived early to the local office where we were told to meet at 1.30 pm. The seminar guys were already there, so I offered them a cup of coffee before I showed them the meeting room. In the meeting room, 15 heads turned and looked at us as we walked in.

So sorry, I said, rather surprised, but we’re due to have a seminar here in 10 minutes?

I don’t think so, one of the men in the room said (unimpressed), we’ve booked this meeting room until 5 pm.

I apologized profusely both to the men in the room and the men who were with me. I phoned A. He didn’t answer. I phoned a receptionist and asked her if there were any other meeting rooms available anywhere. There wasn’t.

I greeted everybody who arrived one by one for our seminar, told them we had nowhere to sit and asked them to help themselves to a cup of coffee in the staff room whilst we waited for A. A arrived a little while later.

Why are you all in here? He asked when he found us all in the staff room.

I explained, and asked him if he’d not booked a room for the meeting?

Well, it’s not my fucking job to book a meeting room! He said angrily to me.

It’s your meeting. I pointed out. Who’s job is it to book the room then?

It bloody well isn’t mine! He repeated again.

I hear you, I said. But I asked you WHO’S job you presume it is if it isn’t yours?!

A didn’t answer, but made a sly remark to the others in the room that I wasn’t doing my job properly.

In the seminar (held in the staff room amongst staff having their tea breaks!), A got a few things muddled up when he was explaining the project to the group. Someone questioned him about it, and asked me:

Surely, ms Marple, this isn’t true?!

I knew I was treading on egg shells. A was not going to like being hung out in front of the whole group so I said something along the lines of

Well, perhaps not completely true…

The group started to aske me questions. I answered.

A picked up a pen, threw it at me and screamed, Bloody hell, ms Marple! You’re always a fucking step ahead of me, aren’t you?!

I smiled sweetly, shook my head and said

Perhaps it’s just the other way around, A? Perhaps you’re the one who’s always a step behind?