I'm a reasonably intelligent chap and an experienced drinker, who knows very well

[Sir C]

Oh, right. As I might have explained, I'm not actually firing on all cylinders this morning. Some moderation in your rather harsh tone would be appreciated.

Apologies. Do you not have an emergency flask in your desk from which you can take a soothing belt of cognac?

[Burney]

Apologies. Do you not have an emergency flask in your desk from which you can take a soothing belt of cognac?

People take a dim view of that sort of thing these days, I fear. I have to make do with the half-bottle of Teacher's I've got taped inside the cistern of trap one of the gents.