Dear Editor,
Who is Bill Cotton people, keep asking me. Why me? How would I know? He is/was a BBC senior executive, son of a bandleader. I purloined his names and several years later told him about it. His face was blank. The Reform bit I leave to your Guyanese recent historical knowledge. The highlight of Bill’s sojourn so far a big hug from Irfaan. We have never spoken but as his caravan of men with badges went past – some of the courtiers forced to walk backwards – he broke out and gave me a big hug to thank me for his copy of OIL DORADO (in Guyana’s only bookstore, Austin’s as you ask). Seems a nice boy, will go far.
Trust is a funny thing. I left copies of the book on tables in the conference hall with an honesty note attached. Three got nicked! No comment. I also will name and shame the four upright Guyanese citizens who have a copy but have not yet paid for them. Excuses legion. ‘No cash’ like the Queen. ‘My driver has the money in the veh-ic-le.’ Cough up or be pilloried. What is the collective known for a bevy of former ambassadors, some looking for work? Bill has met at least two at the conference. Plus the delightful Elisabeth Harper and her boss, Hugh Todd. She and I used to have much fun when she was posted to London. Our central task to circumvent the long serving and not very good Guyanese HC at the time.
Bill likes a good party. He has been to plenty this week. Time for some Oscars. The all-time booby prized goes to the GTT cocktail at the Palm Court. First the jobsworth who tried to stop me going in. Wasting his and my time and then the ‘panel discussion’ at a drinks do. Stoopid or what? People kept on drinking and talking. They tried to close the bar. People kept on drinking and talking. Demote the organiser. Second booby prize to CNOOC. Their poolside drinks do at the former Premier Inn had one fatal flaw. They ran out of drinks! The bunfight at the bar that is always the case at these events became an angry one. Bill had a couple of cokes, made his excuses and left. Demote the organiser.
Where was the owner of the Peg-a-Sus at this do? He must feel like the ugly sister to the Marriott Cinderella at this international ball this week. Next Time, Robert. But promote the organiser of the ExxonMobil do at the Marriott Poolside. On a clear day you can see the mud of the Georgetown foreshore from there. Plenty alcohol, nice finger food. A joy to be there. Bill left merry. It is a tough life being a social gadfly in these heady days. Life away from the media pen. I will persevere on your behalf. Somebody has to do it.
Pip! Pip!
Sincerely,
John ‘Bill Cotton/Reform’ Mair
