:-) Beyond cheeky ...

Many years ago, James was sitting in the Savoy Grill, then a favourite place for business entertaining in London, waiting for a luncheon companion. At this time the best-known financier in London was Sir Charles Clore, the aptly-named inventor of the take-over bid, reviled and feared in more or less equal proportions.

James saw, also sitting waiting for a companion to show up, none other than the famous, or infamous, Mr Clore. Never one to waste an opportunity, James approached him.

"Mr Clore," he said, "You have no idea who I am. My name is James G. I am here today to give lunch to a man I very much like to impress. We will be sitting near to the door of the restaurant. Nothing will impress my guest more than your stopping at my table, as you leave, to tap me on the shoulder and say 'Hello, James, how are you?'. If you do this, it will help me enormously."

"Young man," replied Clore, "You are a cheeky young fellow. But I rather like cheek. I will do as you say. The best of luck to you."

In due course, all transpired as arranged. Charles Clore stopped at James's table and said his piece ... only to get the reply "Piss off, Charlie, can't you see I'm busy ..."