So it was with this ‘festive’ spirit that I ducked into the Captain’s Bar in search of a tipple and a quiet corner to relieve my frayed nerves.
While there I overheard a conversation with some poor unfortunate who obviously works on an ECM desk. He was droning on about how difficult it had been to plan a party for his staff, even with Christmas around the corner.
This was because with jumbo IPOs coming along like buses (that usually means in threes, for those of you unfamiliar with buses), he’s been working all hours in December while the rest of the bank winds down for Christmas.
Nonetheless, he was determined to reward his team with a big, boozy bash, which is how he ended up at the bar. Unfortunately for him, a client rang demanding to know where the latest deal had priced and what his allocations were. But the banker had obviously had more drink than was sensible.
“I can’t help you right now,” came the reply. “My staff would know that but I’m afraid they’re all at the bar, drunk. They won’t be back at the office today.”
“And to be perfectly honest, I’m pretty drunk myself.”
Ah, the holidays. Merry Christmas and see you in 2015.