The program director took a sip of tea and recalled the time when the show was lacking a collaboration partner. He had gone to the prospective partner's door and waited outside the conference room for over two hours, only to be dismissed with a breezy comment in the end.
Now that they see the show's prospects are good, they want to get involved?
No cutting in line! Not even a window will be open for that!
The program director sighed, lamenting, "I really can't help you cut in line. If word gets out, how am I supposed to face others? When people come to me, should I let them cut in line or not? If you cut in line, whose schedule should I push back to make room for you? I'd be offending quite a few people, you really shouldn't make this difficult for me."
No matter what the other party said, the program director maintained a tai chi master's tone—not offending anyone, nor granting any leeway.
...
