I have a bit of a formal business meeting today. You know, with people I don’t see that often over money matters that may be in minor dispute? That kind of thing. Formal, business-like, structured. Polite. Some decorum is required.

But, as it turns out, my leg burn hasn’t healed and I can’t wear pants yet. So I was thinking I may have to hold the meeting in my pajamas. They are more comfortable on the burn. Logical, perhaps, but just a smidge weird, don’t you think? It is much harder to create an air of respect and formality when limping around in your pajamas. Grimacing and shrieking from a sore back every few minutes doesn’t help either. Puts people off.

Well, I have found that in the past, anyway.

I usually reserve my pajamas for entertaining people with whom I am close, ya know? I was thinking of trying to escalate the level of intimacy when they arrived so as to allow for such casual wear but pushing familiarity while in your pajamas can go horribly wrong if not done perfectly. I don’t seem to have ever pulled it off successfully, if you’ll pardon the expression. My alternative to pajama pants is underwear. That, too, is loaded with danger, if you know what I mean (nudge, nudge). Sally vetoed that (and would have vetoed the joke, too, but I didn’t show her).

We compromised on long shorts. I will conduct this meeting in long shorts. It will be punctuated with brief grunts, grimaces and groans. I may employ a hot water bottle. I am probably setting my career back a long way but the show must go on! Where I come from, we call this ‘professionalism’.

Try to picture it.

I just hope it is appreciated.