A Leopard Can’t Change its Spots, Episode 2

By Russell Korn

Having supplied that assurance, some two weeks later, a response to The Chameleon’s submission appeared on The Line. The Departmental Head’s position came in the form of a somewhat submissive request: “Can you help with our focus, by isolating the essential problems to address and the subsequent direction to take?” This was as music to The Chameleon’s ears and aligned perfectly with his intentions.

With said response in hand, The Chameleon paid a visit to his best friend ‘Bilby’, as The Chameleon called him, who headed up the department’s Environmental Branch. Bilby was a man of great commitment and integrity and could be much relied on for honest and reliable feedback. The Chameleon waited patiently while his friend read the submission and response, until a wry smile formed on Bilby’s face, with accompanying laughter. This brought forth an enquiry from The Chameleon as to the nature of his mirth. Bilby replied “I’ve just got to this part where the Departmental Head regards you to be gifted with innate and personal genius.” The Chameleon asked “What do you think of that comment?” Bilby replied “This guy has vastly underestimated you, hasn’t he?” His remark filled the room with much merriment.

The Chameleon decided to respond to the Departmental Head in a very personal way, which was meant for him only. Unfortunately, an administrative error led to the submission being posted on a departmental wide daily message board. This left The Chameleon exposed and vulnerable and wondering where the future would take him. Again, after considerable time, The Departmental Head responded to the latest submission, confessing that he saw The Chameleon’s focus as being wider and deeper way than anything he could comprehend. Nevertheless, the Departmental Head extended an invitation to The Chameleon to proactively engage with him in a meaningful way accompanied by an assurance that there had been no attempt to determine his identity. This was hardly grounds for The Chameleon to extend his trust considering the ‘anonymous’ investigation which had already taken place.