Alex Masterley of Megabank had the honour of being invited to open the London Stock Exchange today, January 30th, to celebrate his 25 years of working in the City (though he is playing down this latter fact as he thinks that looking too long in the tooth will affect his job mobility). A tree on the railway track in Kent delayed his commute in this morning and he was deeply upset that the Stock Market refused to put back their opening hours to accommodate him. A frantic taxi dash from Cannon Street saw him arrive with seconds to spare, sweep up the stairs and place the ceremonial plastic block to formally open the market. Somewhat to his disappointment the predicted (by him) feelgood surge in stock prices failed to materialise (market up a measly 10 points at the time of writing). He found time for a quick champagne breakfast with a few of his City cronies in the VIP room at the LSE before hurrying back to his office to sell off his long position. Interviewed before he left he said: "Obviously it's a great honour to be asked to open London's historic Stock Exchange and I found it hard to believe it was me up there doing it. It should have been the CEO of one of my blasted client companies, listing his business and making me some decent fees in the process. I don't know where my next skiing holiday is coming from."
Alex's next public appearance will be to host the Alex City Quiz at the LSE on February 26th. Further details and tickets are available from
www.alexcartoon.com