The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin1976

C.J.:
But I wonder if you all would like to hear an extract from my novel on - ants!

Elizabeth Perrin:
Novel!

Reginald Perrin:
Ants!

C.J.:
I know what you're going to say...

Perrin's Staff Members:
[all speaking together] You didn't get where you are today by writing a novel about ants!

C.J.:
Exactly, but it's never too late for a leopard to change horses in mid-stream.

Reginald Perrin:
What is your novel called, C.J.?

C.J.:
I haven't decided between Watership Anthill, Plague Ants, Lord of the Ants, Ants of the Flies, Charley's Ant or No Sex Please, We're Ants.

Reginald Perrin:
Yes, I can see the difficulty, C.J. Tricky choice, tricky choice! It would be too much bother for you to go and get the book.

C.J.:
[Pulls manuscript from his pocket] I just happen to have an extract here with me.

Reginald Perrin:
Oh, dear.

C.J.:
[reading] "The owl led Thrugwash Blunt through the forest and then suddenly without any warning-"