26 October, later...

The good news is:
All our experts agree
The bad news is:
All our experts agree that Dominique D's (OK, let's name him [if not shame him!]: Dominique DROUOT of 11, rue Desirée Briden, Troyes) work is rubbish. [Note: Rubbish here is a polite euphemism for a heap of #2's!]

This afternoon M. Beauvineau (for whom I couldn't hink of a nickname - perhaps he be "Mr Urban Warrior"? See later), showed up as part of a double act with M. Dufour, his partner in crime. [Tweedledee & Tweedledum would be unfair, as would any other comedy double acts I can think of; they were both really nice blokes.] Happily "Mr Urban Warrior" (or maybe "Parker"? See later) had read the maître d'œuvre/philosopher handbook and showed up in black combat pants, black military (paramilitary?) style jumper & salt-and-pepper van Dyke beard. Clearly and urban terrorist; but let's not use that work. Nihilism/anarchy are OK, guerilla just (maybe) the right side of borderline but not out-and-out terrorism (these days). I'm not sure why I'm thinking Tony Benn when it comes to his eyebrows...? But if it's a Tony who sticks to his principles, I'll take that as a good sign (rather than the other sort!). [Later I realise that he was actually the human incarnation of Parker from Thunderbirds, dressed for the 21st century!]

Sadly, M. Dufour had come as an accountant. What was he thinking of? Clearly he lets his mum buy his clothing - why else would he be wearing a stripy (work, not trendy) shirt & stripy (work, not pin-striped denim or elephant cord) suit pants? It turns out "Mr Urban Warrior"/"Parker" will be the one who will deal with us if we choose this double act, so that's OK; have got used to the ideal of philosopher-as-project manager by now.

Saw M. Lorin: unfortunately "Mr Asterix" was a no-show; perhaps he was off fighting the Romans with his partner in crime, who (through no fault of his own/genetic makeup) will have to be "Mr Obelix"! At least if he's let us down at this stage we're not going to waste any time considering him as a runner.

Nice to see M. Lorin who, despite our being absent, didn't steal our wallets/passports/mobile phones when he dropped off our walnuts earlier. [Note to selves: lock up the valuables rather than leaving them unattended and in the room closest to the road!]

I forgot to mention another thing: I could envisage seeing various project managers in England, talking about estimates, costs, building reg.s & planning etc. But I don't imagine we'd come across restaurant critics! The double act, just before they were leaving, proceded to give us a (fairly long!) list of 3 star restaurants in the area! So much more interesting that costs per 1000 of bricks