Bahrain: Early morning scene on an airport transfer bus:
Friend (optimistic): Excuse me, do I know you?
MP (puzzled): I don’t know!
Friend: Are you in the insurance business?
MP (wearily): No, sorry.
Friend (determined): you look familiar though, are you sure you are not in insurance?
Me (noticing the awkward situation): what the f?
MP (resigned): I am positive
Friend (getting warmed up to the challenge): are you famous?
MP (embarrassed): Well, not in these parts
Me (showing off): Mr Portillo, excuse my friend, he is tired
Friend (puzzled): Who is Mr Portillo?
Me (cocky): This is Michael Portillo ex British cabinet minister
Friend (doubtful): Are you really?
MP (in denial): Yes, I was in politics but not any more
Friend (suspicious): how come I recognised you then?
Me (borderline arrogant): Because he now works in television making documentaries and such like, excuse us Mr Portillo
MP (relieved): That’s okay
Friend (triumphant): Oh I remember you now; you must have been on television!
We arrived at the terminal and Michael Portillo was very relieved to get a chance to escape the unwanted attentions of a couple of sticky travellers.
