Quick! Hide the phones!
I worked for a company which was renting horrendously expensive premises in Covent Garden, because the boss thought having a prestigious address was more important than paying our wages. Anyway, it wasn't long before the landlord gave us a massive rent hike. My boss refused to pay, and we eventually had a visit from the bailiffs to make a list of everything they could take away from us. They were very kind and gave us half an hour's warning (or thereabouts). We rushed round the building, hiding everything of the slightest value (all the paintings off the wall, computers not in use ferreted away... we didn't get round to taking the carpets up, but if we'd had more time...).

When they came round (a tight-lipped woman and two of the biggest, burliest blokes I've ever seen, who looked like they could snap your spine just by glancing at you) there was little visible to list as assets. They sniffed, tutted and left. Not long afterwards, my boss paid up - pretending all the time to be unfazed by the experience (even though he'd made sure he was out when the bailiffs came, leaving his staff to deal with the heavies). I still wonder why we agreed to co-operate with him.

Some time after I left the company, I passed by the same office building. It's now a shoe shop. The company I worked for isn't even listed any more.
( Sonic the Hedgetrimmer doesn't care what you think, Fri 24 Nov 2006, 15:02, Reply)