Mephisto discusses Kofie Annan with Faust

Mephisto : Faust, my dear friend, you know I went to see Mr Annan, our esteemed nobleman the other day?

Faust : Yes, and you didn't invite me along either which, I felt, was terribly rude of you.

M : Now, now Faust, come, come, your passport was more than a little out of date, remember?

F : I did ask you to renew it Mephisto.

M : Yes, so you did, and I did try but since you refused to hand over your credit card details to the airline and, as I recall, you also weren't too keen on giving your home address, it was all a little difficult.

F : You managed it for yourself though I see.

M : Well, yes, but I'm allowed to travel anywhere as I provide a service of importance to the community.

F : Why was I refused?

M : Well, dear Faust, it was really nothing to do with you, it was a little bit of in-fighting between the European Union and the American authorities. Nothing to worry about. Anyway, to get back to my meeting with the lovely Mr. Annan.

F : If you must.

M : I quite like this Ban Ki-Moon. He's a 'man we can do business with' I think.

F : I know that quote, could you possibly remind me where it comes from dear Mephisto?

M : Why, of course Faust my dear fellow, it was said by Mr R. Holbrooke when he was talking of Mr S. Milosevic. He changed his mind of course, but it was he who originally made the statement.

F : 'The ego has landed', is that him?

M : Yes, I do believe it is, dearest Faust. Anyway, back to Mr. Annan.

F : Hang on, whatever happened to Dick Holbrooke? Is he still learning how to spot powder kegs?

M : No, no, dear Faust, he's long since past that phase. He is now concentrating on pyrrhic victories all over the world.

F : I see.

M : Did you want to talk about Mr. Annan at all?

F : Not really, I'm quite hungry now, aren't you?

M : Well, now you come to mention it, yes, I am a bit.

F : I have some rather nice donuts in the kitchen, from Marks and Spencer. Shall we have them now?

M : Yes, let's. It would be a shame to let them spoil.