After they had downed the first couple of rounds, one said, "Shouldn't we be getting back? It'll be awfully embarrassing if we're late."

Another, presumably the one who suggested this little excursion in the first place, replied, "Oh, I anticipated that we could use a little more time, so I tied a string around the last pages of the conductors score. When he gets there, Milton's going to have to slow the tempo way down while he waves the baton with one hand and fumbles with the string with the other."

So they had another round and finally returned to the Opera House,a little tipsy by now. As they came back on stage, however, one look at the conductor's face told them they were in serious trouble.

Katims was furious! And why not?

After all . . .
it was the bottom of the Ninth, the score was tied,
and the basses were loaded.