"I thought there would be more fireworks but this is nothing more than a damp squib," he moaned, acknowledging the crumpled heap of a teacher. Recovering quite suddenly, he adds, "At least I will be able to see my diabolical schemes come to light, now."

He would just have to pick up the pace to make up for his recent idleness. Somehow the prospect of an apocalypse was less daunting than that of a disappointed circus audience.