With but a few exceptions, political establishments all over the world are handlocked by immobilism and the tight grip of the superpower's bid for global supremacy.

If you have a severe case of achluophobia (fear of the dark), for instance, you may want to wait at the mouth of the cave.

‘No. I only opened the door a foot and put my head in. The street lamps shine into that room. I could see him. He was all right. Sleeping like a great grampus. Poor, poor chap.’

I was never distinguished for address, and have often even blundered in making my bow.