Perhaps a little more brusque than I had hoped. But, your allegory is fair. The point I had hoped to convey was: his best recourse is to work as a junior a little longer until his business skills are developed. I need to stop trying to be so "nice, nice" :-)

RE: Reputation. I can't begin to speculate. I've only ever chatted with him a few times by phone. I've never been on the Row, so I have no idea whose reputation is what. I can only speak to the guts of some garments, not the working relationships.

I identify with DB's situation. When the first winds started to blow, I had openly offered to fly to London to help dig him out. I suspect he may have gotten intimidated and panicked. I know I did the first time my business got away from me, which is why I take such a personal interest in his story.

^ looooooooooooooooooooool

Question:

why doesn't Beaman just come clean and either clear up the various controversies or whatever?  It seems like it'd be an easy enough thing to do.  If writing's not his strong suit, as it were, then someone else can surely type it up.

I think he did.

He said the suit needs another fitting so it couldn't possibly be ready to be picked up.