> > I think the fact that he's being considered for advancement when
> > Willie isn't, and presented with the Well, who was Willie argument, means
> > that he is from the upper crust, though the lower layers of it.
>
> Willie isn't advancing as quickly because he doesn't want to. Willie
> isn't that concerned with promotion, he was perfectly fine with his job
> and had no real ambition to rise higher. Also Neil was ahead of Willie.
> Remember Neil was a Sandbagger a while before Willie was, and WIllie was
> behind Neil. So I don't think Neil is getting promoted any faster than
> Willie, he just had a head start. I think that is Neil left his
> posistion (either because of injury, quiting, or promotion) WIllie
> probally would have stood a good chance at takine Neil's place (he might
> not have gotten it because WIllie didn't have the ambition to go farther,
> as well as the "management" might not think WIllie had the right
> mentality for the job).
>
I can't quote you chapter and verse, but I rememeber two
instances off hand, one in which Wellingham disparages Willie's
background, and another in which Willie himself says he would not be
promoted much higher because of it. I'm aware of Willie's position in
the ranks relative to Neil. I don't think Willie is as temperamentally
suited as Neil for being DOps, but he certainly had his cold,
calculating, ruthless side. He's obviously more competent than Peele at
just about anything. He might have gotten Neil's job if he left, but I
do think the series makes it clear that the powers-that-be would much
prefer someone with the right tie.
Gayle