In my line of work, absolutely everything I do is on display. Even the actions of the servants reflect poorly on me, which is enough pressure to drive most people out of the job. Fortunately, the Michaelis family is made of much sterner stuff, hence why we’ve been in service to the Clanceys for generations.

I will admit, a great part of my work is damage-control. Just this morning the Melbourne sash window repair people were called to study #5, but that idiot footman directed them to study #6 while I was busy overseeing the preparation of the elevenses. There really is no excuse for such behaviour; study #6 has a teal colour scheme while #5 has one of aquamarine. See what I have to put up with? Fortunately, I managed to take one of the secret passageway shortcuts and reach study #6 in time to stop unnecessary works from being carried out on the windows. The workmen were directed to study #5 as originally scheduled, and I immediately resolved to be more diligent about answering the door. Or perhaps all the footmen need a seminar on the importance of the colour wheel.

That’s the type of thing we need to know, as head butlers. I was reciting furniture colour schemes by the time I was six, and even before that, had I mixed up plum and burgundy it would’ve been a blight upon the household.

The Master wouldn’t have been happy about that little mishap, especially considering his stance on wasted time and money. He certainly didn’t get to be the head of a business empire by being casual with his window replacement! Of course, even as head butler I must know my place in the household, striving to be invisible when not required and instantly accessible when my services are needed. It’s a fine balance, but also a skill that runs in my family, along with an impeccable sense of décor. Even the finest window repair in Melbourne shan’t take place without my supervision. Such is the life I was born into. I wouldn’t dream of it being any different, however.

-T. Michaelis