Watching me sign a document, Mephisto commented I'm an optimist - "a fan".

"Of what?" I asked. "I'm not a fan."

"Maybe you need to become a fan of something," said he.

Moments earlier, he'd pulled the hoodie of my jacket over my head, half in mock-exasperation with me. Had he been a friend or relative, it would've been an affectionate, friendly move; but he's the boss - more specifically, my boss.

So ... I'm nonplussed.