Mr. Bird faced the truth in himself and appears to me to have achieved some peace through creativity.

Mr. Bird has the right to to appeal the decision at a hearing before the department within 30 days.

Mr. Bird said strong revenues from trade shows in the fourth quarter or acquisitions could light a fire under the shares.

"The industry was investing a lot more than it had been raising for two and a half years," Mr. Bird said.

"We shouldn't get too carried away based on one quarter's numbers," Mr. Bird said.

Mr. Bird, in turn, showed the film-in-progress to his mother.

"The problem is he didn't know when to stop," a diplomat said of Mr. Bird.

Mr. Bird said through an aide that he was too busy to speak with a reporter.

"It was real frustrating around here during that time," Mr. Bird said.

Mr. Bird, for example, said a senior manager once wiped spittle on his face.