Three Envelopes
A man goes to work at a government agency, rises through the ranks, and becomes assistant to the director. One day the director calls him into the office. "My time here is done," he says, "and I'm naming you as my successor. I like you, so I'm going to give you the benefit of my years of experience. Here are three envelopes." He holds them up, then puts them in the back of the bottom desk drawer. "When you face your first crisis, open Envelope 1. For the next crisis, open Envelope 2. For the third one (you see where I'm going with this), open Envelope 3."
The man thanks the director. Sure enough, he becomes the new director. Two years later a scandal erupts. He remembers the envelopes and opens the first one. It says, "Blame everything on your predecessor." He does so and weathers the storm.
Three years later there's another scandal. He opens the second envelope. It says, "Appoint a blue-ribbon panel." He does so and survives.
Five years later there's a much larger scandal. Hands shaking, he tears open the third envelope. It says, "Prepare three envelopes...."
