The first time Danny tried to become an accountant, he didn’t get past level one. The lion-headed monster guarding the door to the staircase refused him access, chewed up his stripy tie and flung him by his ear into the pit of mediocrity.
He came back three years later, now Daniel, now with briefcase and serious spectacles. The lion-headed monster ground his glasses in its tombstone teeth and swatted him with a dinner-plate paw.
He tried every year until he was 36, but never made it to level two. The lion-headed monster knew about his lucky polka-dot socks, you see.
V for vignette 
Hi Laura
Is this by any chance a veiled reference to Danny Alexander in the Treasury?
Janis
Ha! It would be thinly veiled, I think. But no. David reckons he’s the type to wear wacky socks, mind.
I hope there is a sequel. Darn the Dan has lucky socks.