One day the conductor of the orchestra called in to report that he was stuck in traffic and would be 20 minutes late. It was arranged that the principal violist would take the baton and lead the rehearsal in that time. After all, the violist had some conducting experience and could at least keep people busy until the Maestro arrived.

All went well and the real conductor showed up only 15 minutes late, relieving the violist of his surrogate duty. The violist then fetched his viola and assumed his position at the head of the viola section. Upon sitting down, the associate principal violist scowled at him and hissed "Where have you been? You're late!"