It was normal, a large conference room table where the editors sat and then a ring of chairs around the room for guests and lackeys. My imperfect recollection

It was normal, a large conference room table where the editors sat and then a ring of chairs around the room for guests and lackeys. My imperfect recollection is that guests were briefly introduced by their chaperone to the room so that editors could speak up if there was a potential conflict. For all of their faults, there certainly was nothing resembling outright impropriety. Just structural challenges.