In a comically ironic twist of fate, the author J. Maarten Troost found himself mistakenly hired as a consultant for the World Bank, despite having no background in infrastructure finance. His lack of financial literacy was apparent, as he had never balanced a checkbook, largely due to his personal financial situation where his checking account rarely exceeded three figures. This absurd misunderstanding highlights the sometimes arbitrary nature of professional qualifications.

Troost reflects on the unfortunate circumstances faced by the Third World countries that relied on his supposed expertise for their infrastructure projects. With a mix of humor and humility, he offers an apology to those who were impacted by his unwarranted role as a consultant, acknowledging the irony in being entrusted with such significant responsibilities without the necessary skills. The situation serves as a humorous commentary on the disconnect between perceived qualifications and actual competence.