Chief of Protocol

All the important people were there, but nothing happened as it was supposed to. It was the 90th anniversary of the signing of Argentina's articles of confederation, and Buenos Aires' Governor Rodolfo Moreno, who dearly loves a spectacle, had invited Acting President Ramon S. Castillo, all provincial governors and many another bigwig to re-enact the ceremony. To the tiny town of San Nicolas de los Arroyos traveled the presidential train, complete with what Buenos Aires correspondents nicknamed "the candidates' coach." Aspirants in next year's presidential elections, including longtime Foreign Minister Carlos Saavedra Lamas, Jurist Leopoldo Melo, onetime President General Agustin P. Justo and Castillo-favorite Guillermo Rothe, eyed one another warily.

At the station they were met by an elegant chef de protocole, who led the way to a commemorative plaque. After allowing Acting President Castillo a couple of tugs which failed to untwitch the covering, the officious chef de protocole unveiled the plaque with a jerk. Next he ordered photographs to be posed, driving Santiago Luis Cardinal Copello in & out of pictures until the Cardinal was hopelessly confused. When Vice Admiral Mario Fincati, Minister of Marine, was missing at the moment he should have signed, the chef de protocole peremptorily shouted: "Fincati! Fincati! Where's Fincati?--and sent dignified, elderly Dr. Melo trotting off to find him.

At the formal luncheon, Acting President Castillo privately inquired of his neighbor: "Who is the chef de protocole?" He was told: "A friend of Moreno." Equally puzzled Governor Moreno, making an identical inquiry, was reassured: "He is a friend of Castillo."

The Buenos Aires correspondents knew very well who the chef de protocole was. They had recognized him as Argentina's famed gatecrasher, Jupiter Roberto Perrusi, a onetime $50-a-month postal clerk.

Next day Don Jupiter, who as "director-manager" fronts a mysterious film company called Argentina Images, presented himself at the Casa Rosada to film a luncheon for his friend Governor Moreno. Without protocol, exit Jupiter.

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