So now it’s Openness. Well it ain’t for me squire! It’s like leavin’ yer front door open with an invitation plastered on the double garage-door to come and meet the wife. Doors are for closin’ and that’s what makes masonry special. Just cos some misguided geezer reckons we’re on the make in local government and all that doesn’t mean we’ve all got to spill the beans and turn ourselves into the rotary-club. Nuthin’ ‘gainst rotary-clubs of o’course -ol’ Tony Maccetti’s an honourable rotarian - but we’re different. Always ‘ave been.
    Bein’ in the double-glazin’ trade meself ‘as taught me alot about the world outside. It’s somethin’ to be kept out. Like lettin’ the draught in. All this stuff ‘bout Open Days. I ask yer! It’s ‘gainst Nature. You wouldn’t want the world to know what you does at ‘ome, would yer? Course not. Well, the lodge is my second-’ome and only invited guests need apply. Know what I mean? Keep ‘em out! That’s what the Tyler’s for.
    When I gives to charity, I don’t want the world to know about it. It’s secret. Careless talk costs lives, dunnit? When old Adolf was throwin’ bombs over London, what did the government say? Shut it! Too right. The country ‘ad to become a secret society to keep democracy. Stands to reason. Someone said we got to open the doors so new members can fill the gaps. We don’t want just anyone turnin’ up, do we? Question of privacy. Any’ow, what’s wrong with things the way they is? Too many busy-bodies and do-gooders all round tryin’ to change things. If it ain’t broke, don’t mend it. Same in business. You won’t get far if the competition knows what you’re up to. Business is best done secret-like. For everybody’s benefit.
    My dad used to say, ‘don’t confess nuthin’ son’. Confession is an admission of guilt, innit? If you don’t talk, you can’t be found guilty can you? Course not. We ain’t guilty of anything. We masons are pillars of the community. Best stay out the way. What ‘appens these days when you put up a nice building in public? In two days it’s covered in graffiti. Keep the pillars invisible, that’s what I say. You can’t trust no-one can you? So if you want a bit of double-glazing, you’ll not only know where to come for the best deal - you’ll also know why : it’s sure proof against the winds of change. As my ol’ mate in the Scrubbs told me : Stay inside - it’s a lot safer.
    PS : Don’t tell no-one I told yer.