Remy humorously suggests retreating to a dark, unventilated cave due to unpleasant weather. This sentiment echoes a past workplace dynamic where managers tolerated eccentric software developers. In the late 90s, with the IT boom, managers were accustomed to unusual behavior from their developers. When hiring Sten, who had glowing recommendations, Barry and his team prepared for eccentricity.On his first day, Sten requested a workspace with no natural light and closable ventilation. Barry discovered Sten's office in the basement, where Sten was removing fluorescent bulbs to darken the space. Sten spoke exclusively in the third person, referring to himself as "Sten" and using pronouns in a confusing manner. He also consumed large amounts of vitamins and a peculiar-smelling tea.Sten's coding style was equally peculiar, using female first names for all variables and methods, named after his supposed girlfriends. While some naming conventions existed, they were undocumented and difficult to decipher. Code reviews became elaborate narratives, making it hard to understand the actual logic.Despite his eccentricities and coding style, Sten's primary downfall was his slow productivity. He couldn't keep pace with the team's demands, leading to his termination. Barry later provided a cautious reference to another company, suggesting they have Sten explain his code. Sten was not hired by that company, and Barry received a thank-you gift basket.