Theatre Truism

If something can possibly go wrong, it will. (Murphy's law)
If several things go wrong, or can go wrong, they will go wrong in every possible way. (First corallary to Murphy's Law)
If something can go wrong, it will go wrong at the worst possible time. (Second corollary to Murphy's Law)

Data entry tech comment:

Informant and collector are the same person.
Informant was born and raised in Pensacola, Florida, where he probably learned this.

Where learned: TENNESSEE ; FLORIDA ; NASHVILLE ; PENSACOLA