language chosen by twit, but is he/she writing it? If not, manage the code, it will be documented, parsed, pressed styled seconded guessed and tested.
otherwise smile and if you have time do the perl version anyway, get it ready then say.... hmmm I have something that is ready NOW. There will be an appropriate meeting to bring that up in after deadlines start to slip badly.
ambush my friend, in the guise of saving the day.
thanx,
bill