Originally posted by: TMPadmin
Didn't read every reply but did you consider asking your boss to setup a meeting with said big cheese? I think talking with big cheese himself, explaining your point of view (from your car) and apologizing in the process might help you turn a bad situation into a brown nosing opportunity.
Get dressed up - a bit more than the usual shirt and tie. Comb your hair, shave and discuss what happened with the cheese. If he is at all reasonable he may reconsider his position AND look favorably on you in the future.