ladder --> leader later

leader later -> follower earlier

     I thought you''d recognize an ancient joke:
The first astronaut to land on an alien planet, in a distant galaxy, was welcomed by a seductive woman, outstanding for her beauty, but over eight feet tall.
     Purred she, "I'll take you to my leader."
     And he responded, "No! Take me to your ladder. I'll see your leader later."
Seán

Nope, didn't catch that.

Hope that astronaut wasn't short on oxygen up there!

Henry

Hope that astronaut wasn't short on oxygen --> He was breathless.

breathless -> gasp

gasp --> pant

pant -> breath

breath --> width

width -> girth

girth --> boyth

(apologies for the lisp)

boyth -> scoutish

scoutish --> Welsh

Welsh -> rabbit

rabbit --> hare --> tonsure

tonsure --> mohawk

mohawk -> hairdo (or hair don't?)

hair don't --> coiffure

coiffure -> style

style --> gnomon

sundial

sundial --> cwm

cwm (Welsh?) -> valley

valley --> cirque

cirque -> arena