Interesting story. I did something similar for a bespoke monitoring/helpdesk/knowledge base for a big client in energy trading.
However it took me an afternoon and I did get permission: I just installed Oracle text on the existing database and replaced the old search by tags with the Oracle text instance.
Typically in these large orgs, writing an app is only one of the first steps; they also need to be maintained, updated, monitored which might require extra budget, which typically nobody wants to pay for because "everything works".
If you ever end up in a similar situation, you could consider the environment as a part of the challenge before you figure out a solution.
Nevertheless, the 1 hour meeting is a hilarious story, although I personally would avoid burning bridges on the way out: it might hit you in the face in another context when you least expect it....
Typically in these large orgs, writing an app is only one of the first steps; they also need to be maintained, updated, monitored which might require extra budget, which typically nobody wants to pay for because "everything works".
If you ever end up in a similar situation, you could consider the environment as a part of the challenge before you figure out a solution.
Nevertheless, the 1 hour meeting is a hilarious story, although I personally would avoid burning bridges on the way out: it might hit you in the face in another context when you least expect it....