"just need to get to the stage when I can confidently get in a single seat S-1 knowing I can get it (and me) down in one piece reliably in different conditions at a variety of strips."
Great! When you get to that point, let me know, will you? And tell me how you got there! I've got about 200 hours in Pitts and I'm still not sure of that!
But, seriously, I think you're on the right track. A Pitts is something that grabs your imagination and makes you want to go out and to it right now, but it's also best learned more slowly and in depth. A few hours with an instructor in the front seat of an S-2 are the best prep you can get for landing an S-1 (after some other tailwheel experience, natch)
Pitts2112
PS - Stik's got a lot to answer for in taking people to the dark side of flying...