Page 59 - The Myth and the Moment

Afternoon

“But surely you’ve done this before. I mean, had catered meals up
here.”
“Other times everything gone. This time not so many people
come. Too hot.”
“Yeah, well, look, lady, we’ve got to get packed up and out of
here.”
“May I make a suggestion?”
Enough of this. They’re about to spill blood over a quart of pasta
salad and a few cold cuts.
“Eh?”
“Perhaps you should apply the wisdom of Solomon, except in this
case completely consummate the judgement. Divide the spoils.
Ought to be enough to go around.”
“No. Not split. No bargaining after money paid.”
“Hey, mister: who asked you? Butt out. Now, this is it, lady. We’re
taking this food, and if you don’t like it, you can complain to our
bosses. They know we’re in the right.”
Uh-oh. Better get out of the way. She’s got the big platter. No,
they’ve got it.
Crash!
“What the hell’s going on here?”
Phil, with his dander up. Buffet now a scattered poolside picnic
lunch.
“Phil, the caterers had a disagreement with Lin about—”
“You pay for this, you—”
“Lionel, would you help me pick up this table before I knock this
broad on her—”
Let me distance myself even further from this scene of domestic
disputation. Ah, crudités overboard. Julienned carrots, cherry
tomatoes, cauliflower buds, zucchini rosettes, all afloat on these
troubled waters. Better do something before I crack up. Over there.
“No, I won’t!”
“—the contract says no liability for—”
“Mine!”
“If you gentlemen, if I may use the term, would—”
Yes, a leaf-skimmer. Pole looks half-rotted, but only half. Okay,
fishing for veggies. The flotilla retreats, seeking shelter beneath the
diving board. But didn’t reckon on the skills of a pro. Whoosh, and

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