Honesty Being One Policy Amongst Others...
A fine summer's day, and my Croatian friend insisted we visit the "Henley Boating Fair", as he so quaintly termed it. Off we jollied, stopping at a few hostelries en route. By the time we got to Henley, we were pretty mortal and shouting slavonic curses at all and sundry. A few pubs down the line and a few more hoorays insulted...we ended up in some form of hotel bar full of decent chaps with more than a passing resemblance to the Major in Fawlty Towers. Croatian friend was in heaven, discussing military techniques with the passion and knowledge that only stems from having participated in a recent civil war...the Major types were a very appreciative audience.
I slipped out to powder my nose. Bingo! Wallet on the floor of the cubicle. Wallet stuffed full of pink grannies (£50s to you BACS people). Slipped it in my back pocket and made ready to prise the Croat away from his military meanderings...opened the cubicle door to find a very drunk, very old Major type looking quite concerned. "I...I don't suppose you've seen a wallet anywhere, old chap?" he slurred.
What to do? I handed the wallet back, and the old duffer's eyes lit up. "Damn good chap! Damn good chap! Come on, let's have a drink!". Spent the next 5 hours alternating between brandy and champagne, putting this dreadful world to rights and cursing the youth of today. Come midnight, myself, the Croat and the old fella were utterly wrecked and in tears of laughter/sadness. Booked a room each, crashed out and staggered down for breakfast the next morning...the old fella had checked out, having paid our entire room and bar bill. He'd also left an envelope containing £100 with instructions to eat a decent luncheon. A true gentleman.
( wotofco pissing in your swimming pool, Fri 15 Sep 2006, 1:26, Reply)