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David Harcourt
Administrator
| Joined: | 31 Dec 1969 |
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| Posts: | 1127 |
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Posted: 15 Jun 2007 03:02 am |
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I am luckier than you are.
Michael Fowler calls in to my shop every few days to tell me about his latest adventures. If you are not on his route – for he calls on many people – you are missing something. You may recall that at the end of last year I told how Sir Michael, who's 76 if he's a day, spent much of Christmas Eve pushing a supermarket trolley full of poinsettias along Molesworth Street. He left these lovely Christmas treats in the stores of his friends, who (I am delighted to report) include me and the lovely Selina. Would anyone else do this? I asked.
Then there is the Dinnerset Saga. A year or so ago SMF bought a small dinnerset from me. Afterwards, he went off to the New World Supermarket across the road, carrying the set in two plastic shopping bags. As he entered the supermarket he asked a man outside whether he would mind the bags for him while he shopped inside. The man was delighted to accept the suggestion but when Michael emerged he found - to his amazement and horror - that the person to whom he had entrusted the dinnerset had disappeared. The ensuing conversation went like this:
SMF: I've searched everywhere, but the fellow has completely vanished. My dinnerset has gone with him.
DH: How was he dressed?
SMF: Oh, the usual. No, I tell a lie. He was pretty casually dressed, actually. [Muses for a moment.] I suppose you would have to say he was dressed in rags.
DH: Let me guess. He was bearded. His hair was long and very unkempt. And he was very dirty.
SMF: Got it exactly! A perfect description. You know him?
DH: Hahahahahahahahahahaha.
SMF: Why are you laughing? Come on now. What's so funny? Where's my dinnerset?
DH: Michael, you left it in the care of a tramp!
Customers elsewhere in the shop gathered around. As they heard the story they began to laugh. Soon, everyone was laughing until the tears ran.
And the person who laughed loudest and longest?
The ex-Mayor of Wellington, of course.
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David Harcourt
Administrator
| Joined: | 31 Dec 1969 |
| Location: | |
| Posts: | 1127 |
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Posted: 15 Jun 2007 03:15 am |
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I now have more stories to add.
First, there is a 15-year-old female in Michael's circle who - he has been appalled to learn - has "a lover".
Officially.
Michael feels that this is a horrifying situation. He doesn't know how to act.
Make my day, I said. Tell me that "the lover" is in his mid- to late-thirties, of swarthy complexion, unshaven, with a long, greasy hair, a large gold ring in one ear and at least two gold teeth.
No, said Michael. At least, you're right about the hair, but he's 18.
Michael obviously needs advice about the etiquette involved in this fraught situation.
The best I have been able to suggest is that he gently steer the conversation around to the subject of statutory rape.
Do you have any suggestions?
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jaybee2003
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| Joined: | 31 Dec 1969 |
| Location: | |
| Posts: | 272 |
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Posted: 16 Jun 2007 08:44 am |
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I empathise with Micheal. But I think your suggestion as he isn't the parent, is the only one I can think of - bar a chastity belt!
A friend of ours had 4 daughters - now all in their late 20's and 30's. His nickname? - The Terminator.
Two of the boys here have 5 daughters between them - each son vows their "little girls" will be locked up until they are 21 - never mind 16 - the 'age of consent'.
When we remind them of their behaviour as a young person...."Ahhh - but that was different....."
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jaybee2003
Member
| Joined: | 31 Dec 1969 |
| Location: | |
| Posts: | 272 |
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Posted: 16 Jun 2007 08:57 am |
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As I read of SMF and his not being sure how to cope, I couldn't but help think of a wonderful couple, very dignified people, who in their 70's, finally learned of their daughters lesbianisn (that had been long hidden from them) and the difficulty they had coming to terms with that.
Every generation has an entrenched view of values, morals etc. I'm not sure if like the couple above, I am ready to face what our grandchildren may throw at us.
Perhaps, even though we can't be forced to condone, we need to tell ourselves acceptance isn't necessarily condonance.
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