Fingerbowls and Peacocks

Back in the 80's (I think), my Dad worked for Dow Chemical Co. in Freeport, Tx. For some reason or other, they decided to reward Dad and some of his colleagues with a trip to Houston to eat at a particularly fancy restaurant, Vargo's. Dad and his buddies, along with their wives, hopped on a bus and headed towards Houston and a night on the town.

Did I mention that there was a fair amount of booze on this bus? Yes, apparently, it was a rolling party, and the party was on.

By the time they got to Vargo's, some of Dad's buddies were a bit...well...tipsy. Nevertheless, they stumbled off the bus, eager to get into the restaurant and enjoy the fabulous meal that awaited them. One slightly inebriated gentlemen was happily chatting with everyone and having fun until he spotted a peacock strolling in the gardens. Immediately, he snapped his mouth shut, looked straight ahead, and walked carefully towards the restaurant without another word.

Dad saw this, and wondered what was up, but said nothing at first. Once they were inside, he sidled up to the man.

"Man, this is a great place, isn't it?"

"Yup."

"Did you see those peacocks outside?"

The tipsy fellow turned to stare at my Dad, and hope filled his eyes.

"You saw 'em too? Thanks, I thought I was seeing things!"

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The meal was wonderful, just as they had expected, and everyone had a great time. Before dessert was served, each diner was presented with a small bowl of water with a slice of lemon.

Dad looked at it, a bit confused. He'd already finished dinner, but if they were nice enough to give him a complimentary bowl of soup, he decided that it would be impolite to refuse.

Luckily, someone managed to stop him from drinking out of his fingerbowl. Once they told him what that little bowl of lemon water was for, he laughed and laughed, thinking that he must have looked like some kind of fool.

But rather than embarrass him, episodes like this just made him laugh that big, huffing laugh of his. Telling this story never failed to amuse him, even if he had looked like a goober, about to drink out of the fingerbowl.