The truth of the matter-
I received a short notice invite from Biffen to join him for lunch. Normally this would arouse suspicion and trepidation but,as the suggested venue was a respectable country pub, not a million miles from Romsey – I accepted.
Gullible me. At the last moment Biffen changed the venue to a miserable little inn, in an even more miserable town that I had never heard of. No mobile coverage! Upon entering the bar I immediately realised that if ever they wanted hillbillies for a remake of “Deliverance” – this was the place.
I immediately regretted bringing the Merc but at least I could still see it through the murky windows. Biffen arrived – chauffer driven no less – by a particularly disreputable looking fellow and escorted me into a dingy area at the back of the pub.
Of course, I was by far the most fashionably dressed. Biffen and his “driver’ looked like common bogtrotters. I even sported my limited edition Mercedes watch which Biffen (the lout) referred to as “bling”!
Biffen was well known and warmly greeted by the “locals”. The waitress had enough tatts to qualify as street art and Biffen immediately began to regale her with tales of his “penthouse” in St.Kilda and how could offer her far greater opportunities for career advancement. The barmaid ( a particularly slatternly type) sported a nose ring that would have controlled the most unruly of bullocks. Welcome to Biffen’s world!
Biffen played “mine host” and ordered me something that looked like warm road kill hidden under greasy chips. Beautifully plated! He also managed to find a cheap and nasty shiraz to wash it down with.
There were some interruptions while “mine host” had to step outside to conclude business transactions.
The actual purpose of the lunch was a crude attempt to drag my good name into a business deal involving an environmental scam and the abuse of 457 visas. Typical Biffen.
Anyway, I survived the experience. As I’m sure Earl Hood would agree it is sometimes necessary to mix with the vulgar elements of society to humbly remind oneself of one’s superiority.