There are really three stories here that are all tied together by the same three-day time period. They should be told together to better understand how the third and more meaningful story unfolds. The first two, while maybe amusing (I hope they are) are just background for the third. I am going to break these into three parts because of length and the very different flavor and texture of the third. God I love that word texture. I suppose it is because texture can involve a combination of many senses and imagery all at the same time. You will understand when we get two part three. But for now, on to part one……

South Carolina

There was a time when business required that I spend significant time in the south. It was a Thursday afternoon and I had just finished up a week long convention in Atlanta Georgia. If you have experienced these you know that very late hours and considerable amounts of spirits are imbibed. I was a bit tired, but youth will get you through anything in spite of yourself. Now I was jumping over to South Carolina for a Friday morning breakfast meeting and looking forward to some much-needed sleep and a few quiet rounds of golf before the Monday morning marathon began all over again. An old friend from New York was now living in the area and I had been invited to dinner Thursday evening. Good – home cooked food; early check in at the hotel and some much needed sleep. Well, maybe not……..

I have dinner with his family, we catch up on each other’s news and I am making my apologies for wanting to leave early. It was not to be. He and his wife insist we all go out for a drink. I can’t refuse; the lady just gave me dinner. I was however able to ask that we go some place tame and comfortable. “No problem. There is a new place named” ….and get this…. “The New Yorker Club.” It’s all couples with soft music for dancing and has a nice bar off the dance floor. A great place for a quiet drink.”

The New Yorker Club is exactly as promised and is not the usual Honky Tonk bedlam I am used to in the Carolinas. The place is dark and appealing with a quiet band playing slow dance music. Our conversation is soothing with low-key laughs and smiles all around. The Bar Maid who is quite fetching in a theatrical harem costume enhances the aesthetics of the place. She has joined our conversation as her time permits.