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Board Administrator Username: mjm Post Number: 3817 Registered: 11-1998 |
Honorable Mention Duck Chocolate and tapas Frank Faust we are opening with tapas but I don't know what tapas is we are in a restaurant with a faux spanish feel seven of us eight a small gathering in the middle of a crowded week a little business a little fun and we start the night with a platter marinated ribs some sort of fried calamari rings cheese and special-sauce potato olives they call it tapas ~ a mother out near seymour a town on the edge of the catchment is staring at the table food tonight came out of the freezer wasn't touched pushed now towards the centre of the kitchen table she's still dressed up hasn't changed it's a long trip and she's too weary to bother the boy her young man was a mess today still so sick strange frightening thank god for the hospital but what are they doing what can they do this is the worst it's ever been what's going to happen she starts crying silently but even as she does she knows she's the strongest of the two of them it will destroy her husband she is the stronger and she is crying wishes they hadn't visited perhaps it will be better tomorrow ~ the deep red is a delicious warmth and the conversation flows a joke about the servie a word about medicine some thoughtful comment about the demography of the area how it differs distinctly from its neighbours familiar faces pass by settle at neighbouring tables there is a comfort a sense of belonging in this place this night the town seems undisturbed they have taken the tapas platter empty and we are waiting for the mains its all very pleasant and the last olive was mine ~ things are jumping on the ward it's full up no beds but there's another patient an overdose a psychosis drug-related anorexic old something it doesn't really matter what there's always another one and tonight there'll be a blue about it night staff aren't happy if you want to leave another patient you better find another staff because we haven't got enough and we won't do it don't care who says so no staff no going over-numbers good welcome aboard for the night don't worry they'll sort it out tomorrow ~ chocolate duck is an unusual dish rich and rewarding our table is silent now almost only the clinking of cutlery an occasional appreciation and the sound of an ambulance disappearing into the distance idle thoughts idle thoughts they always stray back to the job to work the petty worries I can do nothing about but can't help over-working the main dishwasher in the ward kitchen has broken down what will it do to the budget if I replace it is there a choice nope perhaps I should increase the salary increment of the new staff member he's working out ok the roster will be short tomorrow has anyone put their hand up to fill in for the absentees I wonder if they're sick or just bludging need some help with that one it's all pointless I can't do anything until tomorrow and the talk is starting up again this has been a nice way to end the evening and the food was great duck chocolate tapas and all I still don't know what it means tapas I might work it out tomorrow ~ |
