"Hey Francis, have you met M?" asked L.
"Uh, yeah... we go way back." I replied. (Now I'm thinking - I've met M years ago. In fact, I'm sure we have similar friends, and we talked just a few days ago, what's going on?)
"Well you're the Asian version of M, and he's the Latino version of you!" L is very excited to tell me this. I know L is a very excitable and energetic person, so I just go with the flow (trying in earnest not to show how confused I was). At the same time I start thinking about what L could be talking about. Does M like Adventurising? Or is it that he's loud and obnoxious like me? Or is there some sort of horrible prank about to happen to yours truly.
"Go talk to him!" Exclaimed L. "Well, go on." L nudged.
Now, I'm thinking what kind of crazy is going on here. I shoot N a quick glance as to get some sort of clue to what might happen. N just smiles. (This can't be good. N hasn't given me any hints, in fact, N just encourages me, by looking in that general direction) I'm mortified. Confused. Scared. I walk down the steps cautiously. What is it that makes meeting M so special this time? What kind of hilarity has M or L done now? What kind of silly prank is this!
The reception is beautifully laid out. There are fancy decorations, table cloths, and candles set around the room. The light is just dimmed as to promote a warm comfortable environment. There is a massive table of many different antipasto dishes to whet one's appetite. York International sure does know how to make throw a party. Everyone is conversing politely, standing in small groups. There is touch of class to this reception. Everything is so elegant, so mature. Everyone certainly has dressed for the occasion.
I wander over to where M is standing. M is surrounded by people. Of course, M's surrounded by the ladies.
"Hey..." The words barely come out of my mouth.
M takes his name tag and shoves it in my face. (Oh no, I'm definitely gonna get a pie to the face...) However, I risk getting pranked and ignore all things happening around me. I start reading.
I read his name.
I start reading his placement. S... c... i... (No way... there is no other 'Sci' placement... but gotta keep reading) - B... o... n... o... Discovery Centre. (My mind is racing, this has got to be some sort of cruel joke.) Johannesburg, South Africa.
I get all of this in a matter of half a second.
"YEAH!!! BOY!!!" [Way to go Francis, you've completely made a fool of yourself. You just took this classy environment and turned it into a circus.]
People are starting to look at what's going on. We're celebrating. (High Five!) We're laughing. It's awesomely awesome. So what that I can feel the burning eyes of the crowd on the back of my neck. I had spent a little over a week fretting over the fact that I might be heading down to Jo'burg alone. Now, it was going to be M and I taking South Africa by storm. The energy in the room shot up tenfold, or it was just me. I sensed that some were secretly and others not so secretly jealous of my new situation.
Food... talking... food... talking... apple juice... food... talking... choke... water... food. Home time.
In the words of Shingo Wanatabe, "dude, make it sweet."
Johannesburg, South Africa
L