Sunday, September 10, 2006

Accidentally playing the cancer card

I was in London on Friday for Lou Noble's farewell drinks before she goes to New York for a couple of years, and after a few drinks at All Bar One in Clapham, we went on to the Clapham Grand to continue the celebrations (blood counts still good Smile).

Katie C and I were a bit behind the others, so got to the queue just as another group of people did. In order to be with the rest of our friends, we skipped in front, and one of the people we'd gone ahead of addressed Katie:

Randomer: "Go ahead, I don't mind at all as your friend [ie me] has a silly hat [I was wearing my Buff]."
Katie: "Thank you."
Me: "You never know when a silly hat will come in useful."
Randomer: "So, what, have you got cancer or something?"
Me: "Erm, yes, actually."

[Randomer's face drops]



[long pause]

Randomer: "No way... Seriously?"
Me: "Yep..."
Randomer: "Oh my God, I'm so sorry. I can't believe I said that."
Me: "Don't worry, it's not a problem!"
Randomer: "Seriously, I'm so stupid, I feel so bad."
Me: "It's ok, really, I'm not in the slightest bit offended. I'm quite happy with it."
Randomer: "No, I'm so sorry. Let me pay for your entrance."
Me: "Don't worry! I mean it, there's no reason at all you need to pay for me to get in."
Randomer: "I insist. I can't believe I said that. That's so bad."
etc.

He wouldn't take no for an answer, and paid my £8 entrance fee! I wasn't quite sure it was ethical tolet him do so, but hopefully it appeased his conscience and he recovered from my surprise response...

Long live the cancer card!

7 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Nice one George. I am going to wear a silly hat and try that.

7:37 pm  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Never mind playing the card George, I can't believe that you've admitted to the WORLD via your blog that you went to the Clapham Grand...!!!

Cat Varley XXX

P.S. Great to see you on Friday x

8:43 am  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

What's wrong with the Clapham Grand then? (Being a non-Londoner, I wouldn't know of any character flaws to the joint.) I *think* that's where I was for the post-Boat Race Party party last year...

As for the cancer card George, it might not feel entirely ethical to you, but it will teach him
a) to think before he speaks
b) not to try and be a clever bugger

Glad to hear the blood counts are behaving and that you're out enjoying yourself.

hannah xx

9:14 am  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Me causing mischief and trouble?! NEVER! He got in free didn't he!
Anyway George it was a fab, fab night...loved your dancing feet! Followed by a fun mini adventure with Bridget Jones headscarfs!!
Katiexxxx

10:35 am  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Oh, George. You know how to put my silly problems in perspective, you really do.

Long live the cancer card!

I hope you don't mind that this made me giggle like a loon.

And, hey, if it made the random feel better about being a prat, then you were doing him a favour. ;)

8:35 pm  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

AWESOME tale!! Serves him right..I would have demanded a drink or two as well?!! Duncan is delighted his gift to you made you look so BUFF that a fella needed such an excuse to buy your night...keen to see your wonderful dance moves I guess(I hope they were truly awful in the usual Nortonesque manner?)! Dunc says it happens to him all the time (but i don't believe him).
Love you lots, v excited to see you next week xx
PS Cousin Robin Lewis, of (the) Requiems, is playing in the Clapham Grand on 13th Sept (may need to check that date on myspace..)

9:18 pm  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

and he only paid for your entrance.....think he got off rather lightly......i don't know,the young of today.....hilx

4:19 pm  

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