A Late Night Repast

"Charles," Jamie said, "this place has the best eats in town!"

Charles was doubtful. The place was called something like the "Schwarzman Building, of the NY Publ...." Atmosphere created by columns and low lights weren't his thing. But if Jamie wanted to try it.... well he'd go along with her.

But he did ask, "Is there a gatekeeper to see if you're 'on the list'?"

"Oh I don't know," Jamie replied, with an irritated shake. "Let's just try it."

Jamie was adventuresome. Loved dives down by the docks; risqué visits to Broadway. Tonight, they were on Fifth.

Charles liked plain eats, in good quantities. The burger joints, late in the evening, had always fed him well.

There were too many stairs to the front door, so they sought out a side entrance. Fit into Jamie's sense of adventure anyway.

Once inside, Jamie was awestruck.

"Look at all of this," she cooed. "A feast!"

"Yes," Charles whispered, coming up behind her. "The mood lighting puts me in mind of something else."

"Stop it," Jamie snapped. Then relenting, "dinner before dessert."

"Ok, Ok, since this is your evening, you can make the selections," Charles said.

There were almost too many choices. World regions, historical periods, sections, columns, rows, ....

"Here's something that sounds appetizing," Jamie said.

"What is it?" Charles inquired.

"It's whale, white whale at that," Jamie answered. "Whale could be delicious."

"What's whale?" Charles asked.

"Let's find out," the adventuresome one replied.

Zap, zap, zap, were the last things the couple heard, and felt.

The next morning, Jose and Clara were examining the remains.

"I have to admit," Jose said, "you were right to install the zappers."

"I'm so thankful we did," she responded. "Or these two roaches would have had a meal of our Moby Dick first edition."