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"We're going to be living on hotel food through most of this tour," the
security man interrupted. "I rather hoped you could do better than
that."
"Well, we do have one or two pretty nice eatin' places here in the
Quarter," Boo said with a shrug. "Let's see if I can't find somethin'
that'll suit you."
He started off up the street with the others trailing along behind.
"Something a little different, I hope," Lloyd said, raising his voice to
get in the last word. "Lord knows we have enough ordinary
restaurants in England and Ireland."
"I think I know just the place," Boo called back over his shoulder.
"Not too far away,I hope," Liz said, stepping up beside him. "I still
can't believe how hot it is down here."
In truth, she was having difficulty even thinking straight. Within half
a dozen steps of their leaving the studio's air conditioning, she was
drenched in sweat, and things seemed to weave and swim in the
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bright glare. It was like wearing a hot, wet, sweat suit in a steam bath .
. . a very bright steam bath.
"Don't you worry none, darlin'," Boo reassured her. "We'll have you
back inside in a jiffy. It's just around the corner up ahead."
"I feel I should apologize for Mr. Preston," Liz said, lowering her
voice slightly. "He's being a bit of a prig. Not all of us are like that."
"We get people from all over down here." Boo smiled. "Both as
visitors and them that settle down here. Near as I can tell, a certain
percentage of people are light on manners, no matter where they
come from."
In spite of her discomfort, Liz had to smile.
"I never thought of it that way, but you're right. I guess I just worry
too much."
"No harm in worryin'," Boo said. "Just so long as it doesn't interfere
with thinkin'."
Liz shot him a glance, but her partner's face was bland and guileless.
"That's it up ahead," he said, turning to the pair behind them. "It's
new and folks say it's the latest thing. It's called Lucky Chang's."
He started to reach for the door, but Lloyd slid into the doorway
ahead of him and barred their progress with his body.
"Okay, here's how it is," the security man said firmly, glaring down at
them. "I know you're just trying to do your jobs, but the lady here
would just as soon have a quiet meal without too many people
hovering around her. She's going to have plenty of that once we reach
the Superdome. Why don't you two find someplace else to have lunch,
and we'll meet you back at the hotel."
"Now just a minute . . ." Liz began, but Boo laid a restraining hand on
her arm.
"Works for me, he said. "You're sure you can find your way back to
the hotel by yourselves?"
"Positive," Lloyd said, holding the door for Fionna. "If we get lost,
we'll just take a cab."
"Okay. You two enjoy your meal now," Boo called, but the door was
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already shutting behind the pair.
"Well I never," Liz fumed. "I know we were just talking about
manners, but that was rude no matter how you look at it."
"I'd have to say we're lookin' at it the same way, then," Boo said,
taking her by the arm. "C'mon. Let's get you somethin' to eat. There's
a place just across the street here I think you'll like."
Liz glanced at the white-fronted building Boo was steering her
toward, then pulled up short as she caught sight of the sign.
"Antoine's?" she said. "I think I've heard of this place."
"It's been around for a while," Boo agreed, pointing at a sign that
read SINCE 1840. New Orleans seemed to have the same gift of
understatement as Scotland, where a "wee while" could be four
hundred years.
"But isn't it kind of fancy?" Liz hesitated, glancing at Boo's somewhat
bedraggled outfit.
"You forget, darlin'. The Quarter lives on tourist money. Not many
places will turn business away just because they aren't dressed right."
With that, he led the way into the restaurant's cool interior.
Liz still felt slightly ill at ease as she surveyed the rows of tables with
their spotless tablecloths and more than spotless waiters. It certainly
looked like an upscale place.
"Boo-ray! What brings you out in the daylight?"
One of the waiters swept down on them, pumping Boo's hand
vigorously with one hand while pounding him on the back with the
other.
"Hey, Jimmy. Just showing the young lady here a bit of the Quarter,"
Boo said. "She wanted to see the most overrated restaurant we've got,
so naturally I brought her here."
"I'm going to tell Pete you said that," the man said, hastily seating
them at a window table. "You just sit here while I go tell him you're
out here."
"Say, Jimmy. Before you do," Boo beckoned the man closer, "could
you do me a little favor? Call Michelle across the street and tell her to
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give the couple that just came in special treatment. She can't miss
them; the lady has bright green hair. Tell her particularly to pull the
explanation sheet out of their menus."
Jimmy retreated, grinning.
"I take it you're known here," Liz said.
"I drop by once in a while," Boo said with a shrug. "Like I told you,
most folks in the Quarter know each other."
"What was that bit with the `special treatment' for Lloyd and
Fionna?"
"Don't you want them to have a nice meal?" Boo's face was a picture
of innocence.
"Don't be evasive, Boo," Liz insisted. "We're supposed to be working
together, remember?"
"Well, I believe I mentioned that Lucky Chang's was different. Well,
it's not the Chinese/Cajun menu that makes it different."
"Could you clarify that a bit? What is it about the place that requires
an explanation sheet?"
"Mostly, it's the help. Did you get a look at them at all?" [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]