The evening was quite long and personally, I was ready to go home afterwards, but Dr. Lyle’s guests were Fred Khan, the owner of Khan Optical in Toronto, and Dr. Tom Norquay, who had interned with Dr. Lyle a couple of years earlier. Fred Khan always loved to go out for Chinese dinner late at night, when he came to Winnipeg. I was invited to join these three, tired as I was.
In a few moments, I was tuned up and ready. Tommy selected his position as drum major and led the way throughout the restaurant, and back to the kitchen, where we continued. It wasn't quite as easy as that, for the chief cook was standing in the centre aisle of the kitchen waving his hands, and calling out, “Stoppie! Stoppie!” Tommy directed the parade all the way through and back into the restaurant where many late diners were seated. Beckoning them as we marched past their tables, he added them to our increasingly long line. A second tour was made to complete our unscheduled parade. Once again, the chief cook was there to welcome us and Tommy directed the parade through the kitchen regardless of the cook’s expression of disrespect.
When our parade came to the end, back in the restaurant, and all the diners were resuming their places, I asked Tommy why he supposed the cook was so eagerly trying to have us stop playing when we were doing so well. He replied, “He was only afraid we were going to line everyone up in the restaurant and march them outside, and they wouldn't have to pay their bills." We had no such idea, but apparently, that’s what the cook thought we might do. Everyone else, however, enjoyed the entertainment.
It's amazing what you can get away with doing when you are playing bagpipes. No other instrument has the same effect. Or maybe it's just the 'impact' of seeing a guy in a kilt....! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Hugh, for your comment. Those folks in the restaurant seemed really happy to participate in the parade. I'm sure they would have witnessed other similar parades but ones more sophisticated. They wouldn't have realized at the time that others who are well recognized would have marched behind the very same piper, and before well-wishing folks celebrating their arrival at the function. There have been governor generals, lieutenant governors of the province, members of the royal family, dignitaries at head tables, inductees into the Blue Bombers Football Team's Hall of Fame, and color guards for many Remembrance Day Memorials. Piping in the bride at her wedding, playing for funerals, birthday parties and church services have all been part of the serious piping of the piper behind whom they were marching through the kitchen.
ReplyDeleteA little fun mixed with serious business is the essence of real enjoyment as a piper. Being dressed in the kilt simply adds to the formality, whether it's for piping in the dignitaries or those dining out in a fancy restaurant. I really appreciate your comment, Hugh, because it reminds me of the many great times I've had doing what I like best to do. Keith