The Humorous Incident

In a blog post I am writing, and have been writing for a while, I mention The Humorous Incident.

Not the Hilarious Incident, not the SideSplitting Incident, but just a Humorous Incident. As I didn’t want to insert the details into an already lengthy blog, I’ve decided to relate it here.

And thus:

On the 25th of May, 2005 I started a new role, after a promotion. In addition to being Research Manager at the firm I worked for, I had now become Administration Manager.

This had many new responsibilities but the most startlingly obvious one was this: I now controlled kitchen expenditure, including the tea and coffee budget.

I filled in a petty cash voucher and the next day, took a large chunk of cash tea shopping.

I visited one of my favourite tea outlets, and had  a cup of a nice large-leaved Darjeeling.

It was so nice I asked for a kilo.

All talk ceased in the shop.

“A kilo?” asked the shopkeep, being more used to people buying 50 or 100 grams.

Nearby customers tried not to look like they were listening in.

“Yes indeed, Stout Providore” I replied (or something along those lines). “If you actually have a kilo. If it’s not… too much for you”.

The other customers were definitely sensing trouble in the air.

He raise the ante.

“I think I have… TWO kilos”.

Other customers edged toward the door. One got under his table. I wasn’t about to back down.

“Then I might as well have all of it”.

He produced two kilos of a light, airy large leaf Darjeeling in a sealed plastic bag. It looked like a see-though pillow of tea.

“And …” he added whilst the other customers quivered in or under their seats. “I have no brown paper bags left”.

“That’s OK” I retorted “I’ll take it.. as is”.

After this, the tension passed, and the other customers returned to their business, the pianola player started back up, I handed over $126 and departed.

Now, I may have confused some of this transaction with a Clint Eastwood film, but I’m definitely right about the $126. I remember the accounts department in Sydney querying it for months, with stupid remarks like “twice the annual tea budget”. Halfwits.

Anyway, we’re almost at the Humorous Incident.

I then proceeded to walk though the streets of Adelaide with two kilos of Darjeeling in a plastic pillow under my arm.

A gentleman of the hippie persuasion said to me in passing. “Right On, Man, Well Done”.

Obviously a tea fan, I thought.

A moment later a young lady passed me at a crossing. “I think that’s brilliant” she said.

“Wow”,  I thought. “People love tea in Adelaide”

A car went past honking its horn, and four young men within all gave me a thumbs up and yelled something I didn’t quite catch.

I got back to the office somewhat bemused, dispatched a minion to go buy some airtight jars and headed back to my office, just in time to hear the news on the radio.

On Thursday, May 26th 2005 an Australian woman, Schapelle Corby was convicted of drug smuggling in Indonesia after a large pillow-sized bag of marijuana was found amongst her luggage as she entered Bali. It was a controversial case, with various allegations of corruption, dubious behaviour on both sides of the law and the resultant 20 year sentence sent shock waves throughout Australia.

I guess that night, a hippie, a young woman and four young men probably told their friends about the brave protester who was striding Adelaide’s street with a plastic pillow full of marijuana under his arm.