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Blogs by Paul Cuenco
My Roman Holiday
2/14/2012 11:04:53 PM
It started of when I was looking for my hotel in the Spanish Steps area of Rome. I met a guy who said that he wanted to go to a disco right at the door to my hotel. I was intrigued by the prospect for throughout my trips to Europe, I realized that I have not been to a disco; not even in Amsterdam where the famous disco, Melkweg or Milky Way, was. (That was years and years ago. And I goggled it and it was still there. Showed and felt the age.) So, I agreed and told him to wait for me as I checked in and deposited my baggage in the hotel.
We promptly entered a disco nearby, by the Trevi Fountain and as we entered I noticed men in suits lounging around with girls. Two girls met us and the conversation began in earnest. We separated but my companion took a seat nearby where he was just a stone’s throw away. As I ordered my Screw Driver, my female partner started ordering drinks I think she could not afford. I did not touch what she ordered for it seemed that I might be responsible for it. She ordered small munchies and delicate sandwiches. Definitely, she ordered a feast for herself while I cradled my one Screw Driver for a while. We talked about non-sensical things I tend to forget the next day. Then I looked around. Some of the men, who I think were mainly American businessmen, were already dancing. They were definitely having fun while I was getting nervous of what her designs were.
It was not even an hour when my companion, who I barely knew, said that we should add up how much the damage would be and I agreed (for I only had my one Screw Driver.) When the bill came, I was surprised and shocked to learn that I owed the establishment $500.00. Five hundred dollars for one Screw Driver! No, no, no, the waiter said. It was all the things the lady ordered (in Italian-English.) And I said, “…then why don’t you charge her. She ordered them anyways. I only had my one Screw Driver.”
The lady I was conversing with and the gentleman who befriended me earlier were there. But they did not do anything. Of course, why should they? I figured that they were in cahoots with the proprietor of the bar.
Soon, I was making a scene. They called the manager and I was ushered nearer the bar so he and I could talk. So he started wringing my neck for $500.00. I said that I didn’t have any money. I am a student and I have to return to Amsterdam, still. I wondered if he believed me but that didn’t matter. I insisted that I didn’t have any money…but he would not let me go. I said that he should call the police. I did not order the drinks and expensive sandwiches and that this should be reported to the police. Still I could not let him off my back. So I dug deep into my pocket and produced a $50.00 bill. I said “…take this $50.00 or leave it. (I don’t know why I didn’t just walk away. Perhaps, I would have been beaten up. But I was young and stupid anyway.) He snatch the $50.00 from my hand and said, “…ahh, go.”
Well, I left the place, glad that no one was after me. I had $10.00 more in my pocket for a meal at a McDonalds.
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