Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Hooker for the Barbarians

LISBON - I have been in cell hell many times, when mobile phone yakkers felt secure enough to share information about their lives with whomever was around, whenever the mood struck them. This happened most recently on the otherwise estimable 15 euro hop- on, hop-off big bus tour that takes people around Lisbon. There is nothing more touristy but it gives you the lay of the land in a new place - then you can go back to places you liked.

Anyway, imagine you are inadvertently overhearing hearing this in the middle of an otherwise interesting city tour:

`Hello, Mary, hello, hello. Can I ring you right back? Hello.

`So, you went to the game? How was it? A draw. Well, that is good, iddnt it? I mean, that way nobody wins and nobody loses, everybody happy.

`You will want to see Thomas play next time his team are in town. You know, he has got a new girlfriend, and it must be serious, she is coming over to live with him. Yes, he is playing hooker for the Barbarians. They will be in town on the 5th.

`Thank you, Mary, thank you. Hello? Oh, you are breaking up. Ring you back, luv.´

I believe hooker is a position in rugby, is it not? Of course, in some cultures, hooker for the barbarians has a different connotation, though it may still be classified as a sport.

No comments:

Post a Comment