OT: A Marine In Paris

[Engineer]

The retired Marine had been out of military service for several years. He had established
a furniture store in his home town and was doing quite well. He decided to expand the
lines he carried by adding some expensive French furniture he knew no one else in town
carried.

He scheduled a buying trip to France. The Marine's first day in Paris was very successful
and he found a number of pieces he thought he could profitably sell back home. After the
arrangements were made to begin shipping this furniture to the USA, he decided to
celebrate with a glass of wine in a small sidewalk cafe.

The place was jammed, but he managed to find an empty table. About the time his wine
arrived, a beautiful girl came by and motioned to the empty chair at his table with a
questioning look. He assumed she wanted to sit with him and nodded his head "yes." The
girl sat down with him. The girl tried to talk to him, but he understood not one word of
French. He tried to talk to her but she understood not one word of English.

He got an idea. He took a napkin and drew a wine glass and a question mark. She nodded
her head "yes." They sat quietly enjoying their wine. When it was finished, the Marine
realized it was nearly time for dinner. He took another napkin and drew a picture of two
people at a table eating dinner. She nodded her head "yes" and took him by the hand and
led him to a very nice restaurant.

They went in. She spoke with the headwaiter and they were seated in a quiet corner where
they could hear the band and see the dance floor. The Marine could not read the French
menu, so he allowed her to order for him. The food was excellent and the couple enjoyed
it.

After dinner, he took a napkin and drew a picture of a couple dancing. She nodded her
head "yes" and they danced to every song the band played, fast or slow. When the band
began to pack their instruments, the couple returned to their table.

The girl took a napkin and reached for the Marine's pen. He handed it to her and she drew
a picture of a four poster bed.

The Marine still wonders to this day how she knew he was in the furniture business.