One summer, I was the front receptionist for Atlanta’s Omni International Catering Department. One day, I received a phone call from an outside line. I answered, “Hello? Omni International Catering.”
A female voice said, “Hello. I was wondering what entree choices are being served in the main restaurant tonight?”
What? She wanted me to read the entire menu? Like I had time for that? I’ve got to type up this letter for the catering department…I didn’t work for the restaurant.
“Um, hold on a minute, please. I’ll have to get a menu.” I searched for one.
I had a deadline for typing my memo but eager to please. I was in a real hurry as I was reading off the entrees. The main dining restaurant specialized in French cuisine. I took French in high school and college and felt I was pretty good at articulating the accent, but I was in a hurry to finish my work.
I started with the hors d’ouerves and moved on to the soups and salads. Before I hit the desserts, I read the items under entrees. Reading fast and still using my best French accent, I came to one entree that read “Trout Meuniere.” Unfortunately, I had premature articulation and said, “Trout Manure.”
There was silence on the receiving end. Then we both started howling and she said, “You have made my day!”