Oliver Benjamin
possible accessory. Cameras, books, flashlights, knives, climbing gear
all hung from the myriad loops and pockets of his vest and belt.
Curious, Roy walked up to the front of the line where the
costumed adventurer was engaged in a lengthy discussion about the
food he was about to eat.
“Okay, so this is injera, you say? Injera?”
The tired server nodded robotically.
“And what kind of graindo you use in injera? Wheat? Barley?
You see, I’m allergic to wheat. I break out in little red bumps and it’s
really a horrific sight, I must say. These pockmarks on my face, some
of them are from when I mistakenly ate some Japanese noodles that
I was assuredwere made from rice. I admit, however, some of them
are from when I had horrific acne as a lad. But I digress. So what
grain is this…injeramade from anyway? Mmm?”
The server quickly took advantage of the pause to bark out “Teff.”
“Teff you say? Teff. You wouldn’t happen to know the genus of
teff, would you?” The server shook his head sleepily. The man turned
to the line of people growing angry behind him. “Does anyone know
the genusof teff? The species, perhaps?”
The crowd collectively sighed.
One man who could take it no more finally yelled from the back
of the line, “Why don’t you just eat! Perhaps you will die. But at least
the rest of us will live!” They all collectively harrumphed in
agreement.
“Oh!” the fat man cried, blushing, “I’m sorry. Was I holding
things up? Goodness, aren’t I embarrassed.” He turned to the server.
“Just a little salad, then.” The server put some greens on his plate. He
looked at them for a moment.
“Washed with purified water, I hope?”
The others wailed in agony.
“Sorry, sorry.”
“Give him some injera too,” Roy instructed the server. He
addressed the man, “If you’re allergic to wheat you won’t be allergic
to teff. It’s gluten-free. An ancient grain, extremely healthy. It doesn’t
grow anywhere outside of Ethiopia.”
The man’s eyes lit up. “Why thank you! Thank you sir! A meal of
substance! You have no idea how hungry I am!”
“I’m afraid I do,” Roy said.
“We do too!” shouted the fellow at the back of the line. He
seemed to have supernatural hearing.
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