Overheard at the pool

[shewhomust]

In the showers, two men were discussing Howard Hughes and the Spruce Goose: "He was mad, like that Richard Branson... He was a visionary."

"Isambard, he was a visionary."

"The problem with him was, he wore a top hat."

And I didn't hear what came next, because I went for my swim.

Comments

[helenraven.livejournal.com]

How could you possibly leave at that point? Or would it have been too obvious that you were eavesdropping? I think calling Howard Hughes a visionary is a bit generous, though I guess it's generally used to mean "obsessive whose values I share or admire" rather than, say, "obsessive who wasted vast amounts of time, money and other people's patience".

[cmcmck.livejournal.com]

Of those three, I'd only agree on IKB- top hat, cigar and all!

[weegoddess.livejournal.com]

How could you possibly leave at that point?

My thoughts 'exactly'. I want to know what happened next!

[asakiyume.livejournal.com]

Priceless. I never knew what a deal breaker a top hat was.

[shewhomust.livejournal.com]

Ah, maybe the two speakers differed on the interpretation of visionary - that hadn't occurred to me.

And yes, it'd have been pretty obvious, I think. Besides, early morning: swim and home to breakfast, no hanging about!

[shewhomust.livejournal.com]

See above. Besides, you are so much better than I am at talking to strangers!

[shewhomust.livejournal.com]

I liked the way he called him Isambard: "Me and Izzy, we're like that..."

[shewhomust.livejournal.com]

Exactly. Maybe I should have hung around to find out why, but I like it just as it is, a not-to-be-debated absolute.

[weegoddess.livejournal.com]

::chuckles:: I meant, I want to know what happened next in the conversation. Are tophats usually so objectionable?

As for talking to strangers, that might be true. But I'm somewhat certain that there's also a cultural influence. Yanks are known for their bold communication approaches, after all.

(intentionally avoiding use of the term 'rude american'?)

[shewhomust.livejournal.com]

Oh, yes, I'm a reserved Brit, I know!

I didn't think top hats were objectionable, that's what caught my fancy about this exchange.

And it made me think of Great (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_%281975_film%29), aa animated biography which shows Brunel as a small man in a very big hat...

[weegoddess.livejournal.com]

"Get a big top hat if you want to get ahead"...;-)

I should watch that movie.

[houseboatonstyx.livejournal.com]

Me too! Dunno from Isambard, but whoever mentioned the top hat, whatever he meant, I'd Friend him instantly.

[houseboatonstyx.livejournal.com]

That, too.

[houseboatonstyx.livejournal.com]

Another good layer.

Your whole event sounds like the opening of a Kipling story.

[shewhomust.livejournal.com]

Thank you.

I wish my mind worked in stories - but all you get with me is these snapshots!