Years and years ago ... I guess it would have been here in Houston ... Mom and Dad were visiting and there was a bridge tournament going on. Probably a Regional, like we've got coming up in another week or two.
In those days, Men's Pairs and Women's Pairs were scheduled as two of the events, both occurring on the same day (two sessions). Mom and I, I think, were going to be playing in the Women's, but Dad was still looking for a partner for the Men's when it came to be game time and he had not been unsuccessful.
And so, he was planning to kibitz in the Men's Pairs when over the loudspeaker came the announcement, "We need a woman to complete the Women's Pairs. Our expense." Silence in the room as everyone looked around, expecting a woman to walk on up to the Director's desk and offer her services.
No one did. Finally, the director asked, "ANYone??" My dad went up to say he was available, but there was no way he could ever be considered a woman. LOL
He was pressed into 'duty' and for two sessions he was met with looks of surprise and more than a few grins. He had a lot of fun with it. Even borrowed someone's scarf, as I remember, and would introduce himself at each new table with, "Just call me Raymonda." (His name was Raymond.)
I hadn't thought about this in YEARS, but today was reminded of it when - in cruising BBO tables for people looking for partners - I came across one person who stated, most emphatically, "NO WOMEN" ... rrvit!
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6 comments:
That's a great story! And what a great sport your dad was...
He would have played bridge, Bug, "until the cows came home", but it IS a great story. He repeated it often over the years. SO glad I was reminded of it!
Were you in town when the Studio's Monday and Friday clubs, exclusively women at one time, started to allow men to play? The Studio was in financial trouble and thought this would bring in additional income. The result was first a drop in total attendance since many women didn't want to play against men, but finally the desired result was achieved and attendance did increase. Within a few years a man was actually elected president of the club. So glad those single-sex events are no longer part of our regionals.
Yes, I was in town at that time, Arlene. This was also when the Thursday night game was the biggest in town, and my regular partner was Ken Altvater. Boy, did we ever have fun!
I miss Ken. What a dear, caring person.
This is a great story, Goldenrod.
Hmmm...thinking of other possibilities had he been named something else...
William - Willamena
Bob - Bobbie
um. Not coming up with any others, lol. Good thing he was named Raymond. :)
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