Max and Charles - 4. Dancing Queens

After the ceremony, the wedding party moved to a function room at Bondi Beach. Craig had everything ready when the guests arrived. Justin quickly changed into his black tight fitting pants and black bow tie, but no shirt, and went about his duties as head waiter. As the function room overlooked the beach the permanent decor was inspired by the ocean so, Craig and Justin continued that theme. All the waiters were male and wore only, red Speedos with white bandanas tied around their necks. The waiters served champagne and beer as guests arrived followed by platters of small seafood appetisers.

When all were seated, the bronzed beach boys served the entree. The main course was a buffet. Firstly, three ripped bodies walked out and sat in the lotus position on the serving table. Three more waiters then brought out large trays of various salads and placed them in the laps of the lotus posers. That was followed by two waiters carrying a surfboard with a display of cold meats; then a second offering a display of cold seafood.

During the meal there were a couple of breaks for brief speeches and some anecdotes told by friends of the couple, moderated by their long term friend Roger. Max told of their chance meeting in Hyde Park, all those years ago and Charles added, “It still seems as fresh in my mind today as it was 50 years ago.”

Roger added, “Better write it down before bewilderment kicks in young man. That reminds me about the time you got your first mobile phone.”

“Oh please don’t tell that story.” pleaded Charles.

“Yes, do tell.” one of the guests called.

“Tell us...Tell us...Tell us...” they all chanted.

“How can I disappoint my fans.” said Roger, and commenced his story. “I was working in the local liquor store drive-thru, back then. Charles drove in to purchase a few bottles of his favourite red and while there he proudly showed off his new purchase, his first mobile phone. After he paid for his purchase he left and I went about tidying shelves between serving customers. It was about an hour later when Charles returned in quite a state.‘Whatever’s wrong?’ I asked. ‘I’ve lost my new phone, can’t find it anywhere at home. I must have left it here because I went straight home; didn’t stop anywhere else.’ he told me.

Then I had, what I thought was a brilliant an idea, ‘Give me your number Charles and I’ll call to see if it’s in this area.’ I said. We both heard the phone ringing. ‘You must have dropped it in the car Charles.’ I said. Charles looked in all the storage compartments, then got out of his car and looked in the back and under all the seats, but could not find it. ‘I’ll call again’ I offered. Again we heard it ringing, so we searched the counter and shelves, but could not find it. ‘But it’s got to be here if we can hear it ringing.’ he concluded, then he asked. ‘Is there anyone else working here, maybe one of your assistants found it?’ But I was the only one on duty. So I called the number yet again, heard the ringing and walked around the drive-thru area. Charles followed and wherever we went we could hear the ringing. Then it hit me, so I told Charles if the sound is following us, there is only one place it could be. ‘Where?’ asked Charles. Now tell us Charles, where did you find the phone?”

“In my back pocket.” he said as her turned red faced and the guests roared with laughter.

Music during the meal had been non-intrusive classical pieces that did not overpower the conversation and speeches. When Roger declared the dance floor open and invited the newly married couple to take to the floor, the crowd were expecting, perhaps a Strauss waltz, but that was not the happy couple’s choice. As they walked hand in hand to the centre of the dance floor Roger snapped his fingers and ABBA’s Dancing Queen filled the room with the sound of their favourite song. Max and Charles showed that they still had the moves and were so inspiring that everyone soon joined them.

Again, breaking with tradition, there was no early departure by the newlyweds or throwing of a bouquet. Instead they stayed to farewell their guests and thank the caterers and venue manager. While they were chatting with Justin and Craig, Roger noticed they seemed a little unsteady on their feet and went over, stood between them and took an arm of each for support.

Noticing the situation, Craig asked Roger, “Are they OK to get home?”

“Well in polite company, one might say they were a little tipsy, when in fact they are both completely pissed.” All laughed, then Roger escorted his dear friends down to their waiting limo for the short ride home.

They had especially requested their wedding guests not to bring gifts and were pleased that all who attended the reception had complied. However, on arrival home they found a parcel on their doorstep wrapped in wedding gift paper. Both men had over imbibed on alcohol and were very tired after such an exhausting day so they just placed the parcel on a side table and went to bed.