Friday, May 19, 2006

Bill of Fare

David is absolutely right. If a fellow intends to be truly professional, he ought to have a schedule card of services and rates available.

To that end, I have prepared the following for the ladies I'm hosting on the tour.

Franklin, Your Host for "Islands of Antiquity"
Discreet • Educated • Steadfast

Conversation (prices are per hour)
  • English fiction, history, art history, opera ($2)
  • Shopping and clothes ($2)
  • Parents these days ($5)
  • Your grandchildren ($5)*
  • Previous travels ($5)
  • Your cat(s) ($350)
  • Knitting (complimentary)
We regret that we no longer discuss the Bush administration or your Republican politics under any circumstances.

For parties of six or more, a 15% gratuity will be added.

*If pictures are displayed, there will be a surcharge of $10 per image.

Dancing (prices are per dance)
  • Waltz ($2)
  • Foxtrot ($2)
  • Quadrille ($2)
  • Polka ($2)
  • Texas Two-Step ($2)
  • Lindy Hop ($20)*
  • Mazurka or Tarantella ($50)*
For parties of five or more, lessons in country line dancing can be arranged for a negotiable fee. Before engaging in dances marked by an asterisk (*), customers must present a doctor's certificate of sound health and sign a liability waiver.

Shopping (prices are per hour)
  • For tacky souvenirs ($150)
  • For clothes or jewelry ($35)
  • For books or yarn (free)
Please note that for the 2006 season we are offering an entirely new selection of fitting room compliments, enthusiastic squeals, and reassurances that no, it doesn't make you look at all fat.

Fetching and Carrying (prices are per quarter hour)
  • Purse/handbag holding ($50)
  • Forgotten item retrieval (free up to 1/4 mile, $10 thereafter)
  • Purchase of small items from ship store ($5)
  • Assistance in crossing cobblestones, going up or down stairs, alighting from motorcoaches, etc. (free)
  • Drinks from the bar (ask a steward, it's what they're here for)
  • Diplomatic removal of drunken husband from dining room or bar ($50, plus $50 surcharge for men weighing more than 200 lbs)
Lectures/Demonstrations (prices are per lesson)
  • Basic knitting (free)
  • Basic photography (free)
  • How the heck does this e-mail thing work, anyway? ($150)
Other
  • Harmless flirtation is always complimentary. However, as your host is queer as a three dollar bill, we recommend that you inquire of the concierge should you desire actual rumpy-pumpy.

38 comments:

  1. This is absolutly precious! And I'm assuming these are being engraved on what - white or eggshell linen stationary?

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  2. Now if a steward should want some "rumpy pumpy"?

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  3. Anonymous12:31 PM

    RUMPY PUMPY?

    (snort)

    have never thought about it this way.......

    what would miss manners say about your "bill of fare"?

    have a great weekend; I can't wait to see what happens next!

    anne marie in philly

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  4. No tango?

    Oh, and how about lessons in drawing sheep? Sell your strengths!

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  5. WTF is rumpy pumpy? Oh, nevermind, my slow mind required spelling it out. Goodness.
    Kids these days.
    >sigh<

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  6. Actually, you're pretty cheap on the grandchildren thing. ou may be makin' some yarn money on this trip...

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  7. "Queer as a nine Bob Note" here ..as there were ten shillings in the lowest note ..but still weird.That was so wonderful ..glad to hear talking knitting is free .The last time I danced The Polka I was 13 and had to stand on my Polish friend's father's feet.

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  8. Franklin, I have a question for you but couldn't locate your e-mail address (the butler has a paper fetish and refuses to let me read your visiting card. I suspect he hordes invitations, too). Would you mind weighing in on how to properly inscribe a book? My question is posted here: http://visit.freecia.com/archives/2006/05/emily_post_fran.php

    Really appreciate your input. My local gay men were able to advise me on the etiquette of gay bars, but I'm not ready to comb the Castro district for the queer who happens to have his Emily Post with him.

    BTW, one is better off inquiring with the secondary waiter or busboy for rumpy pumpy.

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  9. Anonymous1:03 PM

    Well, damn! I should have hired you for my class reunion last weekend. At least you would have been able to waltz, presumably would have stayed sober for 90% of the weekend, and would have been happy for a side trip to Webs.

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  10. Will Dolores be sharing her rate card as well? I'm sure that the gentlemen on the tour will require entertainment as well.

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  11. I think you're selling yourself short on the conversation....

    Does Dolores have a bill of fare, too?

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  12. Anonymous1:23 PM

    Franklin, I think I may have a crush on you.

    I don't care how much it costs me.

    LaurieM

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  13. Hmmm I'll take forgotton item retrival and some gratutious yarn/knitting talk and throw in some flirting just for fun..hehe we can pretend I still have it??
    cute!
    Denise
    knitchat.com

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  14. "we recommend that you inquire of the concierge should you desire actual rumpy-pumpy"

    Dear Franklin. You owe me a new laptop because all of the water I just spit taked over mine cannot have been good for the circuitry. Love and kisses, The Yarnpirate

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  15. Anonymous1:35 PM

    Major ROFL here!!!! Ah, do we dare ask about the particulars of offerings from Dolores? Maybe not....

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  16. This has to be the most inspired post I have read in awhile.

    You forgot to include guest blogging on your rate card, as I would be the first to hire you to make me sound so witty and clever.

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  17. Anonymous1:40 PM

    Sir, I salute you.

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  18. Rumpy-pumpy. *hee hee* I'm going to use that in conversation. Soon.

    I also think you didn't go high enough on the grandchildren.

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  19. You should have mentioned that clients could also pay you in yarn ;)

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  20. Geez, guy, how do you THINK of all this great stuff? I don't even want to consider how many keyboards you have been inadvertently responsible for short-circuiting today a la the Yarnpirate.

    Way. To. Go.

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  21. Anonymous2:13 PM

    Franklin, I love it, you are so out of your mind!

    But, I gotta say this. Re-think the free knitting demo, as when their memory goes, so may your patience, when you're asked to "show me how to cast on, I forgot," for the seventh time ("what happened?" "I took it off, it didn't look right, then I forgot.").

    And, as all the husbands may be over 200 lbs., bump up 20lbs extra on the rowing and bench press, before you leave.

    BTW, how much would you charge to find dentures?

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  22. Anonymous2:14 PM

    Did you get all that on one buisness card??

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  23. I truly, truly love you.

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  24. Very practical. So much better when it's all spelled out. What's the yarn exchange rate on the ship?

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  25. Hilarious! Though you really ought to charge a lot more for discreet removal of drunken spouse, that could get messy. And I'd charge a lot more for the "grandchildren" talk.

    So, does Dolores have a rate sheet too? (The very thought boggles the mind...)

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  26. Anonymous3:06 PM

    Oh darlink! You are selling yourself too short - you need to double those fees, especially if you are forced to listen to medical issues for long periods of time.

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  27. Brilliant! Look everyone, I'm a muse, I'm a muse!

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  28. Oh I love it......love it.......
    It's one of those accordian fold wallet thingies right???
    Wonder where I could find some "rumpy pumpy"..

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  29. Anonymous3:36 PM

    I adore your writing as always, but the fact that you use one of my favorite phrases (a bit of rumpy-pumpy), I'm fairly smitten!

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  30. I'm keeping the price sheet. You're worth it at double or triple the fees.

    You're also hired for my next vacation. Next time I want to go on a yarn crawl, go to a museum, or art exhibit, I can let my husband wander off and you and I will go.

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  31. I think your fares seem very reasonable, considering some of those things can take quite a bit of time, after all. More than fair pricing. As Elizabeth mentioned, did Dolores have any suggestions on pricing or other services that should be considered? I mean, if anybody would know that sort of thing, SHE would. ;-)

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  32. What if you have a three dollar bill?

    Just curious ;>

    You're WAY undercharging for discussions about children and pets. Personally, I'll pay you not to discuss my child. For the love of God, that's why I go on vacation. To be away from home. Including said child.

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  33. Oh boy, that is too funny! I wonder what kind of gratuities Dolores makes?

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  34. Anonymous8:10 PM

    I am starting a special saving account so some day I can pay your way here and I can afford yoour services.

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  35. Anonymous10:00 AM

    My SO did a similar tour of the Mediterranean a few years ago; his anecdotes would suggest you need another conversation category on the lines of "What a cutup you were when you were in college, ($500)."

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  36. Franklin, I think I am gonna abduct one of those old ladies and put myself in her place. I LOVE your list!

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  37. Well, I do not actually imagine it is likely to have effect.

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