Dinner with Fred.

Fred, an associate from Arizona, was in town last week for VIAD 2.0. We decided to have lunch at my favorite place in town - Amore's Taste of Chicago:

"The place sure looks different with the expansion." Amore's Taste of Chicago is a place I hold near and dear to my heart. I worked there a few years way back when and I still love her like she is my own - "Yeah, it definitely looks bigger. Not as intimate as when I worked here," I comment to Fred as we are being seated.

We take a few minutes and thumb through the menu. It was pointless, we already knew what we were going to order - "Give us two dinner salads and a medium pepperoni with extra mushrooms," the waitress asks what kind of dressing we would like for our salad - "Two ranches both on the side," I add before Fred can say anything - "Just water for our drinks - Sweetie," I add before she can ask.

"That girl is kind of cute. Do you think she would make a good girlfriend?" I ask him as we watch our waitress walk towards the bar - "She would probably make a good girlfriend for you if you were twenty years younger. How old do you think she is? Twenty two, twenty three." I thank Fred for reminding me of my age - I then ask - "Are you having fun on your tour? Are you finding it informative?" He tells me that I am a very interesting person and have a unique outlook on what the future will resemble. I tell him - "Thanks, I think?"

Our food arrives and we keep the conversation to a minimum while devouring it. After finishing...he says - "Someone is a Cub's fan." He was referencing the back wall of the establishment - which has multiple murals depicting the Cub's world series win last season. "Do you think the Royal's can pull it out this year? Win one more before they break to band up?" I ask quizzically. Fred is an intense Royal's fan, and has been for many years - "I don't think so," he tells me as he waves our waitress over - "They sure are exciting to watch though. Who knows? Maybe we will see a Royal's versus Cub's series. That would sure be fun."

As we are leaving we run into Rick. He is the brother of Joe (owner) - "Are you having fun in our grand city?" He asks Fred as I introduce the two - "We just cruised around and looked at the landscape; we are eating at the finest pizza joint in town for lunch; the Royal's are a game out. I tell you we are having more fun than should be allowed," is his reply. He smiles at both of us and says - "It was good to meet you Fred. I will see you around Mr. Village Idiot." As we are pulling out of the parking lot...Fred comments - "That guy Rick we just met. He seems like an interesting guy." I shake my head, laugh and say - "You have no idea good sir." He then pulls on to Durango and we head south for two blocks before turning west on Flamingo.