|
An Initiation and Banquet, Jeoffrey Douglas, Cascadia Pro-chapter, 2000. A typical San Francisco summer night it was, cool, crisp and with a clear night sky, perfect for a drive to the Russian River not far from the city. Arrival for the banquet being completed and everyone in readiness, we filed into the room which was decorated with a long table, pale green tablecloth and a floral arrangement with a skull as the centerpiece. The appetizer course began with deviled eggs and paté of deviled meats. With this course Deuvil Beer was served, chosen because it has a devil on its label (and because it goes down so WELL). Toasts were offered between each course. These consisted mostly of high blown estimates of our own worth as well as the low standing of those not having the T.N.E. experience that evening. The second course was Chicken Diablo served with ‘dirty’ rice and spiced corn. More toasts, (lewd, crude and socially undesirable). Third was a deviled ham with a flambé sauce of brown sugar and raisins with brandy served in thin slices and accompanied by perfectly ripe mango. More toasts, (now downright rude). The wine for the rest of the dinner turned out to be Castello Del Diablo a wonderful Chilean wine of assertive character, (amusing, but unprepossessing in its presumption). Next came a delicate set of shrimp sizzling in a hot pot with melted garlic butter and lots of crusty bread. This was named : Hades Prawns, but despite the red pepper, they were really from heaven. More toasts, (now getting a bit loud and raucous). Now a salad made of Lobster (cold) and mayonnaise sauced with yummy stuff and shaped into a Dias de las Meurtes skull mold and well chilled, with accompanying toast points. More toasts, (downright filthy). A cheese course was brought out and knowing which way the wind blows was essential for they truly smelled hellish but disappeared with the speed of light down the already well-filled gullets, followed by wheatmeal biscuits and served with fruit. A woozy and raucous toast offered here. Finally a dessert tray was produced and the contents presented to all. Creamed ‘Horns,’ Devil shaped and decorated cake (devilsfood of course) and individual chocolate skulls made of Belgian chocolate with red and green miniature M&M’s for eyes. Many fine liqueurs were presented finally and a hearty toast was made to the last few minutes spent as those ignorant of the mysteries. HELL WAS EMPTY BUT THE DEVILS WERE All PRESENT. The candidates were taken out of sight to a van where they were assured of good faith and asked a final time if they were willing to go further. With this assurance I told them I would return for them, and that meanwhile they should contemplate their fate. And here we cut off the rest of the tale.
The National Organization of the Alpha Chapter of Theta Nu Epsilon 1999 - 2009 © All rights reserved.
|