BBM Europe Trip: Day 6

The last day of the show was without major incident. JK and I attended a VDI Best Practices presentation, in which there were a few new nuisances, but most of the detail work CCT has been promoting for quite some time.

I spoke at length with a member of VMware's Field Staff from Germany about their brokering technology, experiences providing Professional Services for European vs. US markets and where they are seeing good adoption in his region. Good conversation with a nice guy --fortunately it was in English, or we might be at war with Germany again, given my skills in their native tongue.

Now on to the last story of the trip --stick with me, it is a long story but I think worth it.. After booth teardown, the team all went out for drinks before TH had to leave for London. We go out to a pub then head back to the hotel after TH's departure and agree to meet up later for our last meal together in France -- and my first truly French meal.

We finally rally at about 10:30PM for dinner and find an absolutely charming little restaurant in the west end of Cannes and sit down to a good meal. After three quality courses filled with great conversation, SK and SJ head back to the hotel as they have an early flight the next morning. Now JK and I are left to our own devices.
A little background on JK: He is American born, living in London, married to a French woman who's family lives roughly 30 minutes from Cannes. He is fluent in French, and somewhat familiar with the town and absolutely the life of a party with strangers -- fearless and a very nice guy. Needless to say, this made him an excellent "Sherpa" for me in the south of France.

We decide to stay at the restaurant for a nightcap. When asked what I might want, I drew a blank -- big mistake. It was suggested that I try the regional liqueur (French name escapes me). Apparently, each region of western Europe have a distinct liqueur (for instance, grappa in Italy). Think regional European moonshine and you have the idea. At this restaurant, It is recommended with a Cappuccino -- so think, drink a coffee, do a shot of moonshine. Gasoline without the good aftertaste. I only did one, but it was enough. P-L-E-N-T-Y.

After an nice conversation with the chef and his friends, we were off to the next bar -- Morrison's, an Irish pub in town and had a pint. After last call, one of the doormen recommended another "after hours bar" and gave JK directions.

We arrive, and it looks to be a gentlemen's establishment. On the walk over, I receive a phone call from one of my co-workers and upon arrival at the bar, I loiter outside to complete the conversation. Whilst loitering, I see signage on the outside of the establishment with numerous pictures of only one voluptuous woman. I think to myself, "Wow, she must be something special, to have her own club?!?!?". Looking at the photos further I sense there something unusual about her pictures, but cannot place it. I complete my phone call and with some coaxing, I agree to go in… not to portray myself as some sort of angel, but I tend not to frequent gentleman's clubs for many reasons. Not the least of which, I have promised my wife I would keep these visits to a minimum, which is no great hardship , considering I am freaking cheap and they are where spending money goes to die. So, as mentioned, with coaxing, I am convinced to go in for one beer and a bathroom run. John heads to the restroom and I buy the first round -- 19 Euros for 2 Heinekens or roughly $28 for two metric beers smaller the a standard 12oz you might find in the states... May the sodomy begin. We start talking and take notice that there are very few women walking the floor, which is atypical in gentleman's clubs, but there is a stage.

We sit in the club, discussing various items and taking stock of the room. -- 15 or so young men, probably 3 women, but each of the women dressed as one might dress having just completed a shift at said establishment. As I look around, I notice a few men are sitting closer than one might find in an establishment of this kind in the states. I make note of this, but dismiss it as a "European thing". I also notice at the bar, a young man with a ridiculous amount of face makeup talking to the bartender.

****Crrreeeeeeaaaaakkkkkk ****

The wheels of my brain start to break loose from their French grappa induced stupor and think, "Could this be……..?" I ask JK, and we both take a deeper assessment of the room. During this time, Mr. Makeup apparently made his way backstage and the stage curtain was drawn closed again. We notice the activity behind the curtain and our nervousness begins to rise. What in the hell are we about to witness? Queue the music, the curtains draw open and out marches (literally marches) Mr. Makeup resplendent in Marcel Marceau's mime sailor suit and ensign's cap and he begins to sing at which time, every guy in the place jumps up as though a touchdown had been scored.

I turn and look at JK and the fight or flight look on his face, which I am sure mirrored mine, is something I will take with me to my grave -- absolutely hilarious!

We immediately bolt off to the coat check to leave. We enter the 3 foot by 6 foot space of the entrance/coat check where the doorman/coat-checker/bouncer is arguing in some Eastern Bloc language with another man who smelled of pastrami and ass. I think to myself, "If these two come to blows, knives or guns, and I am offed collaterally, what will be the story my family receives upon my demise? Killed in the coat check of a gentleman's gentleman's club. Nice.

Finally we collect our jackets and roll out of there laughing our fool heads off. I go back to the sign and notice this time, Mr. Makeup is actually dancing in one of the pictures with said voluptuous women. It is also then I realize what it was in her pictures I found odd… her subtle adam's apple.
JK attempts, nobly, to get me to attend another club (this time known for women) with him to "cleanse the palette," as it were. I respectfully decline and let him know that is was my wife's way of telling me I shouldn’t' have gone in the first place. He agrees and we head off to our respective hotels to sleep off the booze for our morning flight to Heathrow together.

I have uploaded the remainder of unposted pics from the trip. I also consolidated them into a single group on Flickr, and they are sorted by Date Taken so you should be able to jump ahead to any you have missed. Enjoy!

BBM and mgr Signing off from the La Cage a Foilles (yes he was there, sorry, no pics.)