Day 68: Be A Man.

My boss who I like to call in my head, Tom Hanks had invited me to a little going away dinner to say thank you for my time at his company and to wish me luck with my future. We went to Maison de l'Aubrac in the 8th for steak, red wine and aligot; a heavily purée of mashed potatoes and cheese that you might as well slather on your outer thigh because that is surely where it will end up. Tonight, I was going to eat like a real man. I'm pounding my chest right now. 
The restaurant decor is raw, like a ranch somewhere in the back country side of France with somewhat disturbing with portraits of farmers posing with their live cattle. Tom Hanks couldn't resist commenting on who was going to taste the best which lead me to express distaste for seeing images of my food; back when it was alive. He retaliated that 'they'; as in the cows, should be happy that they got a picture of themselves immortalizing their lives in a Parisian restaurant. 'Before being slaughtered.' I added. He then rubbed his hands together asking what looked good on the menu? I stared at him, I'm sure that's what 'they' are or were happy about, their glamour shots. I'm going to miss Tom Hanks.
After the wine came, we took our first sip and the brief silence inspired Tom Hanks to give me his review of Sébastien whom he had met last week. "I didn't like his handshake" he said. "And his shoes were too white." The shoes, I love and wouldn't expect Tom Hanks to appreciate them but the handshake? I for one, hate a weak handshake and was a little disappointed when he demonstrated what his handshake felt like. Something what I would imagine the Downy Fabric Softener Bear would produce. Fluffy air. And being at a steakhouse brought out my carnal desire for a manly man and started banging my fork and knife on the table for emphasis. "What are you doing?" he asked. 
Just as our tender slices of sizzling, bloody Sirloin came wafting to the table, Monsieur Flâneur's childhood best friend of 25 years, Jacques walked in with his new girlfriend. I had not seen Jacques since the surprise birthday party I threw for MF in February which was a few weeks before he had broken up with me. Our eyes met and he came over to the table and to say hello. I got up and nixed the Parisien double kiss and gave him an American style hug which always throws people off a little but he got on board and reciprocated. He asked me how everything was while he affectionately held my hand. I always liked Jacques, he was my favorite friend of MF, so I didn't take his concern as condescending. I was honest and said that things had been just ok and was going back to The States to regroup and recharge for a few weeks and was unsure about my return. He nodded his head knowingly. I then introduced him to Tom Hanks who I could sense ready to eat and wrapped up the conversation. Jacques had told me to e-mail or call him whenever I wanted and that there was no reason that we couldn't keep in light contact. I thanked him and wished him a Bon Appétit and smiled warmly at his girlfriend before they found their table. 
As Jacques had walked away and Tom Hanks had already started on slicing into his steak "Now there's a guy with a good handshake." he said while pointing his knife in the direction of Jacque's table. "A real business man. But he sort of looks like Mr. Bean, can't win them all." Again, I'm going to miss Tom Hanks.
Maison de l'Aubrac
37, rue Marbeuf
75008 Paris