TRUE STORY

LONDON 1973

Lucy FB-1-V FPE

Lucy in a large suitcase, an attache case for me, dark suit and black overcoat, looking every inch a business executive, I took the mail boat to Britain this 16 November to what turned out to be one of the best weekends of 1973.

After a few hours of sailing and a one-hour train I arrived at London-Victoria Station. Jacqueline, social coordinator of the British Beaumont was supposed to meet me. Since I had a picture of her, recognition would be easy. I had no problems, as I was greeted by a real welcome committee headed by Virginia herself, Jacqueline and Helene from our French group who arrived somewhat earlier.

A little more waiting and two other members of our French group arrived Jeanne, our president, and Francoise. Thus a little group of half as their brothers and the other lucky ones already dress-

six FPs ed.

Piling up in the car, we went off to the hotel. The dinner meeting was at 7:30 p.m. and we were told how to get there and then the French group was left on its own.

Francoise and Jeanne having to shop, we decided that we had enough time on hand and went out as our brothers, took a taxi and went downtown. Shopping over, peak hours, no taxi, so at my advice, we took the underground, first in the wrong direction, then the wrong line, so that we spent nearly 45 minutes for a trip that is normally ten minutes.

Now we had to dress in a hurry and you know what happens in such circumstances, the application of Murphy's Law: "If something can go wrong, it will."