allow me the pleasure of going back. several years ago, in fact, around seventh or eighth grade, possibly sixth, but if it began that early i cannot be sure.

it was lunch time. as typical of my school the classrooms of three different sections, a, b and c went to lunch at different times. it just so happened that my section was last, and overflowed on to a table that floated separate from the others like an exclusive island.

of course, only the most popular inhabited said island. the table had 8 circle seats that were much too small. i believe on the first day, if memory serves correct, i sat at that table. but of the 8 seats there were 9. i forget what the extra did that day. i think he may have pulled up a chair, or sat at the normal table, with just normal people that were made fun of at this little paradise.

nevertheless, it came to pass that the next day when i arrived at this table, which consisted of what i would at the time have considered friends, all 8 seats were filled. alas, it was voted on in this silent ritual that i would be the one to leave the table, for there were never open seats again.

i went and ate with the normal people, peons of the social world, and found many of them to be most enjoyable. some were even quite funny. so on one particular day of no particular importance, when i was asked if i would like to sit at the highest court of the cafeteria with only the noblest lords, one of who was apparently ill, i deferred. i received a most queer look. it was a hint of "you're joking right?" with a tint of "are you sure?"

they ate with 7 at the table that day, and i made new friends.

and that, boys and girls, is pretty much the story of my life.