The old boys had been playing cricket there for what seemed like centuries. Not the same old boys, of course. New old boys constantly replaced those who went to the everlasting cricket pitch in the sky. After a brief moment of mourning and toasting the recently passed, several more new old boys trickled and tottered through the foyer of the club and took up seats not quite cool from the buttocks of those just left.
Well, they must have been playing there pretty close to centuries; the cricket grounds and its adjacent club had been on the same site for well over 100 years. It had seen many a later champion pass through its doors, and was beginning to look a little on the old side. Much like the men who frequented its bar now – telling stories about the ‘good old days’ which really only served to bore the up-and-comers and earn them the occasional free pint.
So when the word went round that the old club was going to have a spruce-up, hats were passed and a frenzied cake-baking began to try and raise funds. One of the priorities, it was decided, was a new chandelier (Lüster) to replace the dilapidated and dull specimen that presently hung over the board room table. It had long since lost its bright and lustrous sparkle, the dust of ages coating it and allowing only the dimmest of lights to weakly brighten the room where decisions were made and motions passed.
New chandelier shopping became the prime focus. The old boys’ old girls were seen darting in and out of light shops in town, comparing notes and prices on light shop business cards over tea and scones. After church, hats were bobbing up and down in agreement and discussion over the vicar’s sermon asking for guidance on choosing the perfect chandelier.
Soon, the chosen chandelier was presented to the board like a bottle of myrrh to the newborn king. The delegated old girl (picked after much discussion and conferencing) carried the envelope containing the chosen store and aforementioned chandelier (kristall-kronleuchter.de) into the boardroom and, eyes lowered to all men in attendance, carefully placed it in front of the chairman and then reverently backed out.
No-one spoke for several seconds, and the envelope sat impatiently on the oak table. Finally, the chairman picked up the envelope and, taking a pearl-handled letter opener, delicately sliced open the paper pocket. There was a collective intake of breath as the announcement was made and then several more seconds of silence.
Gradually, one by one around the table, the old boys slowly nodded their acceptance of the choice. ‘Yes, it was a good decision, the old girls have outdone themselves this time’ they murmured. The murmurs increased and backslapping begun, the men congratulating themselves as though they had made the decision and done the hard work all on their own.
Outside the board room, the old girls sipped tea and let their husbands have their moment of glory.