The laughter ended around 8 pm when I was handed my card and the waiter reported that it had been declined. That feeling you get in your gut when you have to look around the table at all the people staring back at you and you have no idea what to do.
Grab another card...
Write a check...
Accept help from the rich, stuffy guy you've been competing with all your life...
I called the card. "What are you trying to do? You've embarrassed the hell out of me!"
Their apologies were welcomed when they realized that my card number had been used online for a series of transactions that couldn't possibly have been me. Transactions took place in New Mexico and I obviously wasn't there.
My card was straightened out while I was on the phone and...I paid for dinner.
I came back to the table to hear the stuffy guy say, "Are you sure you don't need any help?"
"No. I got this. I called the company and they realized their error. I took care of the bill." Just then, the waiter came to me with my card and the ticket. I signed and he walked away. Victory!
On a side note: I don't hate the stuffy guy. He's a friend of mine. But, it's that attitude that rubs me the wrong way at the wrong time. Don't you have a friend like that?
