Monkey Nuts

Raffles. Takes up an entire city block. Heavy Victorian landmark of its time. Boutique stores ring each balcony, with the hollowness such places exhibit for all their staging and illumination—antiques, dowdy high-end fashion, jewelry, intimidating shop assistants.
         The Long Bar was the destination. Goal: a Singapore Sling. $26 a throw, as advertised on the Net.

         “Monkey nuts" were part of the routine, salted somehow and lightly roasted in their shells it seemed. The husks were tossed onto the marble floor—flung in proper form. A fair dispensation in tidy-town Singapore. The flinging complemented the slinging—both were equally prominent in the Net mention.

         Em had to have a Sling; couldn't go to Singapore without. Being an understanding boy-friend, Neil went along. What was the guide supposed to do?

         One shrewd young couple who had dressed for the occasion sat at table perusing the menu, ate a few nuts and took pics of themselves, before rising and making for the door.

         Filled pretty much; almost entirely with ex-pats. Camera flashes every side. Lots of families, more so than romantic couples. One or two had the Sling ordered for under-age children, precocious girls. 

         Nothing raucous. No hunter-types returned from an outing in pith helmets. (On sale in the Chinatown stalls.) No safari suits. Brash Etonians had moved to the Intercontinental possibly. One Indian family were dressed as if visiting the Maharaja. 

         The monkey nuts were served in wooden boxes filled to over-flowing. Three people might empty the box in little more than an hour and a half if they went about it, had the waiters allowed. Twice our box was replenished, the first time something under half way. Management well knew how best to rid themselves of malingerers sitting on a single drink.
         Chap at neighboring table had a half yard of beer standing almost head high. Abschooner of Tiger, the local brew was $20. Sling or no sling, you were stung at Raffles.
Ticked off now a month in.