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Most waiters sport black and white uniforms which can be tricky for patrons who report to pubs in the same colour theme.
And it so happened that Owish sauntered sporting a pair of black trousers, white shirt and black sleeveless V-necked sweater at the local.
He resembled a Starehe Boys Centre and School prefect minus a black tie. That Owish was perched at the counter did not make matters easier for four newcomers who did not know that Nyambu was the counter girl who served as the waitress, pub usher, janitor and customer relations person, although the local hardly needs one.
They all thought Owish was a wayward waiter drinking during working hours. “Wewe waiter...you think we have come here to buy nails...mmmh?” one said pointing an accusing finger at Owish, then sipping his tots of Johnnie Walker double-double like the Real Kahuna.
Owish momentarily thought the newcomers were talking to Nyambu who was then missing in action.
The thirsty patron rose and angrily continued: “Wewe waiter...masikio iko kwa armpit ama nini, mtu wangu?” Owish shot the guy one dagger look and asked: “Are you talking to me?”
The guy looked at his comrades-in-thirst, smiled sheepishly and retorted: “Kwani who is dressed like a waiter here kama si wewe, mtu wangu?”
His eyes turned red, his dark complexion blue. Owish then choked on his Johnnie Mtembezi which splashed on his white collar as he tried to fathom how a stranger could mistake him for a waiter.
Nyambu ambled in and asked, “Mtakunywa nini?” and it dawned on them why Owish was fuming, the veins on his temple throbbing and his chest heaving.
The newcomers ordered a bottle of Tabitha (Summit) each, upon which Owish instructed Nyambu: “Give them four each mpaka niende!...and bill me, sweetheart!”
There were six bottles waiting for action and after finishing one beer each, Owish ordered another round of four for them. There were 28 bottles competing for space.
“You cannot mistake a learned friend like me for a waiter!” Owish reminded them every five minutes, before leaving them with his business card that read: Petero Owino Petero, Kanyadudi & Kanyadudi Advocates, Commissioner for Oaths/Notaries Public.
For his ego that is the size of a small Pacific island, Owish was left with a Sh5,760 bill!
