A Fishy Tale

“Jeremy. Sabrina. Welcome my friends, welcome. Come, sit down please. I’m so glad you could make it. Tonight my friends you are in for a treat.”

Anton always gushed, It was one of the things Jeremy hated about him. However, when your best  client asks you out to dinner, you don’t say No. Given the choice he would rather be somewhere else, anywhere other than a Japanese restaurant with Anton.

As they all sat down the waiter appeared with the menus. Anton sent him away.

“Forgive me my friends, I have taken the liberty of ordering for you. Tonight we have a speciality of the house. Believe me you will not be disappointed.”

Jeremy squeezed Sabrina’s hand and she smiled at him. They could get  through this. If it meant the success of their company, they would get through it.

“This is my absolute favourite restaurant,” said Anton.” The chef, Takana, is a god in the kitchen, truly beyond compare “

They sat talking for a while with the couple trying to focus on business. It took fifteen minutes for the first dish to be served. It looked like a large white flower made of white meat sliced so thinly it was almost transparent.

“Well it looks amazing Anton what is it?”

“Fugu sashimi.” Said Anton.” It is a fish dish and truly wonderful. A prime example of Takana’s work. Dig in my friends, enjoy.”

They started to eat. Jeremy was very reluctant. He’d never been a lover of fish. Sabrina was very fond of fish but she really wanted it to be cooked.

As Anton cleared his plate he looked across at his guests, neither of whom had eaten more than half the dish. He looked across at them.

“Well my friends was that not the finest thing you ever tasted.”

“I’m not fond of fish at the best of times.” Said Jeremy.

“Actually Anton I thought it was a bit bland.” Sabrina added. “I don’t really see sliced raw fish as a good example of a chef’s skill”

Anton looked disappointed.

“I’m sorry my friends, I had to know. What you have just eaten is Fugu, otherwise known as Puffer fish. The liver, skin and some other organs contain a nerve toxin so powerful that a single fish could kill 30 people. The chef’s skill is in the cleaning and filleting. It is considered a great delicacy, but I had to know, is it the addrenalin that makes it so. I wanted you to enjoy it. Now I think I am kidding myself. Telling myself it is delicious to justify the risk.”

Jeremy jumped up and grabbed the front of Anton’s shirt.

“You stupid bastard. You fed us poison fish”

“No! No! It’s fine Takana is an expert.”

The waiter came over to check on the situation.

“Everything is fine,” said Anton.” Please pass our compliments to Takana.”

“Takana San not here now. He go home, see his family.”

Anton fingered  his tingling lips.