This never happens at home

Last night, I put in a long day at HBU and was still facing a couple of hours of work once I got home. I absolutely had to get dinner and had worked past serving hours on campus so I went to the local IHOP. As I was ordering, the four gentlemen at a nearby table broke into song. They were barbershoppers!!!

I thought I was in for some dinner music, so you can imagine my disappointment as they got up to leave. But before they did, they sang another song for their waitress, Kimberly. I suppose it would be more accurate to say they "performed" another song, because that was certainly the case. The bass ended up on one knee in front of her. Of course, everyone in the restaurant applauded. Off they went to pay their bill and I was sure I would hear Muzak for the rest of my time there.

Not so. A family of four came in the door as the quartet members were waiting for their change. That family's entrance was all the inspiration these four needed for another song to welcome them to the restaurant. I thought that would surely be the end of the quartet music because these four were practically out the door.

Surprised again! They noticed two little girls sitting at a table. These girls were twins! Since one of the barbershoppers was also a twin (or so he claimed) that was reason enough to come back into the restaurant for another song. This time it was He's Got the Whole World In His Hands and this was an opportunity for an education. They sang the song, then the bass sang his part, then the high tenor, then they put them together for a duet. Next it was the baritone's turn and finally, the lead tenor joined in. The whole quartet was together again.

That was it - the last song. The Barbershop Quartet left after that song, but they left me feeling good and ready to face transcribing my notes from the day and getting ready for the next one.

Thank goodness I sat in the non-smoking section!