Remembrances of things past. "Honoured Guest at Top Chinese Restaurant in London!"

The Four Seasons Hotel used to be the equivalent of my private club. On Sherbrooke St. W.

It was my hangout away from my law office. It had a luxurious lobby/living room, with the most comfortable sofas. And subservient , invisible waiters, ready to appear at just a raise of your eyebrow, and take your order.

I was a heavy drinker.....of coffee! And over one cup of coffee - or two and three - in this luxurious space,

I could hold my meetings there. Or just linger and linger and let my eye slowly take in the whole room.

My favorite way of spending time.

One day, it happened. My eye was drawn to two men sitting next to the window where the light was streaming in and engaged in a conversation .

What caught me was the age imbalance... and the power imbalance.

The trim young man was Chinese. Very well groomed. Very poised. Very sure of himself.

The older man was heavy, Quebecois, “unpressed,” a body that hadn’t been touched by exercise,

and looking decidedly uncomfortable. It was very clear where the power lay. And it didn’t lie with him.

The men got up. Shook hands. And the young man passed my sofa on the way out.

Without a moment’s hesitation, I beckoned him over. “What kind of deal were you discussing?

It was obvious that despite the age differential, you were the one who was dominating the show.”

He sat down beside me. And told me his story. He had been sent by his Chinese bosses in London

to open up a restaurant in the Four Seasons.

The bosses themselves had emigrated from China to London, England, started a store selling records of Chinese music, soon recognized where the investment opportunities were, and opened up a chain of successful high-end Chinese restaurants.

Now they were expanding all over the world, and the young Chinese man was sent to Canada as their deal maker.

As he got up to leave, the young Chinese man turned to me with a wide smile and said,

“Here is my card. The next time you are in London, don’t hesitate to call. You will be my guest at our

top restaurant and treated most royally!”

It was soon after that I was in London for the Conrad Black Interview. I called the number of

my “new friend.” The date and time were agreed upon. A taxi was sent to pick me up at my hotel.

And when i arrived at the address, it was like in the movies:

8 people lined up outside the top Chinese restaurant in London, wearing big wide smiles of welcome:

The two owners. Their wives. Two chefs. The maitre d’. And my young Chinese "Four Seasons

deal-maker"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"Honoured Guest at Top Chinese Restaurant in London!"

My young Chinese "Four Seasons deal-maker"... done good!!!!!!!!!!