Medici's Poison

There is folklore of course, about Catherine De Medici 'commanding' the attendance of various foreign ambassadors to breakfast with her at her apartments, during which she has a unique poison fed to them, the antidote for the effects of which only she or her selected agents may administer.

Chicken Provencal and a glass of Pinot Noir

And the idea of this is that unless these 'ambassadors' do what she wants them to have done, or reveals to her what is going to satisfy her by the end of the day usually, then they will be left to die in agony.

Authorities on the relevant history and science though, say that this was all no more than a clever ruse, and that there was in reality, no such poison involved at all. It was mere suggestion.

There is a kind of a poison though, whenever a truly wealthy person 'invites' you to be one of their company at a dinner. There is the sheer attraction of having been invited in the first place - you know, to a really rich person's table!

As far as going somewhere to actually enjoy yourself, I would prefer to go to table (I believe that is the correct English expression for it, mostly used nowadays only by Russians, who are still quite educated...) with a clever host, rather than even a wise host or a particularly wealthy host. Clever, is best when it comes to eating - and to most things that involve the Epicurean impulse at heart.

Knowledgeable and clever.

Wise people might be inclined to restrain the pleasures. Merely wealthy people are boorish, unsubtle, and clumsy.

What shall we talk about?

There's far too much of this chasing after mere wealth, these days.

We need more than wealth!

We need great food. We need Chicken Provencal. And we need Burgundy wine to go with it.

Yep, it's red wine with Chicken Provencal. This you already know, I'm sure.

And we need glamorous women to go with the chicken and the wine.

All these things to entertain us and give us pleasure. Without restraint of any kind. Hot stone massages and perfumed hand towels and the keys to amazing places and amazing things.

Kalifan the Sultan of Genies will provide.

"The key, please -"