BAGLETT P.I.

The introduction of Old Man River went fairly well and I have to commend the friends on being relatively well behaved. I owe it to my stern briefing (see Old Man River) and the threat of revealing all their secrets. Not that I haven't revealed all of them already but that's the bonus of having friends who drink heavily, they can never remember what they've told you in the first place.

Apart from one mortifying incident when Old Man River walked down the stairs and I immediately rushed to the girls to ask them what they thought. The person who was walking down the stairs was in fact, NOT Old Man River but the BFFs dad. Old Man River was casually leaning against the pillar behind me. Praying that the only senses he had left were touch and smell, I turned to him while he smiled back and said, 'Yes, please do tell'.

Not ideal. I acted completely normal and said that if he found it necessary to listen to my every word, could he turn his hearing aid down while I'm talking about him.

One thing has been bothering me though. Since I was hammered when I met him, I can't remember if I asked him what he did for a living. And since my old years resolution is to stop repeating stories and asking the same questions within the period of five days, I've had to rely on my Inspector Morse type abilities to work out what he does to earn money.

Me: Soooooo how was your day? (Always start with general questions to gain perspective)
OMR: Cool, I had a good surf.
Me: Anything else? (Probing. I'm probing here)
OMR: Took the dog for a walk.
Me: And tomorrow? (Relentless)
OMR: I'm going to Durban.

From my serious detective work, I have deduced that he travels around the country as a pro surfer and moonlights as a dog walker.