The Singapore Times Exclusive: THE ABDUCTION OF RORY DYLAN STEPHEN: DINNER TIME ON THE EASTERN & ORIENTAL EXPRESS
There are two dining cars on the Eastern & Oriental Express. All tables have large scenic windows. I recall the sun setting in the Malaysian jungle as absolutely spectacular.
Fine dining par excellence. I had never seen such opulence both in décor, table settings and presentation of food. Bobby Jr. complimented himself on the selection of wines served with each course. Bobby Jr. had hired the Penny Pensioner, a famous wine writer and adventurer to select the wines. I have a scant knowledge of wine but Bobby Jr. just couldn’t stop talking about the 1982 Chateau Latour with the Wagyu beef.
I was sitting in a special chair beside Sir Nicomshire who hand fed me several strips of the Wagyu and was overjoyed as I hungrily gobbled this incredible beef along with a carrot and small bowl of rice with some delicious Pol Pot Cambodian spring water. Many compliments were directed to me from nearby tables about my impeccable table manners and good looks! As Nicomshire said, “West Highland Terriers are beautiful dogs but Cuddlecakes is exceptionally beyond perfection.”
Madame Fong joined our table for dessert and by her broad smile I could see my relationship with Nicomshire was precisely where she wanted it. Over coffee she patted Nicomshire on the back and said, “Let’s discuss my proposition tomorrow.”
You know that suspicious couple I saw smelling of gunpowder and drinking Budweiser beer at the Piano Bar they continued their bizarre behaviour, at least from my Westie perception, by eating hamburgers with French fries lathered in ketchup. Where are these people from and why are they perpetually staring at Madame Fong and Sir Reginald Nicomshire.
Nicomshire seemed to be fading fast after the three bourbons with his coffee and “retired” to his Presidential cabin early with his tittering much younger lady friend.
Quite frankly I was exhausted and feeling a little off centre with the lurching and jerking of the train. It has a narrow British gauge so you feel the bumps and turns more than you would on a North American train.
The observation car and bar had been transformed into a dance floor. Bobby Jr. met up with Amira his Malaysian girlfriend. The music was so loud it hurt my ears and that keener Amira picked up on that and escorted me back to our State Cabin where Keith had made up our beds and left a radio on with some easy going jazz. Amira said she’d return in an hour as the train would be stopping to pick up fresh fruit and juices for breakfast service and I could do my “business” then.
After my pit stop Amira set me on my bed and I fell into a deep sleep dreaming of our stop tomorrow at Taman Negara National Park a jungle sanctuary for the rare Malay tiger!
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