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My father likes to relate this tale every year during the holidays...
When he was a boy, his father who was a strict, hard disciplined, enlisted military man moved the family to germany for a tour of duty. His father purchased a large old house just outside of the base.
The thing about this old house was that under the dinner table on the floor there was a button that sounded a bell. The purpose of the bell was to summon the cook or maid to the dining room. It was on the floor so you could summon the main/cook without getting up or having to stop eating. My father's father had no clue there was a button under the table and because it sounded like it was a door bell, his father thought it was some kids ringing the doorbell and running away.
Everyday for two weeks, when his father would come home and sit down for dinner, right as he would take his first bite of the meal, my father would press button with his foot. By the second week, his father finally freaked out! This was a man known for his stone cold composure and unbreakable willpower and patience. Unfortunately, my father's brother started laughing uncontrollably after grandfather had his "fit". He ended up having to tell my grandfather about the button.
My grandfather promptly, removed the food and dishes, overturned the table, and ripped up the entire wiring system under the floorboards, put the table back and reset the table and finished his meal without saying a word. The incident was never mentioned again in my grandfather's presence for over 60 years...
- mav
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