Kocsis Irma: A tour of our Locals. (A very quick one) - Our Budapest (Budapest, 1993)
Királynő Falatozó PJT Queen Snack-Bar XIV. Erzsébet királynő útja 741 A A small pub on Erzsébet királyné útja. The boss says: “This is a small pub as you see, a couple of tables and that’s it. 1 didn’t want anything bigger. We keep our regulars’ favourite chairs reserved: look at the plaques - T. T. L, that’s the actor's younger brother, there’s six of them altogether you know, he’s our advertisement. Our favourite. Here he is”, and he pulls out a calendar for 1977, with a photograph of Lehel and a glamour puss. The lady’s pot-bellied and in her birthday suit. “Zoltán Forgós got a plaque, and Feri Schöff, and Gyula, the biggest leather-merchant in Budapest, often comes in, and that’s where Sad-face Pista usually sits, there, under that Clnicum poster.” +Hermina XIV. Nagy Lajos király út 217 The cubic dream of an Ybl-prize winner architect on Kassay tér. A renowned place for striking up acquaintances. There is no charge for admission. Elderly ladies sip Coca-Colas, the band is getting ready to play, they are pulling the canvas cover off the drum. Snatches of conversation drift our way: “Béluska, you ravishing man, you’re the handsomest waiter here, bring me an unicum this time instead of a beer.” “Well, look who’s here”, says the old lady to a podgy man in a suit, "and where have you been all this time, in the nick or on the make?” “Here, there and in the nick.” “Did you have anyone to bring you clean undies?" “Why, look, there’s Isaura, she’ll drive me wild, that girl, she’ll cold-shoulder her own best friend, d’you know she picked someone up only yesterday?” Isaura is waiting for Ramses. Ramses doesn’t have to wait for buses, Ramses is well- heeled. He arrives, a slim Arab in a silk shirt with a floral pattern. The amorous ladies make a big fuss of him. The musicians-one of them had an ear cut off not so long ago-begin to play. Dancing begins. A granddad with his tongue hanging out takes the floor with one lady after the other, nimble hands groping 58
