So, Can I Have Some?

Prologue.
I'll always remember that fateful night, when the four of us were sitting round a table in the wee hours of the morning pondering upon what life had in store for us and wondering what to get from the counter next. Although we had the whole night, we had already tried the whole buffet and options were running out.

The Story.
It seemed that the night had come to an inevitable end. Food at the tables were becoming scarce and even the barbecued skewered meat on bamboo sticks with a fragrant peanut dipping sauce on the side of which we had helped ourselves to generously was starting to get old. We needed something new, something fresh.

As if to answer out prayers, a smell of sweet, sweet vanilla and eggs wafted through the air like a siren's song and we found ourselves craning our necks in desperate search of the source. The sight of flapjacks being flipped skillfully by the master chef was enough to drive us mad with desire. Utterly entranced by the scent, one amongst us set forth bravely, plate in hand to procure the fluffy delights.

The chef, surprised by his approach, gave the initial refusal to share the bounty, claiming that it was meant for the breakfast menu. No doubt he already had other plans in mind for his hotcakes, probably one that involved a staff-only room and new age music. However, our young adventurer was undeterred and saw through his trickery, for it was but three in the morning and breakfast did not begin till seven. Without skipping a beat, he replied, "So, can I have some?"

It seems that the pluckiness of youth was too much for this stubborn man to bear and he reluctantly parted with the tasty morsels. The young boy, now made a man, returned in triumph with a steaming plate of pancakes and was warmly welcomed by our jubilant cheers of victory. Till this day, I can still remember my first bite into those wheels of joy, fluffy and syrupy and all.

It was like manna from heaven.

Epilogue.
The table beside us made an attempt to get their share of pancakes too, no doubt jealous of our success and celebration. However, they were too late, for the chef was not to be determined not to be foiled twice. What's more, they lacked the vigour and spirit of our merry bunch and as expected, returned empty-plated.

As for us, we did try for a second helping but it was too late, for the siren had disappeared into the depths along with the bag of pancake mix. Pancakes just never seemed the same after that. Yes, we still enjoyed some "decent" ones here and there in the months after but incomparable they were, to those we had that night.

The incident, which we decided to call "So, Can I Have Some" also became a frequent topic in our conversations but for reasons unknown, none of us ever suggested returning to the place. Maybe we thought that once was enough, or maybe we were afraid, yes afraid, of disappointment. What is certain however, is that none of us will ever forget that night.