The Special Man





The humor in this story might be lost on those who haven’t been in New Orleans long enough to understand some of the cheesy television advertisements that this city has been famous for, but I feel the need to tell it anyway.

Today was graduation day for many of the colleges in the city, the most notable Tulane University. Every year, myself being in the hotel business, I get to participate in the hosting of the numerous mostly Northeastern families that come down to celebrate this proud and momentous occasion. Many of them will ask, “How do you get to the university?” I know which one they’re talking about but I always ask them tongue in cheek, “Which one?” “Tulane,” they say as if there are no others.

The Tulane University website hosted a live video feed of the graduation commencement ceremony which I presented on the computer monitor at the concierge desk for anyone to see if they wanted. I had the chance to observe some of it myself between guests. Their keynote speakers included President George H.W. Bush and President Clinton. Ellen DeGeneres made a surprise appearance and speech wearing her bathrobe. Unfortunately, audio speakers are not connected to this particular computer but I can just imagine how funny her comments must have been.

I started thinking about who the keynote speakers would have been at say, Southern University New Orleans. The first one to come to mind was the Special Man, you know the man from the Frankie and Johnny’s furniture store commercials. I could just picture it:

GRADUATE
I need a college degree.

FRANKIE
Do you have any credit?

GRADUATE
I’m on social security and welfare.

FRANKIE
(pointing)
You need to see the Special Man.

SPECIAL MAN
(sitting in his chair smoking a cigar)
Let her have it.










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