“Another is that there is no smoking permitted here. In the 'Old Country', in most eating establishments, liqueur would not be openly offered, however, there would be a communal Hooker pipe placed in the center of the table. Most likely there would be some high quality hashish in the bowl. Some of my people prefer that mild drug to wine, but I would rather have a drink.”

Joseph and Richard both commented on the quality of the food and agreed that the wine really enhanced the meal and could not see where a drug and the smoke would add anything to its flavor.

“I can’t think of anything that would improve this evening more.” Worthington said. “A Water pipe, might add a bit of ‘local color’ and atmosphere, but the food, the ambiance and the company are entirely sufficient. Fazzi, I don’t recall when I have spent a more delightful evening.”

“Now, Richard, there I would have to disagree with you.” Fazzi said. “There are two additional things that come to mind, and here comes one of them now.” The waiter approached the table and with much ‘showmanship’ poured hot steaming, black Turkish coffee into small glasses set in silver holders from an old highly ornate silver coffee pot. “That pot is called a ‘Fin Jon’. You will find one like it, well maybe not as fancy, in almost every Arab household that I know. No true Arab would drink anything else but Turkish coffee. I suggest you at least try this. I’m sure that here you could request decaf or ‘filter’ coffee if you prefer. However, in the future if you are to deal with us Arabs, you will find that deals are made and sealed over a Fin Jon.”

They both opted to try the ‘Turkish Coffee’ and were not disappointed as it added the crowning touch to the meal. “Sip it slowly,” Fazzi directed. They drank the hot sweet coffee and munched on sweet Baklava as they sank back into the soft cushions and enjoyed the coffee and conversation. Fazzi asked Worthington questions about investing and how Wall Street really works, and Richard gave him his number one sales pitch along with telling him stories of some of the more bizarre things that happened on the street. Along with being charming, Richard was able to get Fazzi to relax and to laugh at some of his stories. Soon the two men became fast friends.

With Joseph translating some words and phrases now and then the three men really got to enjoy each other’s company. Richard inquired about how much Fazzi and his friends were prepared to invest. Fazzi mentioned that for a start--- perhaps half to three quarters of a million. He was hoping to attract some oilmen to come into the investment club with him. He told him that most of the profits made would be donated to Cultural, Educational and Medical facilities in the Middle East as well as to several Arab institutions here in the United States.

“Ahhhh, so, am I right in assuming that you want this “Club” handled like a Charity?” he asked. “Something along the lines of a ‘Catholic Charities’ type of operation.”

“Yes, something similar to that is what I had in mind.” Fazzi said. “You see, most of my friends and I have made it ‘big’ in America and we feel the need to give some of it back as well as send some help back to our families and friends in the old countries