| He needed to begin seated. Licking his lips, he lined the jars up then took out a teaspoon he reserved especially for the purpose. Removing the lids, he laid them carefully beside each jar. Then he began to consume their contents: hot chilli pickle: one, two, three, four – eleven in all. His companions watched in awe. A woman nearly fainted. Finally finished, he was ready. He lay back and breathed out long and hard, continuing to inhale and exhale as deeply as possible. The hot air balloon started to rise. "Ooohhh....," said his passengers – amazed instead now by the view. |
