I was seventeen, working as a waiter.. Families had been coming on the same week each summer for generations. Many of the employees were regulars too, so we knew a lot of the guests by sight. Some we knew by name. Others by reputation. The guests arrived on Saturday to stay the week. The waiters lined up, ready to carry bags and earn the standard one-dollar tip. Sometimes it was fifty cents. If we got lucky, two dollars.. This was the week the Fish Man was to arrive. We didn't know his real name. It was said he made a fortune in some sort of fish-related business. But more importantly, he was a twenty-dollar tipper.
There were five waiters and only one Fish Man per year. If it was your turn in line, it was like winning a small lottery (彩票).That summer, I got the Fish Man. He was a big man, bright red hair, easy smile, and a big belly. I didn't talk to the Fish Man much. None of his bags were unusually heavy, so I did the job easily. He drew a twenty from the wallet, smiled and said, "thanks." .
Soon the money was spent. But I never forgot the Fish Man. The whole point of tipping was lost at the twenty dollar level.. It was as if he was giving a riddle: "Why did I give you so much money? I worked on the riddle for years. Sometimes I thought I had the answer, but the thought always changed.
I am the same age as the Fish Man now. I often think of him. I'm sure all the waiters have found different answers by now. The one thing I can say for sure is that the Fish Man got his money's worth from me. Maybe this holiday seas on would be a good time to save your words of wisdom and just be the Fish Man..
A. Do something nice for someone who hasn't done anything to earn it.
B. Most of the guests were regulars.
C. There was something else going on.
D. I thought the Fish Man was showing off.
E. There was no explanation for the huge over-tip.
F. But this week was special.
G.I went back to my office, eager to celebrate my luck.
