Patrick's Patties and the Gender Dilemma

It’s a warm sunny summer afternoon when Archbold decides to go grab a bite to eat. His favorite restraunt is just around the corner, so he decides to walk there. He is taking everything in as he walks to Patrick’s Patties and firmly decides that he will request to be seated outside to eat. Just as he turns the corner with the restraunt in clear view he spots Lakshmi Chaudhry. She is a short Indian woman who is very opinionated. Archbold quickly ducks behind a taller man walking the same way. It’s to late; Chaudhry has spotted him from across the street. Archbold tries to act as if he does not see her, but there is no hiding from this situation. She darts into traffic without looking both ways, almost causing a wreck, and sprints towards Archbold unharmed. Out of breathe and overexcited she shouts at Archbold “Hey, I saw you from across the street and wanted to say hi. So hi. Are you about to eat? I was going to eat also. I love Patrick’s Patties lets eat here.” Archbold forced a smile, and reluctantly agreed to allow Chaudhry to intrude on what was suppose to be a peaceful lunch outside by himself.

Chaudhry did not stop talking, even for long enough to allow her questions to be answered. A non-stop flurry of words brushed over Archbold as he disinterestedly nodded and thought to himself. The barrage of expression halted long enough for the waiter to ask what they wanted to eat, and for him to bring the two burgers to them. Meaningless small talk went on until she caught his attention at the mention of his work “The Death Of Pretty.” He knew of her work so he politely brought up a piece that closely mirrored his, titled “Men Growing Up to be Boys.” Slowly he started to become more interested in what Chaudhry had to say. Archbold began realizing just how similar the two works were. Each of their thoughts about why the opposite sex was declining in desirability came down to advertising. Both wanted the world to get back to the good days where women wanted to be pretty instead of hot, and Men to take more responsibility. As the conversation went on both realized that they agreed on every point about their gender and each other’s. The lunch ended with a pleasant exchange of goodbyes, and contact information. Archbold left having felt guilty about trying to avoid Chaudhry earlier, but was pleasantly surprised that someone with a much different background would have so many of the same views.