Billy Bird's Wiener
Along about 1978 myself, Steve Menshouse and Rob Webb ventured into the old Russell YMCA one night about 1:30 AM for breakfast after a vigorous night of dancing with some old ladies at Culligans in Ironton, Ohio. That in itself is a whole different story.
Of course we all three ordered the beef steak. As we sat there discussing what a lovely evening we had been having thus far, in walked Billy Bird. Now, Billy Bird was an old derelict that hung out in downtown Russell and was most likely homeless. He was missing one eye and the other one rolled around in his head. I have no earthly idea how he could see, but he did. He was hunchbacked and always was filthy but seemed to have money. We had seen him eating at the YMCA on many occasions.
Well, the three of us were somewhat intoxicated and we watched as Billy sat down to see what he had ordered. On his plate was probably the biggest Kielbasa sausage that you could imagine. I can't recall which one of us said " Let's odd man and the loser has to eat whatever is left of Billy Bird's wiener after he leaves". The thought of this was not very appealing but we decided that each of us would put up $20.00. That way whoever lost the odd man not only got a full stomach with the addition of Billy Bird's wiener but would profit $40.00.
Steve Menshouse lost and we patiently sat there waiting. Rob and I were, of course, hoping Billy wasn't very hungry. Finally after what seemed like an eternity, Billy Bird stood up. We could see half a wiener left on his plate. Rob and I were concerned that he might roll it up in a napkin and take it with him. Steve would still get the money. As we were conversing Billy walked out, without the wiener. As if he had done it a million times before, Steve Menshouse calmly walked over and sat down at Billy Bird's table. He commenced to eat the wiener. I tried to get a side bet going with Rob on whether or not he could finish the whole thing. Rob wouldn't bet. A wise decision on his part as Mr. Menshouse scarffed down the whole wiener in short order.
Of course we all three ordered the beef steak. As we sat there discussing what a lovely evening we had been having thus far, in walked Billy Bird. Now, Billy Bird was an old derelict that hung out in downtown Russell and was most likely homeless. He was missing one eye and the other one rolled around in his head. I have no earthly idea how he could see, but he did. He was hunchbacked and always was filthy but seemed to have money. We had seen him eating at the YMCA on many occasions.
Well, the three of us were somewhat intoxicated and we watched as Billy sat down to see what he had ordered. On his plate was probably the biggest Kielbasa sausage that you could imagine. I can't recall which one of us said " Let's odd man and the loser has to eat whatever is left of Billy Bird's wiener after he leaves". The thought of this was not very appealing but we decided that each of us would put up $20.00. That way whoever lost the odd man not only got a full stomach with the addition of Billy Bird's wiener but would profit $40.00.
Steve Menshouse lost and we patiently sat there waiting. Rob and I were, of course, hoping Billy wasn't very hungry. Finally after what seemed like an eternity, Billy Bird stood up. We could see half a wiener left on his plate. Rob and I were concerned that he might roll it up in a napkin and take it with him. Steve would still get the money. As we were conversing Billy walked out, without the wiener. As if he had done it a million times before, Steve Menshouse calmly walked over and sat down at Billy Bird's table. He commenced to eat the wiener. I tried to get a side bet going with Rob on whether or not he could finish the whole thing. Rob wouldn't bet. A wise decision on his part as Mr. Menshouse scarffed down the whole wiener in short order.